The name devil’s claw comes from the hooks that cover its fruits.The modern-day main use of devil’s claw is as an anti-inflammatory and for pain relief for joint diseases. One of the traditional uses of devil’s claw is that of an herbal appetite stimulant. Other painful conditions that may benefit from the use of devil’s claw is headache and general nerve pain. It can also be used as a digestive tonic; the belief is that it helps in the relief of constipation, diarrehoea, ulcerative colitis and flatulence.
Traditionally, external use of liquid extracts of devil’s claw have been used for sores, ulcers, boils and various skin lesions.