Kamangu in Zulu.

It has been recommended for treating a wide variety of conditions: Cholecystitis; Cholelithiasiss; Gout; Obesity; Osteoarthritis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Dyspepsia; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemia. It is a remedy from the Kalahari desert in Namibia with a well deserved reputation as an effective rheumatic remedy. A group of glycosides called harpagosides found in the root show a marked anti-inflammatory effect.

Devil’s claw is also considered by herbalists to be a potent bitter. Bitter principles, like the iridoid glycosides found in devil’s claw, stimulate the stomach to increase the production of acid, thereby helping to improve digestion. In the west, Devil's claw has been recommended for treating a wide variety of conditions including diseases of the liver, kidneys, and bladder, as well as allergies, arteriosclerosis, lumbago, gastrointestinal disturbances, menstrual difficulties, neuralgia, headache, climacteric (change of life) problems, heartburn, nicotine poisoning, and above all, rheumatism and arthritis.

Externally, devil's claw root is made into ointments for skin rashes, wounds and the like. Diabetes, hepatitis, kidney and bladder deficiency, nervous malaise and respiratory ailments are all treated with devil's claw preparations. Insofar as hardening of the arteries pertains to complications of aging, devil's claw finds application. There is some concern in the industry about the difficulty of obtaining good devil's claw root; only certain portions of the root contain active constituents, and often the whole root is supplied to manufacturers. To help circumvent this problem, standardized preparations are now being produced.

Properties:

Anodyne/analgesic; anti-arthritic;Anti-inflammatory; antirheumatic