---
title: "Devil's Claw or Willow Bark? | Herbadex"
description: "Two herbs for joint and back pain: willow bark contains salicylates and interacts seriously with blood thinners. Evidence and warnings side by side."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/compare/devils-claw-vs-willow-bark/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

Comparisons

# Devil's Claw or Willow Bark?

Devil's claw root (Harpagophytum procumbens) and willow bark (Salix) are assessed by the EMA for mild joint pain; a Cochrane review also looks at their extracts for short-term low back pain. The table is built from the sourced cards of both herbs.

| Aspect | Devil's Claw Harpagophytum procumbens, H. zeyheri | Willow Bark Salix spp. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Strongest evidence | B Limited clinical evidence | B Limited clinical evidence |
| Needs | Joints, Bones & Pain, Digestion | Joints, Bones & Pain, Immunity |
| Form | Dried Herb & Tea | Dried Herb & Tea |
| How to use | For joint pain, steep 4.5 g of root in 500 ml of boiling water for 8 hours; drink in 3 portions over the day. | Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1–3 g of chopped bark; drink after meals. |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | From age 18 | From age 18 |
| Drug interactions | No recorded interactions | 1 serious interaction(s) |
| Duration limit | Not stated | Max 4 weeks |

## Which one, when?

### Devil's Claw

Traditionally used for mild joint pain and for digestive complaints such as bloating and loss of appetite; its standardised extract may help short-term low back pain (low-quality evidence). Not used with an active stomach ulcer.

[Full card →](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/devils-claw/)

### Willow Bark

Its standardised extract may help short-term low back pain (moderate-quality evidence); the bark tea is traditionally used for mild joint pain, headache and fever with colds. Interacts seriously with blood thinners.

[Full card →](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/willow-bark/)

## Good to know

-   Willow bark is not used with aspirin or NSAID allergy, salicylate-induced asthma, an active stomach ulcer or bleeding disorders.
-   Neither is recommended under 18, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; willow bark must never be used in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
-   See a doctor if a joint is swollen, red or accompanied by fever.

## Sources

1.  [European Union herbal monograph on Salix \[various species including S. purpurea L., S. daphnoides Vill., S. fragilis L.\], cortex – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-salix-various-species-including-s-purpurea-l-s-daphnoides-vill-s-fragilis-l-cortex_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2017 · Monograph Source accessed: October 14, 2026
2.  [European Union herbal monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens DC. and/or Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne., radix – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-harpagophytum-procumbens-dc-andor-harpagophytum-zeyheri-decne-radix_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2016 · Monograph Source accessed: October 14, 2026
3.  [Herbal medicine for low-back pain](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25536022/) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2014 · Systematic review Source accessed: October 20, 2026

This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.