Larrea divaricata Cav, and L. mexicana Moric., Larrea tridentada (De Candolle) Coville, (Zygophyllaceae) commonly called chaparral, creosote bush, or greasewood.
Source
The name chaparral r... *
"love the tea, used it a while a go in the leaf form so this is just fine.
" -- Yamel
* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Larrea divaricata Cav, and L. mexicana Moric., Larrea tridentada (De Candolle) Coville, (Zygophyllaceae) commonly called chaparral, creosote bush, or greasewood.
Source
The name chaparral refers to an assortment of shrubs that grow in the Southwest deserts of the United States and Mexico. Active ingredients are found in the leaves and twigs.
History
American Indians used a tea brewed from the leaves to treat arthritis, respiratory infections, and even cancer. Spanish explorers brewed and drank chaparral tea in hopes of curing (probably without much success) the venereal disease they brought with them to the New World. A compound found in the leaves, nordihydroguaiarectic acid (NDGA), is a potent antioxidant. Some thought it might be used to prevent cancer. NDGA was used as a food preservative in the United States until 1967 when, acting on evidence that chronic exposure can cause cancer in experimental animals, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) removed it from the General Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list, and researchers gave up on the idea of using NDGA to prevent cancer.
Traditional Claims
Febrifuge, expectorant
Commission E Recommendations
Chaparral was not reviewed by Commission E.
Proven Effects
NDGA is classified as a cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor. Drugs in this category control the formation of a group of hormones known as leukotrienes which, in turn, mediate the inflammatory process. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors are used to treat arthritis, and lipoxygenase inhibitors are thought to be especially important in asthma. Zileuton™, the new asthma medication from Abbott Laboratories, is a lipoxygenase inhibitor. The down side to lipoxygenase inhibitors, naturally or synthetic, is that they may cause liver damage. In addition to using chaparral for respiratory infections and arthritis, it has also been recommended for weight loss, used as a burn salve, touted as a way to "purify" the blood and "remove toxins," and promoted as a "free radical scavenger" that can prevent aging.
Dosage
Leaves and stems contain 7 percent NGDA, along with the other chemical constituents. When teas are brewed from the leaves, only 40 percent of the NGDA is dissolved in the water (no one knows for sure about the other constituents). The lower NGDA content may explain why the teas seem to be less toxic than products prepared from the dried leaves. The effective dosage range in humans is not known with any certainty.
One half-ounce infused in a pint of boiling water or 3-6 grams of the dried leaves infused in boiling water; of the tincture, 10-30 drops. It should be taken at least threes times daily.
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Directions
Stir 1/4 of a teaspoon into a glass of water and consume 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
Concerns
Synthetic lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors can cause liver damage, so it would not be very surprising if it turned out that the herbal forms of these drugs could also cause such damage. And, indeed, reports compiled by the Office of Special Nutritionals at the FDA suggest that users of chaparral products are at risk for liver damage, perhaps even liver failure. A report, published in 1997, described 13 cases of severe liver injury, but the exact mechanism in these cases remains unclear. About the only thing that is known for sure is that the liver damage was not due to NGDA. No liver damage was seen in volunteers given up to 400 mg per day of NGDA (100 times more than the amount taken per day by chaparral users who did develop liver damage). Most of the individuals with liver damage were taking powdered chaparral in capsules (400-500 mg), but investigation of the cases did not disclose any obvious connection between the total amount of chaparral taken and the severity of the reactions. Other published reports have described kidney damage and skin reactions, especially after the use of pure NDGA extracted from chaparral leaves. Such reports are, however, quite rare.
Warnings
There is no question that kidney and liver damage occurs in rats fed NDGA on a long-term basis. The same sort of reaction probably also occurs in humans. There is one case report, describing a woman who ingested very large quantities of powdered chaparral over a long period, who developed a kidney cancer with features that resembled exactly those seen in the rats fed high doses of NDGA. One case does not, of course, prove a connection, but the changes in the laboratory animals are worrisome.
Drug Testing
Chaparral should not interfere with any of the currently used workplace urine drug screening tests.
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
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ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
