Herb
Devil's claw
SaveA South African root used for back pain and osteoarthritis, standardized for harpagoside.
Quick verdict
A credible pain herb, especially for back and joint discomfort, with better human support than many traditional anti-inflammatory roots.
Evidence score
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
Trials and reviews suggest devil's claw can reduce low-back and osteoarthritis pain, though effect sizes vary by extract and harpagoside content.
Benefits
- May reduce low-back pain and stiffness
- Useful in some osteoarthritis protocols
- Offers non-NSAID pain support
Dosage notes
Common extract dosing ranges from 600-2400 mg/day depending on harpagoside standardization.
Side effects
- GI upset
- Diarrhea
- Bitter aftertaste
Who should be cautious
Can irritate the stomach and may not suit people with ulcers, gallstones, or anticoagulant use.
What this page cannot tell you
Standardized extracts perform better than loosely defined powders, and not all commercial products are equivalent.
Leaderboard scores
- Pain55
- Recovery35
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