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| this research described its effectiveness in reducing inflammation and swelling in experimentally induced arthritis. |
| After the plant's active component, harpagoside, was identified, it was tested in rigorous pharmacological screening trials that validated its anti-inflammatory properties. Wholeroot preparations were found to be superior to pure harpagoside, and both were determined to be safe. In Herbal Tonic Therapies, Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., reported: |
| Recent studies have found that devil's claw preparations are generally well-suited for the treatment of chronic rheumatism, arthritis, gout, spondylosis-induced lower back pain, neuralgia, headaches and lumbago. One study found that its anti-inflammatory effects equaled those of pyrazolone derivatives and the commonly prescribed antiarthritic phenylbutazone. Relief of pain is probably a side benefit of reduced inflammation. Improved motility in the joints is often reported, as well as improved feelings of well-being. Currently, physicians in Europe are injecting devil's claw extract directly into arthritic joints, where it acts much like cortisone in terms of reducing inflammation. As is the case with most arthritis treatments, not everybody benefits, but there are enough who do to warrant further investigation of this plant and to recommend it as a possible treatment option. |
| The Canadian Bureau of Drug Research has shown that devil's claw has no known toxicity. |
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