The herbal and health information provided in this Web Site is intended as historical information only. The historical uses are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nothing listed within this Web Site should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. Persons with serious medical conditions should always seek professional care.
Chaparral, also referred to as Greasewood, Creosote Bush, Chaparro, Little Stinker, and Goberrnadora, is an herb derived from the common desert shrubs Larrea tridentata and Larrea divaricata. Native to the Southwestern United States, the leaves and stem of these desert plants have been used for centuries by Native American healers. Twentieth century herbalists had come to view Chaparral as an effective herbal antibiotic and as a possible treatment for intestinal parasites. Chaparral has also been historically employed as a support remedy for the treatment of colds, flu, and diarrhea.
Chaparral's extremely bitter taste prevents animals from grazing upon it and it does not burn easily. It is regarded as one of the most adaptable of all the United States desert plants as it grows in depleted soil and can survive for long periods of time without rainfall. It was one of the first plants to grow back after the 1962 nuclear bomb test at Yucca Flats.
The primary properties of Chaparral are considered to be alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiseptic, antiparasitic, bitter tonic, diuretic, expectorant, immune stimulant, and laxative. The primary known constituents of Chaparral include nordihydroguaiaretic acid, resins, flavonoids, essential oils, and saponins. Chaparral does not contain creosote.
The primary constituent in Chaparral is considered to be the compound called nordihydroguaiaretic acid, or NDGA, for short. NDGA is a powerful antioxidant, that is widely used in the food industry as a preservative for lard and animal shortenings. Early studies had raised hopes that NDGA might prove to be an effective treatment for some forms of cancer when it was revealed that NDGA was able to inhibit the growth of some cancer cells in animals. Human studies were disappointing, however, and raised new concerns about NDGA's toxicity after researchers reported finding lesions on the kidneys and lymph nodes of animals. Subsequently, Chaparral was removed from the FDA's list of products that are generally recognized as safe, or "GRAS".
In 1990, a woman suffered liver damage that was believed to be the result of consuming large amounts of Chaparral tablets to treat a non-malignant breast lump. Though the woman recovered in time, the incident led to the widespread removal of all Chaparral products from the shelves of health stores around the country. Many medical researchers currently feel that while Chaparral is an intriguing product worthy of further research, it is too toxic to be recommended for human consumption at this time.
Chaparral has been used in the past for a variety of topical applications. Branches have been cooked in oil and strained so that the oil can be massaged into rheumatic limbs. Steam from burning branches has been inhaled in sweat lodges. As a mouthwash, Chaparral has been used to fight cavities. Chaparral is also made into liniments, salves and compresses. Chaparral has also been used as a bath herb, and as a hair rinse for dandruff.
Avoid use during pregnancy. Excess use may be detrimental to the liver (although this is yet unproven), kidneys and lymph nodes. Use only with the recommendation from a qualified health practitioner. There have been several reported cases of liver toxicity from using Chaparral. Its safety is still being questioned, although it does have a long history of use.
