African Crops For The Future E08: Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum zeyheri)

There is a medicinal plant that grows underground in the arid conditions of the Kalahari desert, claimed by its enthusiastic supporters to be a miraculous cure for inflammation, arthritis and joint pain. The San Bushmen have used it for thousands of years as a medicine. But, to the rest of the world, its healing properties are only just being discovered. It goes by the unlikely name of the Devil’s Claw (so called for its weirdly contorted seed pod). In this episode in his ongoing series on African Crops For the Future, Gus (the African Plant Hunter) delves deeper into the remarkable story of Harpagophytum zeyheri, and explains why he thinks it has potential as a future crop for people living in the dryland areas of Southern Africa, where sporadic rainfall makes agriculture a fragile and unpredictable business.
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#cropsforthefuture #devilsclaw #harpagophytum

[@africaafrica8982]

You always makes me happy... fantastic pronunciations...

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks! 😃

[@Ithalalempilo]

How I wish I could get the seeds. Please advice!

[@petergadd7797]

That is the first time I have not seen 0 Thumbs down. Well done! well presented.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thank you!

[@gloriousventures]

Thanks very much for all that you do. I am learning a lot.❤️. I just wanted to know if one can grow mufandichimuka?. If so how is it done?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks. for your question about Resurrection bush. Lots of people are trying to grow it with varying degrees of success. Planting it from seed or cuttings seems to work, but you need to try and mimic the natural conditions , which isn't easy. Try a well-drained soil in a frost-free area and see what happens. Let us know if you succeed!

[@rupiafarm4732]

Thanks for sharing this. Am from Kenya. Where can I found the roots of this plant?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Nowhere near Kenya, unfortunately. You'll have to come down to southern Africa to find this one!

[@mlamulidhlamini7650]

I didn't know about the tuber. We use the leave for bathing, soak in water for a short time and there you have a very good shampoo. We use it also when cows are having difficulties in giving birth.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks! Yes, it's common to use the leaves as a soap substitute, due to their mucilaginous properties. I hadn't heard the one about birthing cows though, that's fascinating!

[@mlamulidhlamini7650]

@@AfricanPlantHunter the idea is using it as a lubricant

[@rupiafarm4732]

Thanks for sharing. Where do you come from. Am from Kenya Africa. It is difficult to get it here in kenya

[@mlamulidhlamini7650]

@@rupiafarm4732 Zim

[@Fayrwa06]

Used it as hair shampoo when we went to the village

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Wonderful, thanks for sharing that.

[@patriciangwenya2545]

Inkuzane for hair shampoo and children suffering from measles

[@doreennyoni2452]

Thank you for your videos ,Are there any buyers who want the plant

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Yes, there are definitely customers. Your best bet is to try a local market first. Good luck!

[@rupiafarm4732]

Hello, I want it. Where do you come from? Am from Kenya

[@alikassem7925]

🧡💚🧡
نرجو ترجمه للعربيه 💚😘

[@murungu24]

Are u running out of plants😁 u had a video abt Devils claw last yesr

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks! That was Harpagophytum procumbens from Namibia. This is Harpagophytum zeyheri from Zimbabwe. Similar but different! And don't worry, no chance of me running out of plants in my lifetime!

[@murungu24]

@@AfricanPlantHunterGood to know

[@Fayrwa06]

@@AfricanPlantHunter You will never run out plants in Zimbabwe. You doing a great job 👏

[@mrmworia]

@@AfricanPlantHunter Please sir, what is the colour of the inside of the tubar also, how does it taste?