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Chaparral (Larrea tridentate, Larrea divaricata) Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain chaparral. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with a pharmacist or health care professional before starting.
Scientists have studied chaparral for the following health problem: Cancer | Animal research suggests that chaparral may possess anticancer effects. However, limited research in humans using chaparral to treat different types of tumors has not found chaparral to have any significant anticancer effects. Therefore, it is unclear whether there is any benefit from chaparral for treating cancer. Chaparral has been associated with many serious and possibly deadly adverse effects. |
Chaparral has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care professional before taking chaparral for any unproven use. Abdominal cramps
Abortion
Acne
Actinic keratosis
Allergies
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant
Antiparasitic
Antiseptic
Antitumor
Arthritis
Autoimmune disorders
Blood purification
Bowel cramps
Breast cancer
Breathing problems
Bronchitis
Bruises
Burns
Bursitis
Cavity prevention (mouthwash)
Central nervous system disorders
Chickenpox
Cold sores
Colds
Coughs
Cytomegalovirus
Dandruff
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Diuretic
Enteritis
Epstein-Barr virus
Ethanol withdrawal
Expectorant
Fertility
Flu
Gas | Genitourinary infections
Hair tonic
Hallucinations
Heartburn
Herpes simplex virus
Herpes zoster virus
Immune function stimulation
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infections
Intestinal problems
Kaposi’s sarcoma
Leukemia
Liver cleanser
Liver metabolic function
Melanomas
Menstrual cramps
Neuritis
Pain
Painful joints
Parasites
Ovarian cancer
Premenstrual syndrome
Psoriasis
Respiratory tract infections
Rheumatic diseases
Sciatica
Scratches
Skin disorders
Skin infections
Snakebite pain
Stomach ulcers
Stomach upset
Tuberculosis
Urinary tract infections
Venereal disease
Vomiting
Wound healing |
Allergies People should avoid chaparral if they have a known allergy to chaparral or any of its components, including nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Signs of allergy include rash, itching and shortness of breath. There have been reports of skin allergies after contact with chaparral. Side Effects Chaparral is associated with many serious and possibly deadly adverse effects. Some people may experience rashes, itching, inflammation in the mouth and, possibly, fever. Chaparral may also lead to kidney failure, liver failure or cancer. If fatigue, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or eyes, increased abdominal girth, water retention or other side effects occur while taking chaparral, you should notify a health care professional immediately. Many case reports document chaparral leaf-induced liver damage when chaparral is taken by mouth. In some of the cases studied, the liver damage was reversed when the person stopped taking the chaparral. In other cases, a liver transplant was required. Chaparral may also increase blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you take prescription drugs to control your blood sugar levels. In theory, chaparral may also increase the risk of bleeding. If you have diabetes or use anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs and are considering using chaparral, you should discuss this with a health care professional. Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided when driving or operating heavy machinery. Aggravation of hypothyroidism may occur. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Chaparral cannot be recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding because of the risk of birth defects or spontaneous abortion. Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy. Chaparral may also inhibit ovulation and decrease the chance that a women will become pregnant.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs There is evidence that chaparral may interfere with the way the liver breaks down certain drugs. As a result, chaparral may cause the levels of drugs in the body to be too high, leading to serious side effects. If you are taking prescription drugs, ask a health care professional or pharmacist for advice before you take chaparral. Chaparral may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are also taking prescription drugs that may lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by a health care professional while using chaparral. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. In theory, chaparral may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs. Examples include warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Some pain relievers may also increase the risk of bleeding if used with chaparral. Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox). Because chaparral may be toxic to the kidneys, it should not be used with other drugs that may cause kidney damage, such as the antibiotics gentamicin and vancomycin. People taking prescription drugs that may damage the liver should also avoid chaparral. Examples include amiodarone, ketoconazole and valproic acid. There is also the possibility that blood pressure may become dangerously high if chaparral is taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, although there is limited research supporting this. Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and may cause nausea or vomiting when taken with metronidazole (Flagyl) or disulfiram (Antabuse). Chaparral may aggravate indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. Chaparral may inhibit barbiturate metabolism. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements In theory, chaparral may increase the blood levels of herbs processed by the liver, such as chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus). Check with a health care professional before starting chaparral if you are taking other herbs or supplements. Chaparral may also lower blood sugar levels. People using other herbs or supplements that may alter blood sugar levels, such as bitter melon ( Momordica charantia), should be monitored closely by a health care professional while using chaparral. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. In theory, chaparral may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with products such as Ginkgo biloba and garlic ( Allium sativum). It is also possible that chaparral may increase the risk of kidney or liver damage or increase the risk of high blood pressure if used with other herbs with these effects. Effects of vitamin K may be decreased.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care professional before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. There are no standard or well-studied doses of chaparral. Many different doses are used traditionally and may be toxic. Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Tablets/capsules: These dosage forms are not recommended because of the risk of toxic effects. Tea: Tea has been made from one teaspoon of chaparral leaves and flowers steeped in one pint of water for 15 minutes. One to three cups daily for a few days have been used, although chaparral may be toxic. Chaparral tea has also been made by steeping seven to eight grams of crumbled dried leaves, stems, and twigs in one quart of hot water. As a water extract, chaparral may be consumed in the amount of one to three cups of chaparral tea per day for a period of two to three weeks. Tincture: A dose of 20 drops up to three times per day has been used, although this dose may be toxic. Topical: Topical preparations of chaparral have been made. Children (Younger Than 18) There are not enough scientific data to recommend chaparral for use in children, and this herb is not recommended because of potentially severe side effects.
