Garrote del diablo

Related Terms

Alaska ginseng, American ginseng, Araliaceae, cukilanarpak, devil's club, devil's root, Echinopanax horridum (Sm.) Decne. & Planch, Fatsia, Fatsia horrida (Sm.) Benth. & Hook., Oplopanax horrideum, Oplopanax horridum, Oplopanax horridus ssp. horridus, Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq., Pacific ginseng, Panax horridum Sm., prickly porcupine ginseng, Riconophyllum horridum Pall., suxt, wild armored Alaskan ginseng.

Background

Devil's club, a member of the ginseng family (Araliaceae), has long been used for many medical conditions by indigenous peoples of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Among the traditional medical uses of devil's club, the most widespread is for the treatment of external and internal infections.
Traditionally, the inner bark of aerial stems was used. The most modern commercial preparations, however, use the root. Western herbalists use devil's club as a respiratory stimulant and expectorant, and for autoimmune conditions, eczema, external infections, internal infections, rheumatoid arthritis, sores and type II diabetes. They also use it to lower blood sugar and increase general well-being, and as a pancreatic tonic. At this time, there are no high-quality human trials supporting the use of devil's club for any indication.
As with many medicinal plants, there is concern about the commercialization of devil's club. This concern stems from the need to respect the intellectual property rights of the people from which the knowledge originated, compensate the original users of the plant, and align current uses ethically and culturally within the ethnobotanical context, all in the midst of the failures of the current legal mechanisms to accomplish these goals.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


The hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effect is one of many reported uses for devil's club, which had a traditional use in diabetes, and continues to be used for this condition. Although early evidence looks promising, additional high-quality trials are needed to make a firm recommendation.

C


The hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effect is one of many reported uses for devil's club, which had a traditional use in diabetes, and continues to be used for this condition. Although early evidence looks promising, additional high-quality trials are needed to make a firm recommendation.

C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for devil's club. Decoctions, tinctures, and infusions have all been used. Traditionally, 15-30 drops three times daily of tincture (fresh 1:2, dry 1:5, both 60% alcohol), or 1-3 fluid ounces three times daily of cold infusion has been used.
For blood sugar lowering effects, 1.4-1.6 milliliters of an aqueous extract per pound of body weight has been used. For weight gain, colds, and other illnesses, 125 milliliters before meals has been used.
Devil's club raw inner bark has also been chewed and spit on wounds for analgesia (pain relief), or laid in strips over a fracture to help with pain and swelling. The inner bark may also be dried, rubbed to a pulp and put on wounds to reduce infection. An ointment has also been made by burning the stems and mixing the ashes with grease to alleviate swellings.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Devil's club may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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