Harpagophytum Procumbens Root – Powder

Brew & Taste

Herbal aroma, moderately bitter taste, and a dark yellow to yellow-grey color. Not much from the looks of it, or the first sip. You’ll need to check the health benefits to really get into drinking devil’s claw infusions. It contains iridoid glycosides, especially harpagoside, which gets the credit for its positive reputation as a remedy for painful joints as well as a helper to healthy digestion and overall vitality.

Origins

Harpagophytum procumbens, the scientific name for devil's claw, is native to the edges of southern Africa's largest desert, the Kalahari. This succulent plant forms creeping shoots and blooms with very attractive tubular flowers, usually dark pink in color. It grows in sandy and dry soils, so it has developed exceptional resistance to drought. The fruits are equipped with hooks, which is probably why the plant has earned the nicknames including words such as ‘spider’ or ‘claw’.

A fine powder from the roots of devil's claw is used for phytotherapy. More precisely, it is made from the lateral roots, which are tuberous and can grow up to 2 meters long. It was used very often by members of the Bushmen tribe. The indigenous peoples of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and other countries still collect the roots and fruits today. The root has become part of their cultural and medicinal heritage and later attracted the attention of European botanists and doctors. Today, it’s one of the most valued African herbs exported all over the world.

Harpagophytum procumbens mainly contains:

• iridoid glycosides (especially harpagosid, harpagid,
• procumbide),
• flavonoids,
• phenolic compounds,
• triterpenes and phytosterols,
• sugars and pectins.

Herb packaging preview

We pack our herbs in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. Thanks to the hermetic seal, the herbs are protected against humidity, light and foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew and the herb itself.