Chaparral
(Larrea divaricata)
Also know as Creosote bush
Botanical Information
A common aromatic, resinous desert shrub that grows up to twelve or fifteen feet high with small resinous leaves, bright yellow flowers, and white, hairy fruits.
Working with Chaparral
Part(s) Used
Flowering Tops
Herb Forms
Tinctures, capsules, tablets, bulk herb, powder.
Chaparral has been used traditionally as a remedy for bronchitis, colds, rheumatism, stomach pain, venereal disease, and chicken pox. It promotes sweating and improves the elimination of toxins from the liver and skin. Chaparral’s antibacterial activity makes it useful externally for skin abrasions or injuries. It is used as a douche for trichamonas. Chaparral contains NDGA, a substance used by the food industry to prevent fermentation and decomposition; this constituent may account for its antioxidant activity. It is a famous cancer remedy, and American herbalists think of it as a concentrated extract applied externally for skin cancer and sometimes recommend the powdered herb in capsules or tablets, or the tea as a cancer-preventative or remedy. Scientific provings for antitumor activity with this herb are inconclusive.
Chaparral has a taste of BITTER, ACRID and a temperature of WARM.
Cautions
Not for long-term use by people with kidney disease or liver conditions. Recent controversy surrounds the use of this herb internally, after several reports in the literature associated chaparral use with liver disease. An expert medical review of these
Conditions treated with Chaparral
Condition
Treatment Support
Application
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Condition
Treatment Support
antiviral, antibacterial, expectorant
Application
tea, tincture, capsules
Condition
Treatment Support
antiparasitic
Application
tea, tincture (diluted) as a douche
The information given here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. The information is drawn from numerous sources—both traditional medicine practice, from the clinical experience of many herbalists currently practicing, and supported by decades of scientific research from the author. The research most consulted includes human clinical trials that help to determine the most effective and safe herbs for various needs, the best doses, and types of preparations.
The information offered in this database is not intended as a substitute for any that may have been prescribed by your health practitioner or physician.