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If you’re looking at the devil’s claw plant, you’re almost certainly dealing with an aching hip, a stiff knee, or a back that won’t let up. So here’s the honest answer first: there’s reasonable evidence that devil’s claw can take the edge off osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain, and it tends to be gentler on the stomach than anti-inflammatory drugs.
It is not a cure, the effect is modest, and it’s genuinely not safe for everyone. That combination — useful, limited, and worth a few cautions — is the real story, and it’s more helpful than the “miracle root with no downsides” version you’ll find elsewhere.
This guide covers what the devil’s claw plant actually does, how to take it, and who should steer clear.
What is the devil’s claw plant?
Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a low-growing plant native to the Kalahari region of southern Africa — mainly Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. The name comes from its fruit, which dries into a woody, hooked structure that catches on the feet of passing animals. People in southern Africa have used the root for generations to ease joint pain, fever, and digestive complaints [Mncwangi, 2012].
Where it grows and the part that’s used
The plant produces a large primary tuber and smaller secondary storage roots that branch off it. Those secondary roots are the medicinal part. They’re harvested, sliced, and dried, and they taste intensely bitter — which, as it turns out, matters for one of its traditional uses.
The active compounds
Devil’s claw root contains a group of compounds called iridoid glycosides. The best known is harpagoside, alongside harpagide and procumbide. Harpagoside is the one manufacturers measure and standardize their products to, and most of the research uses it as the yardstick for an effective dose. In laboratory studies, these compounds appear to dampen inflammatory signaling, which is the leading explanation for why the root helps with pain — though the exact mechanism in the body is still being worked out [Brien, 2006].
What the devil’s claw plant is actually good for
The evidence is strongest for two things: osteoarthritis and low back pain. It’s much weaker, or absent, for most of the other uses you’ll see claimed online.
Evidence at a glance
| Use | Strength of evidence | Bottom line |
| Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, spine) | Moderate | Reduces pain with adequate harpagoside dose |
| Chronic low back pain | Moderate | Beats placebo; short-term relief |
| Poor appetite / mild indigestion | Traditional / approved use | Based on bitter action, not large trials |
| Cholesterol, arteriosclerosis | Insufficient | Don’t use it for this |
| Gout / uric acid | Insufficient | Use proven gout treatment instead |
| Allergies, menopause, kidney/liver | Insufficient | Traditional only; not supported |
Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, and spine)
This is the best-supported use. A systematic review of clinical trials found moderate evidence that a devil’s claw powder standardized to about 60 mg of harpagoside per day reduces pain from osteoarthritis of the spine, hip, and knee [Gagnier, 2004]. “Moderate” is an honest word here — it means the effect is real and consistent enough to take seriously, but the trials weren’t all large or long, so the certainty is limited rather than ironclad.
What that looks like in practice: less day-to-day joint pain and, for some people, easier movement after several weeks of consistent use. It works best for the nagging, chronic ache of wear-and-tear arthritis rather than a sudden acute flare. Devil’s claw is one of several traditional antirheumatic herbs, and it tends to help most when paired with the basics — staying active and an anti-inflammatory eating pattern.
Low back pain
A Cochrane review — among the most rigorous types of evidence summary — looked at herbal treatments for low back pain and concluded that devil’s claw, at a standardized dose of 50 to 100 mg of harpagoside daily, reduces pain more than a placebo. In one trial, a 60 mg daily dose relieved pain about as well as a low daily dose (12.5 mg) of the prescription anti-inflammatory rofecoxib [Oltean, 2014]. The reviewers were clear that larger, better-designed studies are still needed, and that the comparison was against a low drug dose. Still, for short-term relief of chronic low back pain, this is a respectable showing for a herb.
Digestion and appetite
This use comes from the root’s bitterness rather than from large trials. Bitter compounds stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, and on that basis Germany’s Commission E and the European ESCOP both list devil’s claw for poor appetite and mild indigestion. The evidence here is more traditional and mechanistic than clinical, so treat it as a reasonable secondary use, not a proven treatment.
Claims that aren’t well supported
The older internet write-ups on devil’s claw tend to pile on benefits. A few deserve a clear-eyed look, because the evidence doesn’t back them:
- Lowering cholesterol or “reversing arteriosclerosis.” There’s no good human evidence that devil’s claw meaningfully lowers cholesterol or reverses arterial disease. Don’t use it for heart health; if cholesterol is your real concern, look at options with actual evidence behind them.
- Gout and uric acid. Despite a long folk reputation as a “blood cleanser” for gout, there’s little solid clinical evidence that devil’s claw lowers uric acid or treats gout. Gout has effective, proven treatments — see a clinician.
- Allergies, menopause, kidney and liver disease. These appear in traditional use but lack the trial evidence to recommend devil’s claw for them. Allergies, for one, have their own evidence-based prevention and treatment approaches.
Calling this out isn’t pedantry. Using a herb for something it doesn’t treat means a real condition goes unmanaged.
How to take devil’s claw
Dose: look for the harpagoside number
The single most useful thing to know is that the harpagoside content is what matters, not the milligrams of “root” on the front of the bottle. Trials that worked used products delivering roughly 50 to 100 mg of harpagoside per day; the total extract was often in the range of 600 to 2,600 mg daily [Healthline / Drugs.com]. Products providing less than about 30 mg of harpagoside a day performed poorly for hip and knee osteoarthritis [Gagnier, 2004]. Check the supplement facts panel for a standardized harpagoside amount — if it isn’t listed, you have no way to know whether you’re taking an effective dose.
