How to Cook with Devil's Claw

Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), a plant native to South Africa, Namibia, and Madagascar, has been used for centuries because of the natural medicinal qualities. It's name comes from the little hooks on the plant's fruit. Devil's Claw has strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It's been used for arthritis, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, joint pain, back and neck pain, Fibromyalgia, and has been used as an appetite stimulant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Devil's Claw
• knife
• cutting board
• hot water
• tea strainer
• cup
• container to store herb
• willingness to experiment with taste

1. 
   Devil's Claw root.

   Devil's Claw comes in many forms, including root, powder, capsules, tinctures, or as a tea.

2. 
   Get out your tea pot and brew some tea. It's easy.

   Although Devil's Claw doesn't have an odor, it has a bitter taste. As a dried or fresh root supplement, you can make tea. Making tea is also a good method because it helps you to drink adequate amount of water during the day, which can also attribute to health problems.

3. 
   Using a tea strainer prevents roots from falling into your drink.

   Take the Devil's Claw root, chop it into pieces, then let it dry. Steep 1 teaspoon of chopped dry root in 2 cups of boiling water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Pour the mix into a container. Put a tea strainer on top of the cup or container to strain the roots. Cool the Devil's Claw brew.

4. 
   Devil's Claw tea is effective for relieving many symptoms.

   Another Devil's Claw tea infusion method is to pour 1.25 cups (300 ml) boiling water over 1 tsp (4.5 g) of the Devil's Claw herb. Let it steep for 8 hours, then strain. The daily dosage is 3 cups of warm tea.

5. Powdered or pieces of the Devil's Claw root can be added to a meal. Make sure to follow dosage guidelines.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient when using alternative approaches.
• Check with your doctor if you have health problems, or are taking medications.
• Get the assistance of a person specializing in alternative medicine, such as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner.
• Europe widely uses Devil's Claw.
• Cross reference all your medications for adverse interactions.
• For arthritis, use Devil's root for 2-3 months for best results (according to Germany’s Commission E).
• Devil's Claw may interfere with certain medications, such as Warfarin also called Coumadin (a blood thinner).
• High doses may cause gastrointestinal problems.
• Don't take Devil's Claw if you have ulcers, or get permission from your doctor.
• Talk to your doc if you're thinking about becoming pregnant. This herb is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
• May cause diarrhea.
• This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Resources

• How to use Astragalus as an anti-inflammatory.
• Check prescription drug reactions when using herbal supplements.
• How to get what you need from your doctor.

[krazigirl79]

on 8/18/2008 I should take a look and see if I can find some- I have chronic back and neck pain- I'm willing to try ANYTHING!