FAO. 2003. Trade in devil's claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in Germany ...

Devil’s Claw Report for FAO (Annex) WWF Germany/TRAFFIC Europe (04/25/03) 41 

FAO. 2003. Trade in devil's claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in Germany - status, trends and 

certification. By W. Kathe, F. Barsch and S. Honnef. Rome (final draft) 

The designations employed and the materials presented in this report do not imply any 

endorsement or the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture 

Organization of the United Nations concerning the information provided and opinion expressed by 

the contributing authors. 

10. Annex 

10.1 Devil’s Claw Products Listed in German Pharmaceutical Trade 

Producing Company Name of Product 

Allcura Naturheilmittel GmbH, Wertheim 

Allpharm Vertriebs-GmbH, Messel 

Alsitan GmbH & Co. KG, Greifenberg 



Ardeypharm GmbH, Herdecke 

Arko Pharma GmbH, Achern 

Arko Pharma GmbH, Achern 

Astrid Twardy GmbH, Flörsheim / Main 

Bad Heilbrunner Naturheilmittel GmbH & 

Co., Bad Heilbrunn 

Bio-Diaet-Berlin, Berlin 

Biocur Arzneimittel GmbH, Holzkirchen 

Biocur Arzneimittel GmbH, Holzkirchen 

Boerner GmbH, Berlin 

Boerner GmbH, Berlin 

Cefak KG, Kempten 

Cheplapharm Arzneimittel 

Dr. Loges & Co. GmbH, Winsen 

Teufelskralle Kapseln 

Teufelskralle Kapseln N 

Teufelskralle geschnitten R Tee 

Teufelskralle Tee Filterbeutel R 

Teufelskralle-Kapseln 

Doloteffin Tabletten 

Harpagophytum Arkocaps Kapseln 

Teufelskralle Arkocaps Kapseln 

HarpagoMega Kapseln 

Bad Heilbrunner Gelenk Plus Teufelskralle 

Extrakt Kapseln 

Teufelskralle-Kapseln Pargo 

Teldonal 480 FT Filmtabletten 

Teldonal dispers Brause-/Trinktabletten 

Teufelskralle Kapseln N 

Sanhelios Teufelskralle Kapseln 

Cefatec Brause-/Trinktabletten 

Teufelskralle Plantakur Kapseln 

Flexi-Loges Filmtabletten


Duopharm GmbH, Bad Aibling 



Dyckerhoff Pharma GmbH & Co., Köln 

Engelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG, 

Niederdorfelden 

Eu Rho Arznei GmbH, Kamen 

Haehnel-Arzneimittel Versand 

Hagen 

Hagen 

Hanosan GmbH, Garbsen 

Hermes Arzneimittel GmbH, 

Wolfratshausen 

Laborklinika 

Leopold-Arzneimittel Apotheker Dr. 

Walter, Probst 

Lichtwer Pharma AG, Berlin 

Medicom Pahrma AG, Altenhagen 

Merck dura GmbH, Darmstadt 

Merz Consumer Care GmbH, Frankfurt / 

Main 

Naturana 

Pascoe Pharmazeutische Präparate 

GmbH., Gießen 

Dr. Poehlmann & Co. GmbH, Herdecke / 

Ruhr 

Presselin Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG, 

Muggensturm 

Teufelskralle Tee 

Arthrotaps Filmtabletten 

Defencid Tabletten 

Harpagoforte Asmedic Kapseln 

Matai Filmtabletten 

EuRho Vital Teufelskralle Kapseln 

Teufelskralle Kapseln 

Harpagosan Filterbeutel, Tee 

Harpagophytum D2 Ampullen 

Afrikaniscche Teufelskralle Tee (Mono) 

Ajuta Filmtabletten (Mono) 

Presselin Teufelskralle Tropfen 

Dolo-Arthrodynat Kapseln 

Rivoltan Filmtabletten 

Medicom Teufelskralle Kapseln 

Teufelskralle dura 480g Filmtabletten 

Tetesept Teufelskralle-Kapseln N 

Teufelskralle-Kapseln N 

Allya Filmtabletten 

Solaguttae Rheuma Gelenk Dragees 

Presselin Teufelskralle Tropfen 

Queisser Pharma GmbH & Co. Flensburg Brackal Teufelskralle-Kapseln N 

Ratiopharm GmbH, Ulm 

Riemser Arzneimittel AG, Greifswald – 

Insel Riems 

Riemser Arzneimittel AG, Greifswald – 

Insel Riems 

Roha Arzneimittel GmbH, Bremen 

Sebapharma GmbH & Co. KG, Boppard 

Teufelskralle-ratiopharm Filmtabletten 

Arthrosetten H Kapseln 

Dolo-Arthrosetten H Kapseln 

Zirkulin Teufelskralle-Kapseln N 

Herzpunkt Teufelskralle Kapseln N


Sidroga GmbH. Bad Säckingen 

STADA Arzneimittel AG, Bad Vilbel 

Steiner & Co. Deutsche 

Arzneimittelgesellschaft, Berlin 

Strathmann AG & Co., Hamburg 



Truw Arzneimittel Vertriebs GmbH, 

Gütersloh 

Wiedemann 

Products imported from abroad: 

