Devil's Claw [Harpogophytum Procumbens]

[Guest guest]

Devil's Claw [Harpogophytum Procumbens]

http://www.ferlowbotanicals.com/25.12.0.0.1.0.phtml

 

More and more people are succumbing to the pain of joint inflammation.

 

These are educational materials only.

By Roxanne Davies, Shared Vision Magazine, November 1995.

 

Yet while the Arthritis Society promotes aspirin as a treatment, it

consistently ignores other safe options such as diet, fasting and herbs. The

March 3,

1989 issue of the Toronto Sun claimed that, each year, 2000 Canadian seniors

die from internal bleeding and heart and kidney failure connected with

anti-arthritis drugs.

 

" Arthritis is a natural but ultimately incorrect cellular response to certain

stresses on the body, " writes Klaus Kaufmann. " No two people ever have

identical patterns or progression of symptoms. What may be needed, then, is an

adaptation program to steer the body toward healthy responses without causing

unwanted side effects. This is apparently what the herb Devil's Claw can do. "

 

Devil's Claw is a plant native to Southwest Africa, and grows in the Kalahari

Desert. Its name comes from the claw-like shape of its seed pods, which are

about the size of a hand. Natives have long used the plant to treat digestive

problems, rheumatism, arthritis, and malaria. It was discovered by a German

scientist who found it contained the same properties as the classical drug,

Phenybutazone, used to treat arthritis, but without any side effects.

 

According to Chinese medicine, Devil's Claw root is both Yin and Yang, which

is rare for herbs and is good for circulation and the heart. It contains over

40 constituents. The plant has fragile, creeping stems and when the rains

come, produces trumpet-shaped flowers. To survive the long periods of drought

that

affect the areas where it grows, Devil's Claw sends down roots as deep as a

metre into the soil, and produces brown tubers at different levels underground,

which store water. It is these secondary roots, which absorb trace minerals,

which are used as a herbal remedy.

 

Nathalie Debaty, sales and marketing manager for Ortis Labs in Europe,

recently visited Vancouver to promote the use of this herb for the pain and

inflammation of joint diseases. Her company goes to great lengths to harvest the

herb

in the best possible way to ensure effectiveness.

 

" We send our own people directly to the desert to collect the fresh roots.

The sun-dried herbs others use are subject to oxidation which diminishes its

strength. Our fresh herbs are then ground and preserved in a white wine base

with

blackcurrent bud extract. "

Documentary evidence indicates that six-out-of-ten patients obtain relief

from this remedy. It has anti-inflammatory action, reduces pain, swelling and

stiffness of inflamed joints and muscles. It also acts as a powerful detoxifier

and liver cleanser.

 

Debaty says the herb is often called the 'suppleness plant' which improves

mobility, to avoid problems with government regulations which prevent claims

being made for herbal preparations. " But some call their serious arthritis pains

like being in the grip of a Devil's Claw and they turn to that herb to help

them get through their days. There are now so many success stories from people

using Devil's Claw, it just can't be ignored any longer. "

 

To begin treatment, the herbal preparation is best taken for three weeks,

then stopped for a week. After that, one week on and one week off is a good

maintenance dose. Since there are no side effects from this herb, it can be

taken

for as long as necessary. Devil's Claw can be taken by almost anyone, although

diabetics on insulin may experience a rise in their blood sugar levels.

 

So if the pain of arthritis has you in its grip, Devil's Claw could be your

best friend. Along with a wholefood diet, nutritional supplements and

relaxation techniques, this herb can be an effective way to keep rheumatic

conditions

under control.