Recipe
Cold devil's claw macerate
- Herb:
- Devil's claw Harpagophytum procumbens
- Method:
- Cold maceration
- Plant part:
- Root
About 15 minBeginnerRecipe science profile
Procedure
- Put a teaspoon of cut devil's claw root into a jar and add 300 ml of water (cold, or boiling and then left to cool).
- Cover and let it stand 8 hours, ideally overnight.
- Strain through a fine sieve; the infusion is markedly bitter, honey may be added.
- Drink in three portions through the day, ideally before meals; a course of 2–4 weeks, and see a doctor if the pain persists.
Extraction
- Herb:
- 1 zarovnaná lžička (asi 4,5 g) nakrájeného kořene na 300 ml
- Solvent:
- voda pokojové teploty nebo zalité vroucí vodou a ponechané 8 hodin (přes noc)
- Shelf life:
- vypít během dne ve 3 dávkách
- Target compounds:
- iridoidní glykosidy (harpagosid, harpagid) přecházejí do vody; dlouhý čas nahrazuje var
Notes
A traditional preparation that the EMA monograph also describes. Not with gastric or duodenal ulcer, gallstones, in pregnancy or when breastfeeding; with anticoagulants and antidiabetics only in agreement with a doctor. The effect builds over 2–3 weeks.
Why it works
The bitter iridoid glycosides, above all harpagoside, dissolve well in water and a long macerate draws them out without boiling, which would partly break them down. The Cochrane review by Oltean et al. 2014 concludes that extracts standardised to 50 mg harpagoside daily relieve chronic low-back pain short-term better than placebo, though with low to moderate quality evidence; a home macerate has no defined harpagoside content, so it is a traditional drink, not a verified dose.
Literature
- EMA HMPC: Harpagophyti radix — European Union herbal monograph — Tradiční použití při lehkých kloubních bolestech a trávicích obtížích; posologie zahrnuje macerát.
- Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, Berman BM, Bombardier C, Gagnier JJ (2014): Herbal medicine for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD004504 — Extrakty standardizované na 50 mg harpagosidu denně lepší než placebo u chronické bolesti zad; nízká až střední kvalita důkazů.
Related
Devil's claw — Herb card
Cold maceration — Processing method detail