Arkopharma, Carros Cedex - France 

Chefaro-Ardeval, Puteaux – France 

Lomed (Omega Pharma) – Belgium 

Provita Pharma, Vienna - Austria 

Sidroga Rheumatee Filterbeutel 

Teufelskralle STADA 480mg Filmtabletten 

Sogoon Filmtabletten 

Herbadon 480 mg Filmtabletten 

Jucurba Kapseln 

Jucurba forte Filmtabletten 

Rheume-Sern Kapseln 

Rheuferm-Phyto Pulver 

Harpadol 317 mg Kapseln 

Lyophytum Pulver 

Harpagon 410 mg Tabletten 

Gesundform Teufelskralle 400 mg Kapseln 

Number of Producing Companies (Germany): 46 (4 of which produced abroad) 

Number of Devil’s Claw Products (German market): 57 (4 of which imported) 

List of all products of the German pharmaceutical market containing devil’s claw 

(Harpagophytum spp.). According to: ABDATA database, December 2002.


10.2 Devil’s Claw Products Sold on the German Non-Pharmaceutical Market 

Producing Company Name of Product Retail Trader(s) 

Alsiroyal / Alsitan GmbH & 

Co. KG 

Greifenberg 


Co. KG 

Greifenberg 


Co. KG 

Greifenberg 

Ascopharm GmbH 

Wernigerode 

Börner GmbH, Berlin 

Börner GmbH, Berlin 

Dr. Dünner AG (sister 

company of Swiss Caps 

AG) 

Kirchberg 

Franziskus 

Jürgen Maaß 

Hoehn-Oellingen 

Pro Dimi Markenprodukte 

GmbH & Co. 

Dortmund 

Renatura GmbH, Flörsheim 

(Astrid Twardy GmbH) 

Roha Arzneimittel GmbH 

Salus-Haus Dr. med. Otto 

Greither Nachf. GmbH & Co. 

Bruckmühl 

Salus-Haus Dr. med. Otto 

Greither Nachf. GmbH & Co. 

Bruckmühl 

Sanhelios / Börner GmbH 

Berlin 

Teufelskralle-Kapseln Neuform 

Teufelskralle Tee Neuform 

Teufelskralle Tonikum Neuform 

Teufelskralle Kapseln EnergiaVital Shop 

Bakanasan, Teufelskralle-Kapseln Neuform; health 

food stores 

Sanhelios Teufelskralle Kapseln health food stores 

Pagosid Teufelskralle-Tabletten Neuform; health 

food stores 

Teufelskralle-Extrakt-Kapseln (60) Schlecker 

Gewürz-Tee Teufelskrallenwurzel On markets 

St. Benedikt Teufelskralle-Kapseln 

(60) 

ALDI 

Teufelskralle Kapseln health food stores 

Zirkulin Teufelskralle-Kapseln N (60) Schlecker 

Kräuter aus aller Welt – Teufelskralle Neuform 

Teufelskrallen-Tee aus ökol. Anbau Neuform 

Teufelskralle-Kapseln N (48) IDEA Drogerie


Schoenberger 

Solaguttae 

Roha Arzneimittel GmbH 

Teufelskrallen-Tee Neuform; health 

food stores 

Rheuma Gelenk Dragees 150 mg 

(TE/K 2:1) 

IDEA Drogerie 

Muskel- und Gelenkgel health food stores 

African devil’s claw products sold on the German non-pharmaceutical market. Some 

products are also sold in pharmacies. This list is the result of a field research (September 

2002 until February 2003) by the authors; it is not complete but gives a survey of the most 

important products at the market.


