Family Name: Pedaliaceae
Botanical Name(s): Harpagophytum Procumbens
Popular Name(s): Grapple Plant
Parts Used: Dried Roots
Habitat: Devil's Claw is a native plant of southern Africa,
especially the Kalahari Desert, Namibia, and the island of Madagascar.
Description: Devil's claw is a tender trailing perennial with
tubers and many round to oval-shaped stems. The leaves have white, hairy
undersides. Solitary, red to purple flowers, shaped like trumpets appear
in spring followed by the characteristic large, hooked and claw-like
fruit.
Uses: Devil's claw is used internally to treat rheumatoid
arthritis, neuralgia and problems involving the gall bladder and
pancreas. It is also very effective in treating lower back pain, as well
as digestive problems, loss of appetite and the treatment of pain during
and after childbirth or labor. Devil's claw is used externally to treat
swollen, arthritic joints as well as boils, sores and skin ulcers.
