SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2010 DO YOU TRUST DEVIL'S CLAW

"To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved" - J. Macdonald

There are some who would disagree with this quote. How can you trust someone else when you cannot trust yourself? This is the better question. It is said that the man who trusts in G.O.D. (good orderly direction) is the man who can be trusted. We all have been given a gift-- ourselves. In my opinion, if we listen to our intuition and instincts, our lives would be better. I try to pay attention to the gift of trusting myself. There were times in the past when I didn't pay attention to my own instincts. Take out a coin from your pocket. Examine the coin. Read the words on it: In God We Trust. Meditation allows one to listen to the voice within. You will learn by listening, trusting and following through with your actions.

Basil King said this, "When you cannot trust God, you cannot trust anything; and when you cannot trust anything you get the condition of the world as it is today."

For today, trust no one except YOURSELF. It is a step in the right direction

Would you trust a plant that is named Devil's Claw? Harpagophytum procumbens, also called grapple plant, wood spider and most commonly Devil's Claw is a plant of the sesame family and native to Africa. It got its name from the peculiar appearance of its hooked fruit. In researching this plant I could not find it in James Duke's Medicinal Plants of the Bible nor in Sauer's Herbal Cures. The plant's large tuberous roots are used medicinally. I have used Devil's Claw to reduce pain and fever in children. Historically, European colonists brought Devil's Claw home where it was used to treat arthritis. And they were right. The German E commissions approves the use of Devil's Claw for arthritis.

Studies have found that taking devil's claw for several months substantially reduces pain and improves physical functioning of people with osteoarthritis. A 4-month study including 122 people with knee and hip osteoarthritis, examined the effects of devil's claw root powder on pain. The devil's claw supplement reduced pain and improved functional ability as effectively as standard doses of a leading European medication for osteoarthritis.

Another study found that devil's claw supplementation was effective in patients with rheumatic diseases (arthritis and low back pain). Seventy-five patients with hip or knee arthritis were given 2,400 mg of devil's claw daily (corresponding to 50 mg of harpagosides) for 12 weeks. The dosage provided a significant reduction of pain and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Only 2 cases of possible adverse drug reactions were reported (complaints of indigestion and a sensation of fullness). The study patients receiving Devil's Claw had fewer side effects and required less pain reducing medication throughout the study.

Since the NCCAM is studying this herb, I am hopeful that more will be revealed about it.

Above are two photos of Devil's Claw. Notice the plant close to the ground and the horns on the flower, resembling a devil.

Until tomorrow...