10.3 Devil’s Claw Products Sold on the German Veterinary Pharmaceutical Market 

Producing Company Name of Product Application(s) 

A. Albrecht GmbH & Co, 

Aulendorf * 

Heiland VET GmbH, 

Hamburg * 

SANUM Kehlbeck GmbH 

& Co KG, Hoya ** 

Supracell GmbH, 

Rastatt*** 

SC Homöopatica 104 joints ailments in 

vertebrates 

Canicox-HD arthritis and other joints 

ailments of dogs 

Harpagophytum Homöopaticum to treat Morbus 

Bechterew / spondylarthrosis 

in horses 

Vertebra (combination of 

Harpagophytum, Kalmia and Pichi 

Pichi; used in animal homeopathy) 

treatment of 

inflammations relating to 

the vertebral column of 

pets such as cats / dogs 

Exemplary selection of products developed for the veterinary pharmaceutical market in 

Germany. Sourced from: *Delta Index for veterinary pharmaceutical products in Germany, 

**http://www.pferdemedizin.com and ***http://www.supra-cell.de. In addition, a number of 

Harpagophytum-products used in human medicine are also applied to animals, mostly dogs, 

horses and other mammals.


10.4 Monograph of Harpagophytum procumbens in the European Pharmacopoeia

Devil’s Claw Report for FAO (Annex) WWF Germany/TRAFFIC Europe (04/25/03) 48


10.5 Good Harvesting Practices (GHP) Guidelines for Harpagophytum 

procumbens in the Kalahari (RSA) (www.harpago.co.za) 

Illustrated proposal for a guideline on the commercial collection of the medicinal plant 

Harpagophytum procumbens from the environment 

(GHP / GcoIP, Good Harvesting/Collecting Practice for Medicinal Plant-Material) 

by Avontuur / University of Münster: refer to http://harpago.co.za/Project/part_1.htm 

Text of the Guideline 

Sustainable harvest in semi-wild populations of Harpagophytum procumbens in 

the Kalahari of South Africa. 

Preface 

Medicinal uses of Devil’s Claw 

The secondary root tubers of Harpagophytum procumbens are used as herbal medicine in Europe for 

rheumatic diseases. The quality must be in accordance to several European pharmacopoeias. Devil’s 

Claw is very famous especially in Germany and therefore the demand of raw material is increasing. 

Legal framework 

a) Nature conservation 

Because of over-exploitation of Harpagophytum in some regions in Southern Africa there was a 

proposal to include Harpagophytum in the endangered species list according to Washington 

Convention during CITES meeting in Gigiri (Kenya) in April 2000. After that it is necessary for 

German importers to get export licenses from the local nature conservation authorities and import 

certificates from the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. To obtain certificates 

according to international rules endangered species must be harvested from cultivations or collected in 

semi-wild populations by sustainable methods under supervision of nature conservation services. 

b) Medicinal product regulations 

Herbal medicines must be produced according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) published by 

WHO. Raw plant material as a staring material for pharmaceutical production has to be produced 

according to Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) if the medicinal plant is cultivated on farms. For wild 

harvested medicinal herbs recently a proposal was published for Good Harvesting/Collection Practice 

for Medicinal Plant-Material (GHP/GCoIP). 

The object of this topic is the sustainable harvest in semi-wild populations of Harpagophytum 

procumbens in communities in the Kalahari of South Africa in agreement to these rules. 

Publications used to prepare this paper: 

G.Harnischfeger, Salzgitter, Proposal GHP 1997 

E.Schneider, Medicinal Plant Conservation Vol 4, Dec. 1997 

B.Hachfeld, Köln, personal communication 1999 

S.Leloup, The grapple plant project, 4.report NIR Gabarone, Botswana 1984 

G.Olivier, www.harpago.co.za 

Collecting Area 

Description of the digging / collecting area and exact range definition: 

Detailed maps with collecting areas 

Marking this years areas for digging/collecting on the maps.


Definition of protected areas for regeneration. If possible the collecting area is to divide in four 

quarters and harvesting takes place only in one quarter every year. 

Collecting of data on ecological conditions of the collecting area and its natural habitats: 

Climate 

Actual weather conditions during growing and harvesting seasons. 

Soil type 

Specifics influencing the quality (e.g. other plants at the same area as possible adulterants) (See 

figure) 

Research in population dynamics to avoid over-exploitation: (See figure) 

Transectwalks to count individuals of Harpagophytum: (E.Schneider, 1997; B.Hachfeld, Köln, 

personal communication 1999) 

Walk along transects of the area Harpagophytum occurs and count the plant number along that 

transect of one meter width. Then calculate the total numbers by extrapolating the counted 

number to the total area. 

Mapping of plots: (S.Leloup 1984) 

Mark an area of 100 to 200 meters and plot the individual plants of Harpagophytum and the 

main other plants occurring in that area on a sheet of paper. Then count the number of 

Harpagophytum plants on that map and calculate the total number by extrapolating the 

counted number to the total area. 

