Desmodium adscendens, commonly referred to as Desmodium, is a plant traditionally used in West African herbal medicine for the management of liver diseases, including hepatitis. Its use in this context is primarily based on ethnobotanical tradition and anecdotal reports rather than robust scientific validation. In countries like Ghana, Desmodium preparations are used to support liver health, reduce jaundice, and assist recovery from hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B. The plant is believed to exert hepatoprotective effects, possibly due to its content of alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids, which may modulate inflammatory processes and oxidative stress in the liver.

Scientific studies investigating Desmodium’s efficacy in hepatitis are limited and largely preclinical. Some animal studies have shown protective effects against chemically induced liver damage, and a few small human case reports and observational studies suggest possible benefit in improving liver function markers. However, there are no large-scale, randomized controlled trials confirming efficacy or safety in humans with viral hepatitis. Reviews of medicinal plants for hepatitis often mention Desmodium as a traditional remedy, but consistently note the need for more rigorous scientific evaluation. Therefore, its use is best characterized as traditional, with only preliminary evidence supporting efficacy and safety for hepatitis.