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Herbs & Supplements

Creosote bush
Scientific Name: Chaparral
Other Names: Greaswood, Hediondilla, Larrea divaricata, Larrea glutinosa, Larrea tridentata, Stinkweed

Should I take it?

Chaparral includes a group of hardy evergreen shrubs that grow in dry areas of the southwestern United States and Mexico. In general, they have a bitter taste and a characteristic smell similar to coal tar. Native people and early settlers in the area chewed chaparral leaves or brewed its leaves and twigs into a tea to treat arthritis, infections, stomach conditions, and a host of other ailments. Formerly, chaparral was also made into liniments or other topical forms for treating arthritis pain or skin conditions. In the 1960s, chaparral was touted as a treatment for cancer, but those claims were never documented by scientifically controlled human studies. In fact, one small study of 34 patients found that taking one of chaparral's active ingredients actually accelerated the growth of cancerous tumors.

In 1970, the FDA removed chaparral from the list of products that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). In the early 1990s at least a dozen cases of non-viral hepatitis or liver damage were attributed to taking chaparral--prompting the FDA to issue a warning to consumers. At that time, most products containing chaparral were taken off the U.S. market by their manufacturers. Currently, oral and topical chaparral products may be available through foreign manufacturers, but they are considered dangerous and they should not be used.

Dosage and Administration

The use of chaparral in any form is discouraged strongly.

Summary

The use of chaparral is discouraged. It was removed from sale in the United States after several cases of liver damage or hepatitis were definitely associated with taking chaparral.

Risks

Taking chaparral has been documented to cause hepatitis and liver damage.

Side Effects

By mouth, chaparral can cause liver damage that may have no symptoms or may result in excessive fatigue; nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; painful or swollen abdomen; and yellowed skin or eyes. Taking it has also been associated with kidney damage and hepatitis.

Interactions

Chaparral should not be taken by mouth. If it is used orally, however, it may interfere with the effectiveness of MAO-inhibiting drugs such as Marplan and Nardil.

Last Revised April 27, 2006

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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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