Decoction (Tisane)
The most traditional preparation — aerial parts boiled as a 15-minute decoction.
Aerial Parts · Decoction
Traditional Use · No Formal Pharmacopoeia Listing
Biological Overview
Desmodium is a perennial climbing vine with a woody stem, multiple branches, and alternate, ovate, trifoliate compound leaves. Its purple flowers give way to pod-shaped fruits. It is native to West Africa (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana), with additional populations in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe.
Life CyclePerennial vine
HabitatWest Africa
Toxicity (LD50)~1122 mg/kg (rat)
Marker CompoundDehydrosoyasaponin I
Botanical Classification
Taxonomy & Identification
- Latin Name
- Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC.
- Family
- Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae
- Former Family Names
- Papilionaceae, Leguminosae
- Common Name
- Desmodium
- Parts Used
- Aerial parts
- Habitat
- West Africa; naturalized in Brazil
- Marker Compound
- Dehydrosoyasaponin I
Ethnobotany & Traditional Use
History & Tradition
Desmodium's properties were (re)discovered for Western phytotherapy by Drs. Pierre and Anne-Marie Tubéry in Cameroon during the 1960s, building on its established role in traditional African medicine as a treatment for asthma and jaundice.
Traditional preparation by West African and Madagascar healers is simple: a large handful of the plant boiled in plenty of water.
Brazil presents an additional South American population, alongside related species used similarly elsewhere: Desmodium molliculum ("manayupa") in Central and South America, and Desmodium gangeticum ("Salpan" or "Shalparni") in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, where it is valued as a bitter tonic, febrifuge, digestive aid, and anti-catarrhal in inflammatory pulmonary conditions.
⚠ Naming Uncertainty
Desmodium appears to be called "amor seco" in Brazil, but the primary source literature flags this with a question mark — the name seems to be shared with an unrelated plant, Bidens pilosa, so it should not be relied on for species identification.
The Key Molecule
Dehydrosoyasaponin I — Deep Dive
The triterpene saponin behind desmodium's signature mechanism: opening calcium-activated potassium channels.
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Bronchial Smooth Muscle Relaxation
Channel opening hyperpolarizes cell membranes, relaxing bronchial smooth muscle — the mechanistic basis for traditional asthma treatment.
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Clinical Use in Ghana
Used in Ghanaian hospitals as an asthma treatment, attributed specifically to dehydrosoyasaponin I's potassium-channel-opening effect.
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Shared Saponin Class
Belongs to the soyasaponin family (soyasaponins I and III), the same triterpene glycoside class found in soybean.
⚠ Standardization Matters
Most commercial products don't specify saponin content.
Dehydrosoyasaponin I and D-pinitol (the plant's hepatoprotective cyclitol) are rarely quantified on labels. Look for products that specify extract type — decoction, 7:1 dry extract, or EPS — and aerial-parts sourcing, rather than an unspecified "desmodium powder."
Pharmaceutical Preparations
Parts Used & Available Forms
Only the aerial parts of desmodium are used medicinally.
Fluid Extract (Desmopar®)
A fluid extract developed by Dr. Pierre Tubéry, marketed under the name Desmopar®.
Fluid Extract
Dry Extract (7:1) & EPS
A concentrated 7:1 dry extract, or a standardized fresh-plant extract (EPS).
Dry Extract · EPS
Clinical Dosimetry
Dosages
Dosing differs by indication, per the primary phytotherapy literature.
Phytochemistry
Composition
Desmodium's chemistry is notably diverse — flavonoid polyphenols, several alkaloid classes, and triterpene saponins.
