Article
I would like to draw attention to an alternative therapy that may provide respite for those suffering with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is one of the most researched plant extracts known to affect key mechanisms that contribute to the inflammatory process in humans.1 For years, devil's claw has been used in the traditional management of inflammatory disorders and in vitro studies have confirmed that devil's claw targets many inflammatory cells that have been identified in the synovial fluid of patients with TMD (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α).2
There is an abundance of studies supporting the efficacy and safety of devil's claw and consequently the Herbal Medicinal Products Committee of the European Medicines Agency has concluded that devil's claw can be used for the treatment of minor joint pain without the requirement of medical supervision.3 The potential for devil's claw to be beneficial in the management of TMD can be attributed to the shared pathogenesis between TMD and the previously researched arthropathies. Reports of unwanted side effects are scarce and unlike traditionally used NSAIDs, there are no known contraindications or drug interactions that restrict its use (e.g. anticoagulant therapy).4
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