Forms — capsules, tea, tincture, and topicals
Standardized capsules or tablets are the easiest way to hit a known harpagoside dose, which is why most studies use them. Tea (infusion) made from the dried root is traditional but very bitter, and you can’t easily gauge the harpagoside dose. Tinctures are also available. Some people use topical preparations on a sore joint; the evidence for topical use is thin, so think of it as a supplement to oral use rather than a substitute.
If you’re weighing anti-inflammatory herbs against each other, turmeric is another commonly used option, though it has its own evidence profile. Either way, follow the dosing on the specific product you buy, since concentrations vary widely between brands.
How long before it works
Devil’s claw is not a fast-acting painkiller. Most trials ran for several weeks, and people who benefit usually notice the difference over a few weeks of daily use rather than the same day. If you’ve taken an adequately dosed product consistently for about eight weeks with no change, it’s probably not going to help you, and it’s worth reassessing with a clinician.
Side effects and who should avoid devil’s claw
The original claim that devil’s claw is “completely free of side effects” is simply not true, and believing it can get someone hurt. The root is reasonably well tolerated for most healthy adults in the short term — and in head-to-head terms it tends to cause fewer problems than long-term NSAIDs — but it has a real side-effect and interaction profile.
Common side effects
The most common side effect is mild digestive upset, most often diarrhea, along with occasional nausea or stomach discomfort. Headache and a ringing in the ears have also been reported [WebMD]; [Drugs.com].
Who should not take it
Skip devil’s claw, or talk to a doctor first, if any of these apply to you:
- Stomach or duodenal ulcers, or frequent heartburn. Because it stimulates stomach acid, devil’s claw can aggravate ulcers and reflux.
- Gallstones. It can increase bile production, which may worsen gallstone problems — use only under medical advice.
- Diabetes. Devil’s claw may lower blood sugar, which can add to the effect of diabetes medication and push levels too low. Monitor closely if you use it.
- Heart or blood pressure conditions. It may affect heart rate and blood pressure, so check with a clinician first.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid it. Devil’s claw is considered possibly unsafe in pregnancy, and there isn’t enough safety data for breastfeeding.
- Before surgery. Because of possible effects on blood sugar and bleeding, stop devil’s claw at least two weeks before scheduled surgery.
Drug interactions
Devil’s claw can interact with several common medications. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before combining it with:
- Blood thinners such as warfarin. There’s a case report of unusual bruising (purpura) in a patient taking both, and devil’s claw may increase bleeding risk.
- Diabetes medications, because of the additive blood-sugar-lowering effect.
- Stomach acid reducers (for example famotidine, omeprazole), whose effect it may oppose.
- Other prescription medications, generally. Evidence is mixed on how much devil’s claw affects the liver and transport systems that process many drugs — consumer databases flag a possible effect, while a professional monograph finds little clinically meaningful impact on the main liver (CYP450) enzymes. Because the picture isn’t settled, run any new combination past a pharmacist.
When to see a doctor
Devil’s claw is for the ordinary, grinding pain of arthritis and chronic back trouble — not for warning signs that need real evaluation. See a clinician promptly, rather than reaching for a herb, if you have back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, numbness or weakness in your legs, or any loss of bladder or bowel control, or if a joint becomes hot, red, and swollen. Sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening pain also warrants a proper assessment. And if you’re already on prescription medication for pain, blood thinning, diabetes, or a heart condition, loop in your doctor or pharmacist before adding devil’s claw rather than after.
A note on sustainability
Almost all devil’s claw is still harvested from the wild in southern Africa, and over-harvesting has raised genuine conservation concerns. If you decide to use it, look for products that indicate sustainable or certified sourcing. It’s a small choice that helps keep the plant — and the livelihoods tied to it — around.
| Health Disclaimer This article is for general education and information only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Supplements and herbs can interact with medications and aren’t suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take any medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using devil’s claw or any herbal product. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, seek medical care. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the devil’s claw plant really work for arthritis?
For osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, and spine, there’s moderate-quality evidence that it reduces pain, provided the product delivers enough harpagoside (around 50–60 mg or more per day). It’s a modest effect that builds over weeks, not a cure.
How long does devil’s claw take to work?
Usually a few weeks of consistent daily use. It isn’t a same-day painkiller. If an adequately dosed product hasn’t helped after about eight weeks, it likely won’t.
Can I take devil’s claw with ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories?
Possibly, but check with a pharmacist first. Devil’s claw may affect how some drugs are absorbed or processed, and stacking pain relievers has its own risks. Many people use it specifically to reduce their reliance on NSAIDs.
Is devil’s claw safe long term?
Most studies lasted weeks to a few months, so long-term safety isn’t well established. It’s reasonable for time-limited use; for ongoing pain, work with a clinician on a plan rather than taking it indefinitely on your own.
Who should not take devil’s claw?
Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or who has peptic ulcers, gallstones, diabetes, or heart or blood pressure conditions, and anyone on blood thinners — without medical advice first. Stop it two weeks before surgery.
References
- Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, Berman BM, Bombardier C, Gagnier JJ. Herbal medicine for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;(12):CD004504. View source
- Gagnier JJ, Chrubasik S, Manheimer E. Harpagophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: a systematic review. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2004;4:13. View source
- Brien S, Lewith GT, McGregor G. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety. J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12(10):981–993. View source
- NCCIH. Herb–Drug Interactions: What the Science Says (December 2024). View source
- WebMD. Devil’s Claw: Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing (reviewed Jan 2026). View source
- Drugs.com. Devil’s Claw — Professional Monograph (updated Jul 2025). View source
- RxList. Devil’s Claw: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions. View source
- Mncwangi N, Chen W, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM, Gericke N. Devil’s Claw — a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012. View source
