Chaparral

Botanical

What is it

Chaparral (Larrea tridentata, creosote bush) is a desert shrub used in traditional Indigenous medicine of the American Southwest. Its main active compound is nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA).

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Any oral health claim

Mixed Evidence

No clinical benefit established; documented serious liver toxicity outweighs any speculative benefit.

How it works

NDGA is a potent antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitor. Historical and folk use targeted inflammation, parasites, and topical wound care. NDGA has been studied for various pharmacological effects including longevity in animal models. However, oral chaparral has been linked to hepatotoxicity, with multiple case reports of acute liver injury including some requiring transplantation. The FDA has issued warnings, and the American Herbal Products Association has recommended against internal use.

Dosage

There is no safe established oral dose. Some external uses for skin conditions have been described, but ingestion is not advised.

When and how to take it

Not applicable; internal use is not recommended.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Topical salve (cautious use only)

Some traditional topical uses exist; not endorsed for systemic claims.

Topical absorption is limited.

Safety

Documented hepatotoxicity makes internal use unsafe. Acute liver failure has occurred even with short-term use. Topical use carries fewer risks but is not well studied.

Who should be cautious

Avoid entirely for oral use. Definitely avoid in pregnancy, liver disease, and in people taking hepatotoxic medications.

Interactions

May potentiate hepatotoxicity of other liver-stressing drugs. Avoid combining with acetaminophen, alcohol, or other hepatotoxic substances.

Frequently asked questions

Is chaparral tea safe to drink?⌄

No. Oral chaparral has caused serious liver injury and should not be consumed.

Why is chaparral still sold?⌄

It is sold as a dietary supplement under limited regulatory oversight. Reputable herbalists no longer recommend internal use.

References

Chaparral on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Chaparral on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Chaparral (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.