Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata) has a history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. In these traditions, Sword Bean is sometimes employed as a folk remedy for various ailments, including liver-related conditions like hepatitis. The traditional rationale is often based on the bean's purported ability to "clear heat" and support liver health, concepts rooted in traditional medicine philosophies rather than modern biomedical science.

Scientific research on Sword Bean's efficacy for hepatitis is extremely limited. A few in vitro and animal studies suggest that extracts from Sword Bean possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and possibly hepatoprotective properties, but these findings are preliminary and not specific to hepatitis in humans. There are no robust clinical trials or systematic reviews directly supporting its use for treating hepatitis in humans. Thus, while the traditional use exists, the scientific evidence remains minimal, and Sword Bean should not be considered a validated treatment for hepatitis based on current knowledge.