Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri Harpagophytum has a unique hooked fruit from which its colloquial name, devil’s claw, is derived. The roots of this plant are most commonly used to alleviate problems with the joints, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatism, but can also be used to reduce pain and fever, and to stimulate digestion. The key ingredients are harpagoside and beta-sitosterol, which possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties that alleviate pain in the case of those suffering from pain in the joints.

 

The British herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes devil's claw as having analgesic, sedative and diuretic properties, and it is also known to modulate cholesterol and uric-acid levels in the blood.