Chaparral
OTHER NAME(S): Chamanilla, Creosote Bush, Greasewood, Hediondilla, Jarilla, Jarilla del Cerro, Jarilla Hembra, Larreastat, Yarilla, Larrea divaricata, Larrea tridentata, Larrea mexicana, Zygophyllum tridentatum, Creosote, Chaparrel, chapparel
Overview
Chaparral is a plant. The chaparral leaf is used to make medicine, but there are serious safety concerns with its use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada have advised consumers against using products containing chaparral due to these safety concerns.
Despite serious safety concerns, people use chaparral for digestion problems, respiratory tract conditions, skin disorders, arthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Arthritis.
- Cancer.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Tuberculosis.
- Colds.
- Skin conditions.
- Stomach problems (cramps, gas).
- Weight loss.
- Urinary and respiratory infections.
- Chickenpox.
- Wounds.
- Skin infections.
- Hair growth.
- Skin cancer.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of chaparral for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Chaparral is LIKELY UNSAFE. There are several reports of serious poisoning, acute hepatitis, and kidney and liver damage, including kidney and liver failure, in people who have taken chaparral. Chaparral can also cause side effects including stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chaparral is safe. It might cause side effects such as rash and itching in some people.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Chaparral is LIKELY UNSAFE. There are several reports of serious poisoning, acute hepatitis, and kidney and liver damage, including kidney and liver failure, in people who have taken chaparral. Chaparral can also cause side effects including stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chaparral is safe. It might cause side effects such as rash and itching in some people.
It's LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone to take chaparral by mouth. But chaparral is especially dangerous for people with the following conditions:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Chaparral is LIKELY UNSAFE. It can cause serious liver and kidney problems. Don't use products containing chaparral when pregnant or breast-feeding.
Liver disease: Chaparral might make liver disease worse. Don't use it.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with ChaparralChaparral might harm the liver. Taking chaparral along with medication that might also harm the liver can increase the risk of liver damage. Do not take chaparral if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver. Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of chaparral depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chaparral. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
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- Batchelor WB, Heathcote J, Wanless IR. Chaparral-induced hepatic injury. Am J Gastroenterol 1995;90:831-3.
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- Chaparral-induced toxic hepatitis-California and Texas, 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1992;41:812-4..
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- Uchide, N., Ohyama, K., Bessho, T., and Toyoda, H. Inhibition of influenza-virus-induced apoptosis in chorion cells of human fetal membranes by nordihydroguaiaretic Acid. Intervirology 2005;48(5):336-340.
- Birkenfeld, S., Zaltsman, Y. A., Krispin, M., Zakut, H., Zor, U., and Kohen, F. Antitumor effects of inhibitors of arachidonic acid cascade on experimentally induced intestinal tumors. Dis.Colon Rectum 1987;30(1):43-46.
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- Smart, C. R., Hogle, H. H., Vogel, H., Broom, A. D., and Bartholomew, D. Clinical experience with nordihydroguaiaretic acid--"chaparrel tea" in the treatment of cancer. Rocky.Mt.Med J 1970;67(11):39-43.
- Smart, C. R., Hogle, H. H., Robins, R. K., Broom, A. D., and Bartholomew, D. An interesting observation on nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NSC-4291; NDGA) and a patient with malignant melanoma--a preliminary report. Cancer Chemother.Rep. 1969;53(2):147-151.
- Alderman, S., Kailas, S., Goldfarb, S., Singaram, C., and Malone, D. G. Cholestatic hepatitis after ingestion of chaparral leaf: confirmation by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and liver biopsy. J Clin.Gastroenterol. 1994;19(3):242-247.
- Obermeyer, W. R., Musser, S. M., Betz, J. M., Casey, R. E., Pohland, A. E., and Page, S. W. Chemical studies of phytoestrogens and related compounds in dietary supplements: flax and chaparral. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1995;208(1):6-12.
- Clark, F. Chaparral-induced toxic hepatitis: California and Texas, 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1992;41:812-814.
- Downum, KR, Dole, J, and Rodriguez, E. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid: inter- and intrapopulational variation in the Sonoran Desert creosote bush (Larrea tridentata, Zygophyllaceae). Biochem Syst Ecol 1988;16(6):551-555.
- Government of Canada. Archive - Health Canada warns consumers not to take products containing chaparral. https://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2005/13575a-eng.php. Accessed September 27, 2019.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. FDA Poisonous plant database. https://www.cfsanappsexternal.fda.gov/scripts/Plantox/Detail.CFM?ID=28. Accessed September 27, 2019.
- Peralta I, Marrassini C, Saint Martin M, et al. Anti-hyperglycaemic effect and nutritional properties of an aqueous extract of Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022 Oct 5;296:115429.