Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony Apple mint Asafoetida Avens Barberry Basil Bistort Boneset Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Herb : Devil's claw

(Botanical name: Harpagophytum procumbens)

Classification

• Kingdom- Plantae
• Subkingdom- Tracheobionta
• Superdivision- Spermatophyta
• Division- Magnoliophyta
• Class- Magnoliopsida
• Subclass- Asterideae
• Order- Scrophulariales
• Family- Pedaliaceae
• Genus- Harpagophytum
• Species- H. procumbens

History

Harpagophytum is commonly known as devil's claw which originates from the desert regions of south and southeast Africa.

Traditionally and historically people used this plant to treat various body disorders in the form of decoction, powder and infusion.

Plant Description

Devil's claw is native plant of southern part of African continent and usually found in Kalahari sands of Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

It is ground trailing perennial weed of about 18 inches and having a central taproot that grows upto 2 meters deep.

The storage tubers which appear like sweet potatoes branch off horizontally

The leaves are large, grayish-green in colour, having 3-5 lobes that are covered in white mucilaginous cell.

Flowers are trumpet shaped and appears in pink, red or purple with a yellowish centre.

Cultivation

The habitat of devil's claw is parts of southern African continent where the soils are generally dried, sandy and sometimes rocky.

The flowers bloom mainly in November to April and bears fruits near January.

Parts Used

Leaves and roots

Constituents

Two chief constituents of devil's claw are harpagoside and beta-sitosterol.

Uses

• Devil's claw is useful in treating joint pains, osteoarthritis and low back pains.

• Traditionally this medicinal plant is used as an appetite stimulant.

• It is also thought to be beneficial for treating diseases of the liver, kidneys, gallbladder arthritis and rheumatism.

• According to British herbal pharmacopoeia devil's claw possess properties like analgesic, sedative and diuretic.

Names

• Devil's claw
• Grapple plant
• Wood spider