
Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
Photo: Roger Culos · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Skeletal
- 3 conditions
- Licensed photo
Overview
Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a trailing perennial native to southern Africa, named for its hooked, woody fruits. Its tuber has long been used in traditional medicine for pain, fever, and stomach complaints; MSK says no scientific evidence supports its use for digestive disorders. Today it is mostly taken for joint and back pain; MSK says small studies suggest it may help osteoarthritis of the hip or knee and back pain, but larger studies are needed.
Traditional uses & properties
Joint Pain (traditional use): Traditionally used for pain and stiffness in arthritis and muscle aches; MSK says small studies suggest benefit for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee and for back pain, and that larger studies are needed. Digestion (traditional use): Traditionally taken for poor digestion; MSK says no scientific evidence supports this use.
Safety & precautions
Gastric/Duodenal Ulcers: Not advised if you have active peptic ulcers. Gallstones or Pregnancy: Use cautiously under professional guidance; devil’s claw may stimulate digestive secretions and uterine activity.
Educational reference only - not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Full disclaimer.
Drug interactions
Evidence on devil's claw interactions is limited and partly conflicting. [1, 2]
- Warfarin
- A 2000 review lists devil's claw among products with documented reports of possible warfarin interactions, while stressing that most such evidence comes from laboratory work, animal studies or single case reports. [3]
- Medicines broken down by liver enzymes
- MSK notes that devil's claw root inhibited several CYP enzymes in the laboratory but that other data suggest this is not clinically relevant. A 2011 laboratory study of ten commercial preparations concluded they are unlikely to change CYP function to a clinically meaningful degree. [1, 2]
- P glycoprotein substrates
- MSK reports that devil's claw changes the activity of this drug transporter. Significance for patients is unknown. [1]
How to read this section: each entry is HerbMate's summary of what the cited sources report. Words such as "may", "theoretical" or "in laboratory or animal studies" mean the effect has not been confirmed in people, and "case report" means it was seen in one or a few patients. A medicine that is not listed here has not been shown to be safe with this herb. The numbers in brackets link to the sources at the foot of the page.
Habitat
Found mainly in Namibia, Botswana, and parts of South Africa, devil’s claw is a protected plant due to overharvesting in the wild. It prefers clay or sandy soils and disturbed areas like roadsides. It is grown from seed in spring, with young tubers harvested in autumn and carefully separated from the roots to preserve medicinal potency.
Sources
The interaction notes and the statements on this page that name a source were written by HerbMate from these references, which were last checked in October 2026. They are summaries, not medical advice; ask a pharmacist about your own medicines.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering, About Herbs: Devil's Claw
- Modarai M, et al. The interaction potential of herbal medicinal products... devil's claw preparations. J Pharm Pharmacol, 2011 (PubMed 21749392)
- Heck AM, et al. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm, 2000 (PubMed 10902065)
Traditionally used for
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Frequently asked questions
What is Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as follows: Joint Pain (traditional use): Traditionally used for pain and stiffness in arthritis and muscle aches; MSK says small studies suggest benefit for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee and for back pain, and that larger studies are needed. Digestion (traditional use): Traditionally taken for poor digestion; MSK says no scientific evidence supports this use.
What safety cautions apply to Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)?
Gastric/Duodenal Ulcers: Not advised if you have active peptic ulcers. Gallstones or Pregnancy: Use cautiously under professional guidance; devil’s claw may stimulate digestive secretions and uterine activity.





