Devil’s claw is a creeping, weedy perennial native to South Africa,
specifically to the Kalahari Desert and Namibian steppes. Also known as
harpago, grapple plant and duiwelsklou, devil’s claw has a long history
of traditional use in the region and is now an important export crop to
the West.
Reputedly introduced to Europe by a German soldier in the 18th century,
the herb has gained considerable popularity in Britain and Germany in
recent years. Today, devil’s claw root is approved as a non-prescription
analgesic for rheumatic disorders by the German Commission E, the
counterpart to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
