• Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
• Human grade.
• Please be aware that if you're purchasing our dried botanicals for human use, our dried range is cut to appropriate sizes for feeding to horses.
• ♻️ Eco Note: Our packaging is recyclable and refillable.
• 🧊 Storage Tip: Keep cool and dry.

Constituents: Triterpenes, resin, flavonoids (kaempferol, luteolin), iridoid glycosides (harpagoside, harpagide, procumbide), stigmasterol, beta sitosterol, fatty acid, phenylethanols (acetoside, isoacetoside)

With its claw-like fruits covered in hooked spines, it’s easy to see how devil’s claw earned its name. In fact, animals who step on the pods often perform a “bedevilled dance” to shake them free—a fitting image for a plant whose roots have become famous for easing pain and stiffness in aching joints.

Native to the dry savannas of southern Africa, devil’s claw thrives in sandy soils and open spaces where it’s resilient against drought and competition. Once dismissed as a nuisance weed, it’s now highly valued—both by local communities who’ve used it for generations, and worldwide for its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties.

Traditional roots

Indigenous peoples of southern Africa, including Khoisan and Bantu-speaking groups, have long turned to devil’s claw for:

• Digestive troubles (thanks to its strong bitterness)
• Topical use on wounds, ulcers, and skin infections
• Fever, migraines, and blood conditions
• Pain relief for arthritis and rheumatism

Women traditionally used it during childbirth—taking small amounts to ease labour pains, or applying ointments made from fresh tubers to prepare for difficult births. Its uterine-toning effects have even been supported by modern pharmacology.

Why it works

The star compounds are iridoid glycosides - particularly harpagoside - which are linked to devil’s claw’s:

• Anti-inflammatory actions (inhibiting COX pathways, like NSAIDs)
• Analgesic(pain-relieving) qualities
• Bitter tonic effect on digestion and the gallbladder

This bitter edge not only helps the stomach and liver work better, but may also explain its link to easing arthritic conditions—since poor digestion and sluggish elimination often aggravate inflammation.

Modern uses

Today, devil’s claw is widely used in supplements and tinctures for:

• Arthritis, rheumatism, and fibrositis
• Joint pain, stiffness, and back pain
• Indigestion and poor appetite

Clinical studies show mixed but promising results: some found improved mobility and reduced pain in people with hip, knee, and back pain, while others showed more modest benefits. Differences may be down to how it’s prepared - since harpagoside can break down in the stomach, some researchers suggest enteric-coated preparations or taking it between meals for best absorption.

Beyond joint comfort

Devil’s claw continues to be explored for endometriosis, postpartum support, and inflammatory conditions more broadly. Its history as both a food medicine and a healing root reflects its versatility - and the way bitter plants often act as deep, systemic tonics.