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 level teaspoon (about 4.5 g) of chopped root per 300 ml
- Solvent:
- room-temperature water, or pour on boiling water and leave for 8 hours (overnight)
- Shelf life:
- drink over the course of the day in 3 portions
- Target compounds:
- iridoid glycosides (harpagoside, harpagide) enter the water; a long soaking time replaces boiling
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 — Traditional use for mild joint pain and digestive complaints; the posology includes a macerate.
- 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 — Extracts standardised to 50 mg of harpagoside daily were better than placebo for chronic back pain; low to moderate quality of evidence.
Related
Devil's claw — Herb card
Cold maceration — Processing method detail