Repeat counting every year before harvesting time. 

Observe conditions of plants (growing conditions, insects feeding). 

Note other plants in the same habitat. (See figure) 

Protection of endangered species: 

Collect only an amount depending on permits of official authorities. 

Try to cultivate Harpagophytum near your house. 

Documentation of all details of the collection area to be prepared for audits. 

Harvesting Personnel 

Extensive knowledge of the diggers about the identification or the plant to collect. 

Distinguish between the medicinal plant and close relatives and adulterations. 

Wait for optimum conditions for the time of harvesting. 

Personal hygiene, ill and persons with skin disorders are not allowed to harvest. 

Education process for diggers/collectors to enhance the knowledge of harvesting procedure. The 

figures in the annex may be used as a helpful tool. 

Digging/Collecting Procedure 

Appoint a responsible person for organization of digging/harvesting/collecting, 

correct identification of plants and compliance with rules. 

Digging/collecting at time of optimum conditions. Best time to harvest is in April, when the seed pods 

are ripe. If the collecting area is divided in four quarters and harvesting takes place only in one quarter 

every year then the harvest is possible from October to April when the soil is wet and it is easy to dig. 

The earlier the tuber is replanted in the season, the better are their chances for survival. 

Observe weather conditions. 

Use of clean and adequate equipment. 

Avoid mechanical damage of the collected plant material and especially of the primary root.


Enable the plant to regenerate and avoid devastation of the habitat: 

Close the digging pits after harvesting. (See figure) 

Replant the primary root (the mother of Harpagophytum tubers). 

Collect fruits of Harpagophytum and distribute the seeds in the harvesting range to enhance the 

number of plants. 

Store collected plants protected from any types of animals. Harpago tubers can be stored in a dry place 

before slicing and drying. 

Education of the responsible persons to enhance knowledge. 

Preperation of Fresh Plant Material 

Wait for good weather conditions for slicing and drying. 

Select during slicing adulterants and tubers destroyed by insects and tubers of red colour inside. 

Use clean and appropriate tools: 

Use only clean brush and drinking water for washing the tubers. (See figure) 

For slicing harpago tubers only use stainless steel knifes. (See figure) 

The cutting board must only be used for cutting of harpago tubers. 

Clean the tools and be aware of hygienic conditions during preparation. 

Drying 

After preparing, the fresh material should be dried promptly 

During drying the plant material must be protected from rainfall and dew. 

Facilities for drying must be clean, well aerated and never be used for animal keeping. 

Air drying in a thin layer on nets in a sufficient distance from ground to provide adequate air 

circulation. (See figure) 

It is possible to dry the sliced tubers on the clean roof of the house under exposition to sunlight. 

Avoid drying directly on the ground because of sand being blown on the fresh material. 

Protect plants during drying from any types of animals. 

For transportation of dried material use clean bags/containers and label properly. (See figure) 

Packaging, Storage & Transportation 

Screen dried material to separate discoloured pieces and contaminants (moulds, tubers of other plants). 

(See figure) 

Waste should be separated carefully. 

Dried material should be packed in clean containers and labelled properly. 

Store the bags with dried material in well aerated warehouses never be used for animal keeping and 

avoid any contact with moist and rain. (See figure)


Before transportation clean the lorry/truck and be aware of proper equipment to avoid 

contamination and contact with rain or dust during transportation. 

Documentation of all steps of the campaign by collecting organization or local buyer, 

signed by a responsible person and kept for 3 years. Add a short batch report to the 

exported material (type of material – Harpago tuber slixed, sustainable 

harvest/cultivated, collecting/cultivating area, community, harvest time, permit, 

amount, responsible exporter 

Collecting Area 

Description of the digging / collecting area and exact range defenition 

• Use detailed maps for documentation of digging/collecting areas and 

population dynamics. 

• To obtain detailed maps contact your local authorities or nature conservation 

offices. 

• Marketing of this years areas for digging/collecting on the maps. 

• Definition of protected areas for regeneration. 

• If possible the collecting area is to be divided in four quarters and harvesting 

takes place only in one quarter every year. 

Distribution map of Harpagophytum procumbens in Namibia (K.Nott 1986) 

Distribution map of Harpagophytum procumbens in South Africa. (B. van Wyk et al. 1997)


Method for population dynamics of Harpagophytum in its natural habitat. (S.Leloup 1984) 

Transectwalks to count individuals of Harpagopytum 

Overexploitation of Harpagophytum and devastation of the habitat.(Krafft, Dordabis, Namibia) 

Harvesting / Digging / Collecting 

Procedure and how to avoid adulterants.


