| Devil's claw tuber contains three
important constituents belonging to the iridoid glycoside family:
harpagoside, harpagide, and procumbide.
The secondary tubers of the herb contain twice as much harpagoside
as the primary tubers. As such, these secondary tubers contain
the preferable concentration of active ingredients.
Harpagoside and other iridoid glycosides found in the plant
may be responsible for the herb's anti-inflammatory and analgesic
actions. However, research has not entirely supported the
use of devil's claw in alleviating arthritic pain symptoms.
Devil's claw is also considered by herbalists to be a potent
bitter. Bitter principles, like the iridoid glycosides found
in devil's claw, stimulate the stomach to increase the production
of acid, thereby helping to improve digestion.
|
