Devil's Club

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) is a spiny shrub native to the Pacific Northwest whose root bark is used in Indigenous American medicine for diabetes, infections, and respiratory complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Blood glucose / antimicrobial (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Animal and in vitro studies support some pharmacological activity; human evidence is largely absent.

How it works

Root bark contains polyacetylenes, terpenoids, and lignans. Preclinical studies suggest antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and modest blood-glucose-lowering activity. The plant is botanically related to ginseng but has a distinct constituent profile. Human clinical evidence is limited; modern supplement use rests on traditional knowledge and small in vitro and animal data.

Dosage

There is no RDA. Traditional and commercial preparations vary widely; liquid extracts are common. DSLD does not provide a median dose for this entry.

When and how to take it

Traditional preparations are taken with meals. No specific time of day is required.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Devil's club root bark extract / glycerite

Liquid extracts and dried bark capsules.

Composition varies by harvest and processing.

Safety

Sparse safety data. Generally well tolerated at modest doses in traditional use. The fresh plant's spines cause significant skin irritation but are not relevant to processed extracts.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data. Caution in those on antidiabetic medications.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with antidiabetic medications based on preclinical glucose-lowering activity. Limited clinical interaction data.

Frequently asked questions

Is devil's club related to ginseng?⌄

It is in the same family (Araliaceae) but is a different genus with different constituents and uses.

Will it help with diabetes?⌄

Preclinical glucose-lowering data exist, but it should not replace evidence-based diabetes management.

References

Devil's Club on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Devil's Club on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Devil's Club (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.