DESMODIUM (Desmodium) leaves

Desmodium leaves (Desmodium adscendens)

Other Names:

The plant has a rich history of medicinal use in tropical America, long before the arrival of Europeans. It is still widely used to treat a wide range of ailments, and many of these uses have been adopted into modern herbal medicine. In particular, it is highly valued for kidney and gallstones, for the treatment of asthma and allergies, and for the relief of muscle spasms and back pain. The plant is rich in a number of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and soyasaponins.

Basic Properties:
Hepatoprotective, analgesic, antiasthmatic, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antiulcerative, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitussive, bronchodilator, digestive, lactobacilli, laxative, nervine, parasiticide and healing

Uses:
It has been used for its protective and therapeutic effects on kidney stones and gallstones . It is indicated in cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease also called fatty liver syndrome. The beneficial effect of desmodium on the liver is also against toxic compounds, an action which is associated with its content in substances called triterpenoid saponins.

Some of these substances of desmodium protect liver cells from damage caused by hepatotoxic substances, help normalize liver transaminase levels . In practice, desmodium acts by increasing the resistance of liver cells to inflammation or in cases of liver failure.

The antispasmodic and antiallergic effects of Desmodium allow its use in cases of asthma and chronic bronchitis . Leaf tea is used as a blood purifier , to detoxify the body from environmental toxins and chemicals.

How is it used:
the leaves as an infusion: 1 teaspoon in a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes. Drink 3-4 times a day between meals.

Special precautions:
There are no known serious side effects from taking Desmodium, but nausea, digestive upset, and diarrhea have occasionally been reported. As a precaution, Desmodium is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is also contraindicated in cases of liver disease and autoimmune diseases when taken long term - it may interact with certain steroids and immunosuppressants.