Desmodium Liver Detox is a dietary supplement containing desmodium (Desmodium adscendens), a medicinal plant which, with its hepatoprotective and detoxifying properties, has long been used in West Africa for supporting liver health.
It is part of our Liver and Detoxification category.
Desmodium Adscendens: An Invaluable Remedy from the African Pharmacopeia
Desmodium adscendens is a herbaceous creeping or climbing plant from the Fabaceae family, native to West Africa. Growing wild in tropical African and South American forests, it likes to wrap itself around cacao and oil palm trunks. Its thin, hairy stems bear trifoliate, clover-like leaves, though the central pinnule is larger than the other two. It is these aerial parts – the stems and leaves – which are used in phytotherapy (infusions, capsules, powders, drinkable solutions in vials, etc.).
Cameroonian healers were quick to identify its therapeutic properties, making abundant use of them to treat jaundice and viral hepatitis. In Ghana, it was particularly valued as an antispasmodic, for controlling muscle contractions in the lungs during asthma attacks (1). It was also used for treating sudden allergies (such as digestion-related reactions) (2).
It was only in the 1970s that desmodium became popular in France, under the initiative of Dr Pierre Tubéry and his wife. Their experience working in a Cameroonian clinic had enabled them to witness first-hand its impressive effects on liver problems.
What are Desmodium’s Benefits for Liver Health?
Desmodium adscendens benefits from a combination of several bioactive compounds: saponosides (soyasaponins I and III, dehydrosoyasaponin I, etc.), flavonoids (vitexin, isovitexin, rutin, etc.), cyclitols (including D-pinitol), isoquinoline alkaloids, anthocyanosides, and tryptamine derivatives (3). With this exceptional synergy, desmodium exerts targeted action on the hepatic system via various mechanisms:
- Shielding against hepatotoxicity. A number of studies have confirmed desmodium’s effects in protecting liver cells (hepatocytes) from infection- or toxin-induced attack. One trial on rats noted better prevention of ethanol-induced liver damage following administration of desmodium decoctions, a benefit attributed to its content of D-pinitol (4).
- Supporting liver cell regeneration. Several of desmodium’s active ingredients appear to stimulate hepatocyte regeneration and promote regrowth of damaged liver tissue.
- Cleansing the liver. Desmodium is a plant favored by naturopaths for helping the liver to fulfill its emunctory (or elimination) function. It is therefore recommended when the seasons change and as part of detox programmes for naturally 'unclogging' hepatic cells.
- Defending against ROS. Desmodium's polyphenolic compounds are attracting keen interest from the scientific community, with studies focusing on their ability to trap unstable molecules called ROS (reactive oxygen species), excess numbers of which precipitate cellular aging (5).
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. This product is a nutritional supplement and should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.
Keep out of reach of children.
PREGNANCY AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any medical conditions, consult your healthcare provider before using this product.
SUPPLEMENT INTERACTIONS
Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if you are taking any medications or other supplements as there may be potential interactions.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Daily dose: 3 capsules
Number of doses per pack: 30 |
Amount per dose |
| 10:1 extract of Desmodium adscendens |
1,200 mg |
| Other ingredient: acacia gum.
|
Adults: Take 3 capsules a day.
Each vegetarian capsule contains 400 mg of Desmodium adscendens extract.
Precautions: do not exceed the recommended daily dose. This product is a nutritional supplement and should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of children’s reach. Store away from light, heat, and humidity. As with any nutritional supplement, consult a health care practitioner before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a medical condition.
- Addy ME, Awumey EM. Effects of the extracts of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis. J Ethnopharmacol. 1984 Aug;11(3):283-92. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(84)90074-6. PMID: 6482479.
- Addy ME, Awumey EM. Effects of the extracts of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis. J Ethnopharmacol. 1984 Aug;11(3):283-92. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(84)90074-6. PMID: 6482479.
- 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 Jun 22;136(2):283-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.031. Epub 2011 Apr 20. PMID: 21530632.
- Magielse J, Arcoraci T, Breynaert A, van Dooren I, Kanyanga C, Fransen E, Van Hoof V, Vlietinck A, Apers S, Pieters L, Hermans N. Antihepatotoxic activity of a quantified Desmodium adscendens decoction and D-pinitol against chemically-induced liver damage in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Mar 7;146(1):250-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.12.039. Epub 2013 Jan 3. PMID: 23291573.
- 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. doi: 10.1155/2011/620862. Epub 2010 Oct 13. PMID: 20976084; PMCID: PMC2957201.
- Kalra A, Yetiskul E, Wehrle CJ, et al. Physiology, Liver. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535438/
- Jensen T, Abdelmalek MF, Sullivan S, Nadeau KJ, Green M, Roncal C, Nakagawa T, Kuwabara M, Sato Y, Kang DH, Tolan DR, Sanchez-Lozada LG, Rosen HR, Lanaspa MA, Diehl AM, Johnson RJ. Fructose and sugar: A major mediator of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol. 2018 May;68(5):1063-1075. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.01.019. Epub 2018 Feb 2. PMID: 29408694; PMCID: PMC5893377.
- Patel R, Mueller M. Alcoholic Liver Disease. [Updated 2023 Jul 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546632/
- Francis P, Navarro VJ. Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity. [Updated 2022 Nov 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557535/
- Lopes D, Samant H. Hepatic Failure. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538227/
- 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 Oct;22(4):753-759. doi: 10.1177/2156587217736587. Epub 2017 Nov 7. PMID: 29228815; PMCID: PMC5871315.
- Gillessen A, Schmidt HH. Silymarin as Supportive Treatment in Liver Diseases: A Narrative Review. Adv Ther. 2020 Apr;37(4):1279-1301. doi: 10.1007/s12325-020-01251-y. Epub 2020 Feb 17. PMID: 32065376; PMCID: PMC7140758.
- Wei X, Luo C, He Y, Huang H, Ran F, Liao W, Tan P, Fan S, Cheng Y, Zhang D, Lin J, Han L. Hepatoprotective Effects of Different Extracts From Triphala Against CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jul 5;12:664607. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.664607. PMID: 34290606; PMCID: PMC8287969.
Out of stock
