Desmodium species, particularly Desmodium adscendens, have been used in various traditional medicine systems, especially in West African herbal medicine, to support respiratory health and manage conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Ethnobotanical surveys document the use of Desmodium extracts, often prepared as teas or decoctions, for symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, including cough, difficulty breathing, and chest congestion—symptoms found in pneumonia. The plant is valued for its purported anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and expectorant properties, which may help alleviate respiratory distress.

However, there is limited direct scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Desmodium specifically for pneumonia. Most laboratory and animal studies have focused on its anti-asthmatic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. While these actions could theoretically benefit pneumonia patients by modulating inflammation and easing respiratory symptoms, clinical trials or robust human studies confirming its effectiveness against pneumonia are lacking. Therefore, the use of Desmodium for pneumonia is primarily justified by traditional practices rather than by strong scientific validation.

In summary, while Desmodium is traditionally used to support respiratory conditions including pneumonia, the scientific evidence directly supporting its use for this purpose is weak to moderate and largely indirect.