Polyphenols & Alkaloids
Flavonoid HeterosidesApigenin, vitexin, isovitexin, schaftoside, isoschaftoside[1]
Present
Isoflavones, Flavones & FlavonolsPlus flavan-3-ols, flavanones, anthocyanosides[1]
Present
TanninsGeneral polyphenolic class
Present
Isoquinoline AlkaloidsTetrahydroisoquinolines
Present
Tryptamine-Derived AlkaloidsDimethyltryptamine, salsoline, hordenine, tyramine, gramine
Present
Saponins & Other Constituents
Dehydrosoyasaponin IMaxi-K channel activator; key molecule (see Deep Dive)
Major
Soyasaponins I & IIITriterpene saponins, shared with soybean
Present
Steroids, Phenols & Volatile OilsIncludes phenylpropanoids
Present
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Hepatoprotective
D-pinitol-mediated protection of liver cells, demonstrated in chemically-induced liver damage models.[2][3]
⚗️
Antioxidant
Protects against oxidative stress and demonstrates free-radical scavenging activity.[4][5]
😌
Antispasmodic (Smooth Muscle)
Inhibits smooth-muscle contractions; dehydrosoyasaponin I activates calcium-dependent potassium channels, the basis for hospital use in asthma treatment in Ghana.[6][7][8]
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Analgesic
Demonstrated in a murine model via opioidergic and adrenergic systems, ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels, and serotonergic pathways — most pronounced for heat-induced pain.[9][10]
🤧
Anti-Allergic & Anti-Asthmatic
Supported by seven separate references spanning anaphylaxis models, airway smooth-muscle contraction, and histamine response studies.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
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Hepatitis Efficacy
Remarkably effective in acute hepatitis — experimentally protective in toxic hepatitis, with a clinical study showing rapid normalization of jaundice, transaminases, and bilirubin in Hepatitis B patients.[18]
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Antipsychotic (Animal Model)
Antipsychotic-like properties demonstrated in mice — a possible pharmacological confirmation of traditional Ghanaian use.[19]
Clinical Applications
Clinical Indications
Traditional and clinically studied applications drawn from the primary phytotherapy literature.
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Viral Hepatitis
A & B, Early Stage
- Hepatitis A and B: at early stage of viral infection.
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Asthma & Allergies
Not During Acute Attack
- Asthma and allergies: via relaxation of airway and pulmonary smooth muscle — the source literature notes this with a caveat, marking use during an acute attack as uncertain.
- Chronic bronchitis. [20]
💉
Chemotherapy Support
Side-Effect Prevention
- Prevention of chemotherapy side effects: a traditional supportive-care indication.
🦴
Migraine & Musculoskeletal Pain
Plus Neuroprotection
- Migraines and back, muscle, and joint pain.
- Epilepsy: via a neuroprotective effect. [21]
Pharmacodynamics
Mode of Action
Documented and presumed mechanisms underlying desmodium's anti-asthmatic, hepatoprotective, and analgesic effects.
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🛡️
Hepatoprotective Saponin Action
Soyasaponins underlie the plant's protective effect on liver cells.
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Multi-Pathway Analgesia
Opioidergic, adrenergic, ATP-sensitive potassium channel, and serotonergic pathways jointly contribute to the plant's analgesic effect.[9]
⚗️
Arachidonic Acid Modulation
Secondary plant metabolites affect arachidonic acid metabolism, contributing to anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic effects.[17]
Clinical Safety
Safety, Interactions & Precautions
Generally low in toxicity, with one specific medication interaction worth knowing.
Adverse Effects & Toxicity
- Low toxicity overall: documented in safety studies on hepatocytes and renal cells. [4]
- Acute toxicity (rat): estimated LD50 of 1122 mg/kg body weight in oral leaf-extract studies. [22]
- Occasional nausea and diarrhea have been reported.
- Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children under 15: mainly due to a lack of long-term follow-up and experimental data.
Drug Interactions
- Disulfiram: avoid combining — desmodium extracts inhibit CYP2E, the same pathway disulfiram (used in alcohol-use-disorder treatment) depends on. [24]
- CYP2B1/2B2 induction: documented alongside CYP2E inhibition in extract studies. [24]
- Minimal CYP450 interaction otherwise: few interactions reported beyond the CYP2E/CYP2B pathways. [22]
- Hormone therapy (breast cancer): no documented interactions with hormone therapy following hormone-dependent breast cancer; desmodium may even offer hepatoprotective benefit and reduce chemo-induced toxicity, though caution is still advised. [23]
Clinical Disclaimer: This monograph is for educational and professional reference only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before initiating any phytotherapeutic regimen, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 15, taking disulfiram, or undergoing cancer treatment.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is desmodium used for?
