Chaparral

Scientific Name(S): Larrea divaricata Cav. [synon. with L. tridentata (DC) Coville], also referred to as L. glutinosa Engelm. Family: Zygophyllacea.

Common Name(S): Chaparral, creosote bush, greasewood, hediondilla

If youÍve ever seen the black sticky resin on railroad ties, youÍve seen the product of chaparral, also known as creosote bush. Now found throughout the Southwestern US, chaparral actually originated in Argentina several thousand years ago. The stems and leaves of the creosote bush are covered with a sticky resin that screens leaves against ultraviolet radiation, reduces water loss, and poisons or repels most herbivores. This resin is used in herbal medicine"and to protect wood from insects.

History: Chaparral takes its name from the area it grows in, the desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico known as the chaparral ecosystem. 

It has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans for a variety of purposes using the leaves and flowers of this ancient plant as a medicine.  The Cahuilla Indians used it for menstrual irregularities.

Uses of Chaparral

Chaparral tea has been widely used in folk medicine to treat conditions ranging from the common cold to snake bite pain. A derivative was formerly used as a food preservative. Anecdotal and in vitro evidence suggests antineoplastic effects.

Side Effects of Chaparral

No longer classified safe. Chaparral may cause liver damage, stimulate most malignancies and cause contact dermatitis. Tea and tincture of chaparral have an extremely strong taste considered disagreeable by most people, which restricts the amount they can tolerate before feeling nauseous. Capsules bypass this protective mechanism and should therefore be avoided.

Dosage

A tea can be prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon (approximately 5 grams) of leaves and flowers in 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water for ten to fifteen minutes. People should drink three cups per day for a maximum of two weeks unless under the care of a physician expert in the use of botanical medicines. Alternatively, 0.5-1 ml of tincture can be taken three times per day. Topically, cloths can be soaked in oil preparations or tea of chaparral and applied several times per day (with heat if helpful) over the affected area. Capsules of chaparral should be avoided.

Summary: Miracle cancer cures have an enormous public appeal. Like laetrile and taheebo, chaparral tea has gained attention as a natural cancer treatment, albeit with only inconclusive evidence to justify its safety or effecfutness. The results of in vivo and in vitro tests indicate that chaparral contains potent antioxidants that exert som; biologic activity; however, the antineoplastic activity of chaparral is weak and inconsistent in vivo.

The numerous anecdotal reports of its efficacy sugges-that further in vivo testing may be warranted. Because its use may stimulate the growth of certain tumors, however chaparral cannot be recommended as an antineoplasb agent at this time.