Chaparral leaf, c/s

Chaparral leaf, c/s (1014)

Scientific Name: Larrea tridentata, Zygophyllaceae family

Common Names: Creosote bush, grease wood

Parts used: Leaf, stem

Active Compounds: A lignan in chaparral, known as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a potent antioxidant.

Background:

American name referring broadly to any dense thicket of shrubs growing in
alkali soils. Chaparral has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans for a variety of purposes. As a decoction it was used in the treatment of stomach problems and for diarrhea. Immature twigs were employed for treating toothache. Leaves applied in a poultice were used to treat a variety of respiratory problems. Steeped as a liquid the leaf was used for external application for skin problems. The plant was listed in the US Pharmacopoeia for 100 years beginning in 1842. One folk use is as a hair tonic where it is said to grow hair on balding scalps. There is record of use of chaparral as being effective in removing residual traces of a hallucinogin from the system.

Applications: Antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antidiarrheal, diuretic, and emetic.

Used to treat influenza, colds, upset stomach, gas, gout, arthritis, sinusitis, anemia, allergies, autoimmunity diseases, menstrual problems, cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and fungal infections. Chaparral contains creosote which has antimicrobial properties.

It has been employed primarily in tea form to help with cramping pains, joint pains, and allergic problems, as well as to eliminate parasites.

Description:.

This evergreen shrub grows to 1-3 m. tall, sometimes to 4 m. Wand-like stems bear resinous, dark green leaves with two leaflets joined at the base, each leaflet is 7-18 mm long and 4-8.5 mm broad. Flowers up to 25 mm in diameter bear five yellow petals. The whole plant exhibits the characteristic odor of creosote, hence the common name

The small leaves of Chaparral have a high surface-volume ratio, optimizing the rate at which heat escapes so that the plants water content is retained. Water loss is also decreased by a resinous, waxy coating of the leaves. It is a well distributed and very successful species in the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts of western North America, closely related to the South American Larrea divaricata. These two species were previously considered to be one.

Chaparral commonly forms clonal colonies, which may be very long-lived; a ring of creosote bushes in the Mojave Desert is believed to be at least 12,000 years old.

Dosage: Infusion: 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of water, infused 20 min.

Safety:

There is some known negative safety information available for this herb

Not recommended for use when nursing or during pregnancy, in those with any liver disease including hepatitis, in those with kidney disease, for children under the 12.
Those with liver disease should seek advice from a qualified health care practitioner before any consumption. There have been cases of idiosyncratic non-viral hepatitis linked with this herb. . Some have experienced an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to the plant and plant resin.

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For educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.