Tag: Harpagophytum procumbens

Originating from southern Africa, Devil's Claw has been used traditionally for centuries to address pain and inflammation. However, as with many herbal remedies, a crucial question for potential users is: Is Devil's Claw safe for the liver? The answer depends heavily on your health status, including whether you have pre-existing liver or gallbladder conditions.

While the name “devil's claw” might conjure a single image, it actually refers to two distinct plant types with different culinary and medicinal uses. A variety native to the American Southwest, *Proboscidea parviflora*, has edible pods and seeds, but the medicinal species, *Harpagophytum procumbens*, from Southern Africa, is consumed as an herbal supplement, not as a food. Understanding this crucial difference is the first step in using these plants safely and effectively.