Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) grows in the semi-arid savannahs of southern Africa – in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Angola, mainly in the Kalahari. To this day it can hardly be cultivated; practically everything on the market comes from wild harvesting.
Where the name comes from
Not from the root, but from the fruit: it bears woody, multiply branched arms with barbed hooks. These fruits catch in the hooves and fur of passing animals – which is how the plant spreads. The botanical genus name Harpagophytum literally means «hook plant».
What is harvested
It is not the main root that is used, but the storage tubers attached to it, which sit up to half a metre deep in the sandy soil and allow the plant to survive the dry season. Sustainable harvesting means, in concrete terms: the main root stays in the ground, only individual side tubers are removed, and the hole is closed again. If this is not done, the plant dies. Because demand has put the species under pressure, trade is subject to control mechanisms, and in Namibia organised harvester programmes work according to fixed rules.
The bitter taste
The tuber is distinctly bitter. The cause is iridoid glycosides, above all harpagoside, to which extracts are standardised. If you brew the root as a tea, you notice it immediately – one of the reasons why the capsule form is so common.
Our devil’s claw
Our organic harpagophytum contains ground root tuber of certified organic origin in plant-based capsules, without fillers. You will find it under Botanicals, and by topic under Bones & Joints – where you will also find willow bark, MSM and turmeric.
Note
Bitter substances stimulate the production of gastric juice; use is not advisable if you have stomach or duodenal ulcers or gallstones. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet; do not exceed the stated daily dose. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a pre-existing condition or take medication, seek medical advice before use.
