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