Chaparral has been suggested as a treatment for many conditions. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of chaparral for any medical problem. Multiple toxic effects have been associated with chaparral, including kidney and liver damage. Chaparral may increase the risk of bleeding and may lower blood sugar levels. It should be used cautiously by people taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) and by individuals using drugs to control their blood sugar levels. Chaparral should be avoided in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children. Consult a health care professional immediately if you have any side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Chaparral Natural Standard reviewed more than 60 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Alderman S, Kailas S, Goldfarb S, et al. Cholestatic hepatitis after ingestion of chaparral leaf: confirmation by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and liver biopsy. J Clin Gastroenterol 1994;19(3):242-247.
- Anonymous. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chaparral-induced toxic hepatitis: California and Texas, 1992. JAMA 1992;Dec 16, 268(23):3295, 3298.
- Anonymous. Chaparral-induced toxic hepatitis: California and Texas, 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1992;Oct 30, 41(43):812-814.
- Batchelor WB, Heathcote J, Wanless IR. Chaparral-induced hepatic injury. Am J Gastroenterol 1995;May, 90(5):831-833.
- Chitturi S, Farrell GC. Drug-induced cholestasis. Semin Gastrointest Dis 2001;Apr, 12(2):113-124.
- Fleiss PM. Chaparral and liver toxicity. JAMA 1995;Sep 20, 274(11):871. Author reply, 871-872. Comment in: JAMA 1995;Feb 8, 273(6):489-490.
- Gordon DW, Rosenthal G, Hart J, et al. Chaparral ingestion: the broadening spectrum of liver injury caused by herbal medications. JAMA 1995;Feb 8, 273(6):489-490. Comment in: JAMA 1995;Feb 8, 273(6):502. JAMA 1995;Sep 20, 274(11):871. Author reply, 871-872.
- Heron S, Yarnell E. The safety of low-dose Larrea tridentata (DC) Coville (creosote bush or chaparral): a retrospective clinical study. J Altern Complement Med 2001;Apr, 7(2):175-185.
- Ippen H. Chaparral and liver toxicity. JAMA 1995;Sep 20, 274(11):871. Author reply, 871-872. Erratum in: JAMA 1995;Dec 20, 274(23):1838. Comment in: JAMA 1995;Feb 8, 273(6):489-490.
- Katz M, Saibil F. Herbal hepatitis: subacute hepatic necrosis secondary to chaparral leaf. J Clin Gastroenterol 1990;Apr, 12(2):203-206.
- Luo J, Chuang T, Cheung J, et al. Masoprocol (nordihydroguaiaretic acid): a new antihyperglycemic agent isolated from the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). Eur J Pharmacol 1998;346(1):77-79.
- Obermeyer WR, Musser SM, Betz JM, et al. Chemical studies of phytoestrogens and related compounds in dietary supplements: flax and chaparral. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1995;208(1):6-12.
- Shad JA, Chinn CG, Brann OS. Acute hepatitis after ingestion of herbs. South Med J 1999;Nov, 92(11):1095-1097.
- Sheikh NM, Philen RM, Love LA. Chaparral-associated hepatotoxicity. Arch Intern Med 1997;Apr 28, 157(8):913-919.
- Smart CR, Hogle HH, Vogel H, et al. Clinical experience with nordihydroguaiaretic acid: "chaparral tea" in the treatment of cancer. Rocky Mt Med J 1970;67(11):39-43.
- Smith AY, Feddersen RM, Gardner KD Jr, et al. Cystic renal cell carcinoma and acquired renal cystic disease associated with consumption of chaparral tea: a case report. J Urol 1994;152(6 Pt 1):2089-2091.
- Smith BC, Desmond PV. Acute hepatitis induced by ingestion of the herbal medication chaparral. Aust N Z J Med 1993;Oct, 23(5):526.
- Stashower ME, Torres RZ. Chaparral and liver toxicity. JAMA 1995;Sep 20, 274(11):871. Author reply, 871-872. Comment in: JAMA 1995;Feb 8, 273(6):489-490.
- Stickel F, Egerer G, Seitz HK. Hepatotoxicity of botanicals. Public Health Nutr 2000;Jun, 3(2):113-124. Comment in: Public Health Nutr 2000;Jun, 3(2):111.
Last updated June 29, 2005
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