Devils Claw Root 1oz
Historically, devil's claw has been used to treat pain, liver and kidney problems, fever, and malaria. It has also been used in ointments to heal sores, boils, and other skin problems.
Devil's claw was introduced to Europe in the early 1900s, where the dried roots have been used to restore appetite, relieve heartburn, and reduce pain and inflammation.
Today, devil's claw is used widely in Germany and France to fight inflammation or relieve arthritis pain, headache, and low back pain. Studies suggest that devil's claw can help fight inflammation.
Osteoarthritis
Several studies show that taking devil's claw for 8 to 12 weeks can reduce pain and improve physical functioning in people with osteoarthritis. One 4-month study of 122 people with knee and hip osteoarthritis compared devil's claw and a leading medication for pain relief. The people who took devil's claw had as much pain relief as the people who took the medication. Those who took devil's claw had fewer side effects and needed fewer pain relievers throughout the study.
An analysis of 14 studies using devil's claw to treat arthritis found that higher quality studies showed devil's claw may relieve joint pain. And a review of 12 studies using devil's claw for treating arthritis or low back pain found that devil's claw was at least moderately effective for arthritis of the spine, hip, and knee.
Back and neck pain
Preliminary evidence suggests that devil's claw may help relieve neck and low back pain. In a small study of 63 people with mild-to-moderate back, neck, or shoulder pain, taking a standardized extract of devil's claw for 4 weeks provided moderate relief from muscle pain. In a larger study of 197 men and women with chronic low back pain, those who took devil's claw every day for a month said they had less pain and needed fewer painkillers than those who took placebo.
A 54-week study compared 38 people who took devil's claw with 35 people who took the pain reliever rofecoxib (Vioxx). For these people, devil's claw worked as well as Vioxx to relieve pain.
Other uses
Many professional herbalists suggest that devil's claw can help treat upset stomach, loss of appetite, headaches, allergies, and fever. Topical preparations of devil's claw are also applied to the skin to heal sores, ulcers, boils, and skin lesions.
Precautions
People with stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or gallstones should not take devil's claw. Studies show taking devil's claw may vause gastrointestinal side effects.
People with heart disease, high blood pressure, or low blood pressure should ask their doctors before taking devil's claw.
Possible Interactions
Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants and antiplatelets): In theory, devil's claw may increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), or clopidogrel (Plavix).
Medications for diabetes: Devil's claw may lower blood sugar. If you take medications to treat diabetes, taking devil's claw may raise the risk of developing low blood sugar.
Other medications: Devil's claw may interact with other medications that are broken down by the liver. If you take any medications, ask your doctor before taking devil's claw.