BENEFITS OF DESMODIUM
✓ Supports the liver
✓ Antioxidant
✓ Anti-inflammatory
✓ Relieves allergies
✓ Potentially anti-cancer
What is desmodium?
Desmodium is a plant native to tropical forests. Like lupin and soy, it belongs to the Fabaceae family. It grows in many regions of the world: Africa, South America, Asia, Australia, and Oceania.
The botanical genus includes more than 300 different species. But it is the Desmodium adscendens and the Desmodium gangeticum that are recognized in phytotherapy and traditional medicine.
They hold, in particular, an important place in Ayurveda. The aerial parts (leaves and stems) contain many active compounds. For example, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids are present.
Not to mention the proteins, minerals, and trace elements present in large amounts. This composition gives desmodium various benefits for the body.
Studies show its beneficial effect on liver function. Thus, it supports the liver and helps drain toxins.
It is also antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Finally, it may help relieve allergies and potentially has anti-cancer properties.
Also read | A pharmacist’s advice on choosing a dietary supplement for the liver
Used for a long time by local populations, desmodium was introduced in France in the 1970s. Dr. Pierre Tubéry was the first to study the plant’s properties, later joined by many scientific researchers.
Nutritional composition
- Minerals and trace elements : sulfur, calcium, copper, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, silicon, sodium, zinc
- Proteins
- Fatty acids
- Antioxidant compounds : flavonoids, alkaloids, isoflavones, anthocyanins
- Saponins
Benefits of desmodium
💎 Supports the liver
A liver-supporting plant, it supports liver functions. It ensures the proper functioning of this elimination organ, responsible for filtering and eliminating toxins from the body.
It is ideal for freeing the body from toxic substances: medications, heavy metals, insecticides… It helps fatigued livers regain their elimination function.
At the same time, it is hepatoprotective. It is recommended in cases of viral hepatitis or cirrhosis because it increases the resistance of cells and helps regenerate them.
This study from the College of Pharmacy at KLE University (India), conducted on rats, shows desmodium’s hepatoprotective role.
🥝 Antioxidant
The plant’s leaves and stems contain powerful antioxidants, including alkaloids, flavonoids, isoflavones, and anthocyanins. They all combat free radicals that damage cells and accelerate aging.
Like yarrow (Achillea millefolium), it contains vitexin. This substance regulates the transcription factor Nrf2 which fights free radicals and stimulates the production of antioxidant enzymes in the body.
This study by the National Botanical Research Institute of India, conducted on rats, shows the antioxidant activity of desmodium.
🔥 Anti-inflammatory
Its consumption is helpful for reducing inflammation. Indeed, it contains saponosides, natural molecules with anti-inflammatory properties. It is particularly effective at relieving liver inflammation related to drug-induced toxicity or hepatitis.
This action is associated with an analgesic effect. It soothes joint pain, muscle contractures (cramps, muscle soreness, spasms…) and back pain.
This study from the Chinese Medical University, conducted on mice, shows the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of desmodium.
🤧 Relieves allergies
Desmodium is indicated in the treatment of asthma. It reduces inflammation and the bronchial spasms that characterize this disease. To do this, it interferes with spasmogenic substances (leukotrienes) that cause contraction of the bronchial muscles.
The plant also inhibits the action of histamine which triggers the allergic response. It is useful for relieving respiratory allergies (rhinitis, sinusitis…) and food allergies.
This study from the University of Ghana, conducted on guinea pigs, shows the beneficial effect of desmodium on allergies.
🔬 Potentially anti-cancer
Thanks to its antioxidant active compounds, it shows anti-cancer potential. By exerting a protective effect and regenerative action on liver cells, it prevents liver cancer.
Additionally, it protects the liver from the adverse effects of chemotherapy. It relieves pain and fatigue in people who are ill.
This study from Marche Nord Hospital in Fano (Italy), conducted in cancer patients, shows the benefit of desmodium in relieving their symptoms.
How to consume desmodium?
Desmodium in capsules
The capsules are made from dried aerial parts (leaves and stems) and ground into powder. Practical and easy to take, they have the advantage of being tasteless.
In fact, desmodium powder has a fairly strong taste that may not appeal to everyone. It’s a format that’s easy to find in stores, specialty shops, or online.
Choose a dietary supplement adequately dosed. It should be standardized to at least 2 % vitexin. Also prefer plant-based capsules.
Desmodium powder
The powder mixes easily into a glass of water, fruit juice, plant-based milk, or a hot beverage. You can also add it to applesauce, yogurt, or sprinkle it over a salad.
But be careful : it has a rather unpleasant taste and smell.
Dried desmodium leaves
Dried leaves are consumed as an herbal tea. This infusion helps to purify and cleanse the body. It has a mild but distinctive taste.
Let 10 g of leaves steep in 1 L of boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain and enjoy your herbal tea hot or cold, at any time of the day. You can sweeten it with honey or lucuma powder.
Desmodium in mother tincture
The mother tincture is obtained by hydroalcoholic extraction of the aerial parts of the plant. This form is concentrated in active compounds but contains alcohol. It is therefore not recommended for pregnant women, children, or people suffering from certain medical conditions.
Consume sustainably: prefer organic, fair-trade desmodium
✓ The plant is produced in many countries in Africa (Gabon, Ghana, Cameroon…), South America (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador…) and Asia (India, Japan, Vietnam…). Plantations are also developing in Madagascar. Its origin can therefore be very varied.
✓ If you can, opt for desmodium grown organically. There are also fair-trade supply chains that support small producers.
Dosage
The recommended dosage is 8 to 10 g of desmodium per day.
Contraindications and side effects
Desmodium consumption has certain contraindications:
- As a precautionary measure, it is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women and for young children ;
- Desmodium may interact with certain medications. Ask your doctor for advice if you are taking any medication.
Desmodium consumption has certain side effects:
- Digestive disorders
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
If you experience side effects, stop taking it and consult a doctor.
Sources and scientific studies
Subha Rastogi, Madan Mohan Pandey, Ajay Kumar Singh Rawat, 2011. An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC.
G A Kalyani, C K Ramesh, V Krishna, 2011. Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of Desmodium Triquetrum DC.
Raghavan Govindarajan, Subha Rastogi, Madhavan Vijayakumar, Annie Shirwaikar, Ajay Kumar Singh Rawat, Shanta Mehrotra, Palpu Pushpangadan, 2003. Studies on the antioxidant activities of Desmodium gangeticum.
Shang-Chih Lai, Wen-Huang Peng, Shun-Chieh Huang, Yu-Ling Ho, Tai-Hung Huang, Zhen-Rung Lai, Yuan-Shiun Chang, 2009. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extract from Desmodium triflorum DC in mice.
M.E.Addy, E.M.K.Awumey, 1984. Effects of the extracts of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis.
Luca Imperatori, Damiano Giardini, Gino Latini, Giuseppe Migliori, Claudio Blasi, Feisal Bunkheila, Cesare Breschi, Rodolfo Mattioli, Silvia Pelliccioni, Carmen Laurino, Maria Vadalà, Beniamino Palmieri, Tommaso Iannitti, 2018. Feasibility single-arm study of a medical device containing Desmodium adscendens and Lithothamnium calcareum combined with chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.