Desmodium (Desmodium adscendens) is traditionally used for early-stage viral hepatitis A and B, asthma and allergies, chronic bronchitis, prevention of chemotherapy side effects, migraines, back and joint pain, and as a neuroprotective support in epilepsy.
What is dehydrosoyasaponin I?
Dehydrosoyasaponin I is a triterpene saponin in desmodium and the most pharmacologically distinctive compound isolated from the plant. It activates calcium-activated (maxi-K) potassium channels, hyperpolarizing membranes and relaxing bronchial smooth muscle — the basis for its traditional use in asthma.
What is the recommended dosage of desmodium?
The source phytotherapy literature describes 10 g per day as a 15-minute decoction for 3 weeks in cases of liver cell damage, or 7 to 8 g per day for other uses such as allergies or preventive support during chemotherapy. Always confirm dosing with a qualified healthcare provider.
Is desmodium recognized by a pharmacopoeia?
No. Unlike many European phytotherapy herbs, desmodium has no formal pharmacopoeia listing or EU herbal monograph in the primary source reviewed here. Its use is rooted in West African traditional medicine and supported by a substantial body of pharmacological research, but it has not gone through formal regulatory evaluation.
Does desmodium interact with medications?
It can. Desmodium extracts inhibit CYP2E and induce CYP2B1/2B2 enzymes, so it should be avoided alongside disulfiram, a CYP2E-dependent medication used in alcohol-use-disorder treatment. No interactions have been documented with hormone therapy following hormone-dependent breast cancer, though caution is still advised.
Is desmodium safe?
It is generally considered low in toxicity, with an estimated LD50 of 1122 mg/kg body weight in rat studies. Occasional nausea and diarrhea have been reported. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children under 15, mainly due to a lack of long-term safety data.
Can desmodium help with hepatitis?
Yes, this is one of its best-documented uses. Experimental studies demonstrated a protective effect on liver cells in toxic hepatitis, and a clinical study showed rapid normalization of jaundice, transaminases, and bilirubin in patients with Hepatitis B.
Why is desmodium also called "amor seco"?
It appears to be called "amor seco" in Brazil, though the source literature flags this as uncertain — the same name seems to be shared with an unrelated plant, Bidens pilosa, so the naming should be treated with caution.
Are other Desmodium species used medicinally?
Yes. Desmodium molliculum (known as manayupa) is used in Central and South America for similar indications, and Desmodium gangeticum is part of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, where it is valued as a bitter tonic, febrifuge, digestive, and anti-catarrhal in inflammatory pulmonary conditions.
Primary Literature
Bibliography
↑
1.
Manzione MG, Herrera-Bravo J, Sharifi-Rad J, et al. Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC.: a magnificent plant with biological and pharmacological properties. Food Frontiers. 2022;3(4):677-688.
DOI:10.1002/fft2.170 →
↑
2.
Magielse J, Arcoraci T, Breynaert A, et al. Antihepatotoxic activity of a quantified Desmodium adscendens decoction and D-pinitol against chemically-induced liver damage in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013;146(1):250-256.
PubMed PMID:23291573 →
↑
3.
Chuisseu PD, Galani BR, Younang NC, et al. Aqueous extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Fabaceae) possess in vitro antioxidant properties and protect hepatocytes from carbon tetrachloride-induced injury and Hepatitis C virus infection. Invest Med Chem Pharmacol. 2020;3(1):36.
Full text →
↑
4.
François C, Fares M, Baiocchi C, Maixent JM. Safety of Desmodium adscendens extract on hepatocytes and renal cells. Protective effect against oxidative stress. J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2015;4(1):1-5.
PubMed PMID:26401376 →
↑
5.
Muanda FN, Bouayed J, Djilani A, Yao C, Soulimani R, Dicko A. Chemical composition and cellular evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Desmodium adscendens leaves. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:620862.
PubMed PMID:20976084 →
↑
6.
Addy ME. Several chromatographically distinct fractions of Desmodium adscendens inhibit smooth muscle contractions. Int J Crude Drug Res. 1989;27(2):81-91.
↑
7.
Giangiacomo KM, Kamassah A, Harris G, McManus OB. Mechanism of maxi-K channel activation by dehydrosoyasaponin-I. J Gen Physiol. 1998;112(4):485-501.
