When every movement becomes a constraint, when joint pain invades your daily routine, harpagophytum - nicknamed devil's claw - offers a gentle yet powerful plant-based response. On Soin-et-Nature, discover dietary supplements based on the roots' concentrated active ingredients, renowned for relieving inflammation, soothing chronic pain and restoring joint mobility. Whether in capsules, ampoules or extracts, there's a natural solution for every profile to help restore comfort and freedom of movement, without harming the body.
Harpagos, which means grappling hook in Greek, gives its name to harpagophyton because its fruits have curved hooks shaped like grappling hooks; they cling to the fur and hooves of animals, which frantically scramble to get rid of them, hence its other name of "Devil's Claw".
The indigenous Bushmen and Bantus used the roots orally to treat indigestion, fever and childbirth pains, and externally as an ointment to treat small wounds and skin diseases. In South Africa, it is also traditionally used to treat convulsions in children.
It was a German farmer, Menhert, who at the turn of the century observed in South Africa the beneficial effects of a healer's treatment on a war wounded man. Aided by his hunting dogs, as the healer did not want to reveal his secret, he discovered the place where the roots had been harvested and where the plant's leaves had been hidden and buried, and succeeded in identifying the species. The roots were later introduced to Europe. They are used for migraines, allergic reactions, rheumatism and as a bitter tonic.
Today, this plant is widely used in the formulation of joint supplements, to support those seeking natural solutions to chronic pain.
Harpagophytum inhibits the biosynthesis of cysteinyl-leukotrienes and reduces the degradation of thromboxane, two important mediators in inflammatory processes. These actions help limit inflammation, particularly in chronic pathologies such as arthritis or joint pain.
Harpagophytum's anti-inflammatory activity is the result of a synergy between several compounds, notablyharpagoside,harpagide, 8-coumaroylharpagide and verbascoside. These molecules act in a complementary way to modulate inflammatory processes and reduce associated pain.
Harpagoside, one of the main active ingredients, inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) indiscriminately. This leads to a significant reduction in the production of NO (nitric oxide), a key mediator in inflammatory and oxidative reactions.
The iridoids present in harpagophytum, such asharpagoside,harpagide and 8-O-p-coumaroylharpagide, undergo chemical, enzymatic and microbiological transformation under the action of intestinal bacteria. These transformations produce active compounds such asaucubinine B, a monoterpene alkaloid with significant biological effects.
What's more, iridoids can also be chemically converted into other alkaloids called Beatrin 1 and Beatrin 2, whose pharmacological properties could enhance the plant's overall therapeutic effects.
This is why many people turn to harpagophytum-based dietary supplements for natural relief of chronic joint pain, while benefiting from the plant's anti-inflammatory properties.
Harpagophyton is dispensed in pharmacies; the root is listed as a medicinal plant in the French Pharmacopoeia and has a control monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia, as well as an EMA Community monograph. It is an authorized ingredient in dietary supplements in France.
Soin-et-Nature offers a comprehensive range of food supplements dedicated to joint health, designed to preserve mobility, relieve pain and support joints on a daily basis. Here are the main categories available:
These dietary supplements for joints, available on Soin-et-Nature, enable you to preserve your mobility, relieve joint pain and care for your bones and cartilage naturally and effectively.
