How to relieve joint pain with Devil's Claw

To deal with the benefits of topical devil's claw for joint pain, it is useful to have some knowledge about joints, what joint pain is, what its possible causes are.

What are joints 

Joints are anatomical structures that connect two or more bones, their surfaces interconnected by connective tissues. The joints of the human body are the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, and allow the bones of the skeleton to move.

What are joints pains

Joint pain can manifest itself through discomfort, soreness or actual pain in any of the joints of the body. This is a common disorder and can occur for several reasons. 

It requires further medical attention in the following cases:

• the area around the joint is swollen, red, tender or warm to the touch;
• the pain persists for three days or more;
• you have a fever but no other signs of flu.

It is advisable to seek emergency assistance in the following cases:

• a serious injury,
• the joint appears deformed,
• swelling of the joint occurs suddenly,
• the joint is completely still,
• joint pains are severe.

In cases not listed with mild pain, it is possible to act in ways that we will go into later. 

Causes of joint pain

There are several causes of joint pain:

• injury or accident,
• chronic inflammation,
• diseases such as arthritis, bursitis, lupus, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and many others.

Inflammation of joints

If joint pain is caused by inflammation such as arthritis, bursitis or tendonitis, it is possible to help by improving nutrition. Avoid all pro-inflammatory foods such as sugars, processed foods, sausages, gluten and dairy products. Increase consumption of anti-inflammatory foods such as omega 3-rich foods (fish and nuts), seasonal fruit and vegetables, and spices such as turmeric and ginger. In the acute phase, relief is possible with a natural topical remedy.

Nature's remedies for joint pain relief

In nature there are several remedies that can help relieve joint pain: Turmeric, Boswellia, Glucosamine, Magnesium, to name but a few. In this article we focus on one of the best-known remedies for this purpose: Devil's claw.

Devil’s Claw

Devil's claw is a perennial herbaceous plant native to tropical Africa. Its extract is traditionally used both as a dietary supplement and for topical use, both of which have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, to combat inflammation and pain, which are often related to arthritis, rheumatism, muscle pain, and inflammation of ligaments and tendons.

Devil's Claw, due to its contribution of plant compounds called iridoid glycosides, particularly harpagoside, is regarded as a potential remedy for inflammatory conditions.

It is interesting to consider the possibility of a synergistic action by combining topical application with supplementation, subject of course to consultation with your doctor.

Sources and insights

• PubMed, Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety
• PubMed, A review of the biological and potential therapeutic actions of Harpagophytum procumbens