PubMed PMID:9758866 →
↑
8.
McManus OB, Harris GH, Giangiacomo KM, et al. An activator of calcium-dependent potassium channels isolated from a medicinal herb. Biochemistry. 1993;32(24):6128-6133.
PubMed PMID:7685635 →
↑
9.
Bonsu AS, Amoateng P, Bugyei KA, et al. Antinociceptive effects of an ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens: possible involvement of opioidergic, adrenergic, potassium channels and serotoninergic pathways. Health Sci Investig J. 2020;1(2):71-85.
↑
10.
Charles MC, Oleba OE, Obeten KE, Obono ES. Antinociceptive properties of Desmodium adscendens in mice. Saudi J Med Pharm Sci. 2016;2:79-85.
↑
11.
Sharma V, Dhar KL, Sharma P, Sharma P. Indian herbal medicine — a natural cure to asthma. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res. 2013-14;5(4):302-310.
Full text →
↑
12.
Mali RG, Dhake AS. A review on herbal antiasthmatics. Orient Pharm Exp Med. 2011;11(2):77-90.
PubMed PMID:22207824 →
↑
13.
Addy ME, et al. Effect of the extracts of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis. J Ethnopharmacol. 1984;11:283-292.
PubMed PMID:6482479 →
↑
14.
Addy ME, et al. Effect of Desmodium adscendens fraction 3 on contractions of respiratory smooth muscle. J Ethnopharmacol. 1990;29(3):325-335.
PubMed PMID:2120518 →
↑
15.
Addy ME, et al. Dose-response effects of Desmodium adscendens aqueous extract on histamine response, content and anaphylactic reactions in guinea pig. J Ethnopharmacol. 1986;18:13-20.
PubMed PMID:2434805 →
↑
16.
Addy ME, Burka JF. Effect of Desmodium adscendens fractions on antigen- and arachidonic acid-induced contractions of guinea pig airways. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1988;66(6):820-825.
PubMed PMID:3139272 →
↑
17.
Addy ME. Some secondary plant metabolites in Desmodium adscendens and their effects on arachidonic acid metabolism. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1992;47(1):85-91.
PubMed PMID:1438471 →
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18.
Tubéry P, Ragot J, Lagarde P, et al. Desmodium adscendens. De l'usage traditionnel camerounais contre les hépatites à l'accompagnement des chimiothérapies. Hegel. 2015;4:268-282.
Full text →
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19.
Amoateng P, Adjei S, Osei-Safo D, Kukuia KKE, Karikari TK, Nyarko AK. An ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibits antipsychotic-like activity in mice. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2017;28(5):507-518.
DOI:10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0115 →
↑
20.
Rastogi S, Pandey MM, Rawat AK. An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;136(2):283-296.
PubMed PMID:21530632 →
↑
21.
N'gouemo P, Baldy-Moulinier M, Nguemby-Bina C. Effects of an ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens on central nervous system in rodents. J Ethnopharmacol. 1996;52(2):77-83.
PubMed PMID:8735451 →
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22.
Quaye O, Cramer P, Ofosuhene M, Okine LKN, Nyarko AK. Acute and subchronic toxicity studies of aqueous extract of Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):753-759.
PubMed PMID:29228815 →
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23.
Gosselin L. Soins de support en phytothérapie et en micronutrition utilisés pour pallier aux effets secondaires de l'hormonothérapie suite à un cancer du sein hormono-dépendant. Doctoral thesis, Université Grenoble. 2017.
Full text →
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24.
Quaye O. Biochemical toxicology of Desmodium adscendens. Doctoral thesis (biochemistry), University of Ghana. 2001.
Full text →
Additional Reference Literature
Tubéry P. Official site on Desmodium adscendens. Visit site →
Pousset JL. Plantes médicinales d'Afrique. 2004.
Heard O. Contribution à l'étude du Desmodium adscendens aqueous extract: chimie et pharmacologie. Doctoral thesis (pharmacy), Université de Tours. 1994.
Grandi M. Studio preliminare sull'attività epatoprotettrice di Desmodium adscendens. School of Medicine of Torino, Italy. 1995.