Desmodium, scientific name Desmodium adscendens, called also tick trefoil or tick clover, is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family used to protect liver and kidneys and to fight asthma. Desmodium is a natural medicine of tradition, known and used for centuries by the people of the Amazon rainforest and Africa. Nowadays, desmodium is the subject of various scientific studies to test its effectiveness.
Properties
What is emerging from the scientific researches is that desmodium is a source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances such as polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and tannins able to fight free radicals and aging processes in the body (Francois et al., Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2011). Thanks to these substances, desmodium has a protective action against liver and kidney damages caused by viral infections, medicines or alcohol abuse, it improves the function of the liver, helps regenerate it and rebalances the values of transaminases (Francois et al, J Intercult Ethnopharmacol., Jan-Mar 2015 - Gyamfi et al, Gen Pharmacol, Jun 1999 - Magielse et al, J Ethnopharmacol., Mar 2013). And it doesn’t end there, a study has been able to observe also that the intake of desmodium induces an anti-anaphylactic effect proving useful in case of allergic asthma (Addy et al, J Ethnopharmacol., 1984).
How to take it
You can find the desmodium in chemist’s or herbalist’s shops in the form of capsules, in this case follow the instructions found on the package, or in the form of dried plant to prepare infusions. You can prepare the tea in this way, bring to a boil a cup of water, then remove it from the heat and add a teaspoon of plant, leave to brew for ten minutes. Filter and drink. The use of desmodium at the indicated doses is considered safe, however, ask your doctor for advice in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding or if you are taking medication because the possible interaction between desmodium and other medicines is reported (Quaye et al, J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med., Oct 2017).
