HOW TO MAKE A CLAW SKIN
HOW TO MAKE A CLAW FULL

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP) describes the actions of Devils' claw as 'anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, analgesic, sedative, diuretic and says it is indicated for 'rheumatism, arthritis, gout, myalgia, fibrositis & lumbago' and specifically indicated for ' rheumatic disease'. *(note that my own calculations have one level tsp equalling 2 gms) The tea prepared in this way can then be divided into two or three doses to be taken warm shortly before meals'

HOW TO MAKE A CLAW FULL

The tea is prepared by pouring two cups of boiling water on one teaspoonful (1.5gms)* or one tablespoon full (4.5 grams) of the finely chopped or coarsely powdered drug this is allowed to stand for 8 hours at room temperature, then strained. He says 'The recommended daily dose is 1.5 gms of the drug for loss of appetite and 4.5 gms for rheumatic disease. The dose range recommended by Weiss for Devil's claw gives a good idea as to how much can be needed. The renowned German herbalist, Rudolph Weiss M.D, wrote that 'the main indication for DevilвЂ™s claw is arthritis and back pain due to spondylosis, others include chronic inflammatory polyarthritis, neuralgia and headache'. Traditionally it has been used as a tonic, especially for digestive problems, for arthritis and rheumatism, to reduce fevers, and as an ointment for sores, ulcers and boils'

Devil's claw is used by various peoples in southern Africa, including the Khoisan and the Bantu. Care is taken not to mix the tubers, which contain the active ingredients, with the roots, as this can render the herb ineffective. Propagated from seed in spring, the young tubers are unearthed in autumn and cut into 2cm pieces.

HOW TO MAKE A CLAW SKIN

DevilвЂ™s claw is also thought to have an action on the liver, and it has been traditionally used for chronic itchy skin conditions and swollen varicose veins.ДЄndrew Chevallier writes 'Devil's claw is native to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, where it is a protected species due to over-harvesting of wild plants. The stiff, inflammatory joints of arthritis are its most common reason to be used but it has also been widely used for rheumatism, gout, sciatica, lumbago, muscle inflammation (myalgia) and tendonitis. In herbal medicine, it is the tubers of DevilвЂ™s claw surely the most alarmingly named herb in our dispensary! I understand that the name DevilвЂ™s claw comes partly from what the thorny fruits of this South African bush look like and partly what it feels like if you stand on it!ДevilвЂ™s claw is highly regarded in herbal medicine as a natural treatment for inflammatory joint and muscle conditions.

How to make a claw