Only harvest the secondary root tubers, the "babies of Sengaparile" and save the 

primary root, the "mother of Sengaparile" for replanting. Then you will again harvest 

tubers in the next years. 

(Dr. E. Schneider, 2000) 

Flowering plant of Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae) with a dried fruit. 

(E. Schneider)


☺ do – Harpagophytum procumbens 

� don’t – Adulterants to be avoided 

How to avoid adulterants 

Adulterants specific for Namibia 

Dried slices and the characteristic fruit forms of the real Harpagophytum procumbens 

(left) and the adulterant Harpagophytum zeyheri (right) occuring in northern Namibia. 

(Credit: E. Schneider; Ihlenfeldt/Hartmann) 

Fresh root tubers of the easily confused species Acanthosicyos naudiniana 

(Cucurbitaceae)- top- and Ipomoea spec.(Convolvulaceae) -middle- and the real 

Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae) -bottom- (Maltahöhe. Namibia) 

(Credit: E. Schneider)


Vegetative plant of Acanthosicyos naudiniaria (Cucurbitaceae)(Credit: E.Schneider) 

Adulterant Acanthosicyos naudiniana (Cucurbitaceae) root. Samples from the 

famous Würzburg collection (Prof Czygan) (Credit: E.Schneider) 

Flowering plant of Ipomoea spec.(Convolvulaceae)(Credit: E.Schneider)


Dried slices of the adulterant Ipomoea spec(Convolvulaceae) (Maltahöhe. Namibia) 

(Credit: E. Schneider) 

Adulterants specific for the Kalahari in South Africa 

Fresh root tubers of the easily confused adulterant species in the Kalahari of South Africa. 

From left to right: 

Elophantorrhiza elephantina (Mimosoideae), Cucumis Kalahariensis 

(Cucurbitaceae), Ipomoea spec.(Convolvulaceae), Janbloed 

(Credit: E.Schneider) 

� Don’t 

Vegetative plant of Elephantora elephantina 

(Mimosoideae) 

(Credits: E.Schneider) 

Root tuber of Elephantora 

elephantina (Mimosoideae) 

(Credits: E.Schneider)


Sliced fresh 

root tubers of 

the adulterant 

Elephantorrhiza 

elephantina 

(Mimosoideae) 


� 

don't 

Vegetative plant of Cucumis kalahariensis (Cucurbitaceae) 


� don't


Sliced fresh tubers or the adulterant Cucumis kalahariensis (Cucurbitaceae) 


Flowering plant 

of Merremia spec 

(Convolvulaceae) 


� 

don't 

Sliced fresh root tubers of the adulterant Merremia spec (Convolvulaceae) 

(Credit: E.Schneider)


Root tubers 

of Janbloed 


� 

don't 

Sliced fresh 

root tubers 

of the adulterant 

Janbloed 


Preparation of Fresh Plant Material 

Cleaning of a fresh secondary root 

tuber of Harpagophytum in Namibia 

(Credit: Scheffler, Windhoek/Kapstadt


Cutting the fresh root tubers to slices by 

using stainless steel knife and a clean 

cutting board exclusively used for this 

purpose. 

Fresh sliced Harpagophytum procumbens tubers are of creamy colour. 

Never collect slices of red of dark brown colour. 


Drying 

Nets suitable for drying sliced root tubers of Harpagophytum in eastern Namibia 

(Credits: B.Hachfeld,Köln)


Drying net in use in the North-West Province, South Africa 

(Credit: G.Olivier) 

Quality assurance during preparation of the fresh plant material 

Drying process influences the colour of the dried slices of the root tubers. The bright 

coloured slices are suitable for herbal tea preparation, the dark coloured ones only 

for extraction. The colour even influences the quality of the final product as shown in 

this figure. Changes in colour will result in claims of customers because of 

inhomogenity in one batch to the other, a non-conformity with GMP. 

Packaging & Storage 

Collectors from a community in South Africa with their harvest in dried root slices of 

Harpagophytum packed in clean bags. 

(Credit: G.Olivier, South Africa)


Selecting and weighing the 

material brought by collectors 

in Namibia (Credit: Kraft,Dorbabis,Namibia) 

Packed root slices of 

Harpagophytum in a clean 

storage room ready for 

exportation. 

Sifting and cleaning of dried 

sliced root tubers of 

Harpagophytum in Namibia 

(Credit: Krafft,Dorbabis,Namibia) 

by Avontuur / University of Münster: refer to http://harpago.co.za/Project

FAO. 2003. Trade in devil's claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in Germany ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?