Parts Used: Tuberous root.
Pharmacy name: Harpagophytum root – Harpagophyti radix (formerly: Radix Harpagophyti).
Botanical description. The homeland of harpagophytum is South and South-West Africa. Local residents have long used this plant as a medicinal plant. In harpagophytum, large tuberous thickenings form on the roots. By the beginning of the rainy season, above-ground shoots grow, reaching a meter length; they extend along the ground and form bright red flowers that sit in the axils of the leaves. The fruits form lignified long branched outgrowths, equipped with hooks bent back. The name “devil’s claw” is associated with this, which is sometimes given to this plant.
Collection and preparation. For tea from harpagophytum, not fruits with claw-like outgrowths are used, but roots. The latter are dug up during flowering and dried.
active ingredients. The main active ingredient is the glycoside harpagoside. Along with it there are other glycosides and bitterness.
Healing action and application.If the natives of South Africa use harpagophytum for diseases of the gall and bladder, liver and kidneys, then in Europe it is used for diseases of the joints. Scientists have found that harpagophytum especially helps with arthrosis – a chronic joint disease of a degenerative-dystrophic nature. Since, besides him, we have practically no effective remedy against this so common ailment, harpagophytum deserves serious attention. Its action is based primarily on the anti-inflammatory properties of its components. True, more research is needed until the exact mechanism of its action is established, however, even now we already know enough to try to use the appropriate tea for a long course of treatment in diseases of the joints. Experience shows that after a few weeks there is a clear relief of pain. The use of injections from harpagophytum a allows you to combine these two types of treatment. There is also a growing body of experimental evidence regarding the successful use of harpagophytum tea against gastrointestinal disorders. This remedy seems very promising in loss of appetite, indigestion, and insufficient bile flow.
- Tea from harpagophytum: 1 teaspoon of the root is poured into 1/4 liter of boiling water and infused for about 5 hours. Dosage: 2-3 cups every day.
Side effects when used in therapeutic doses are unknown. Do not use for ulcers of the stomach and intestines.