Chaparral

(Larrea divaricata) Part used: Leaves. Properties: Alternative, antibiotic, antiseptic, parasiticide. What it affects: Stomach, intestine, and blood.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 10-20 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-10 #0 capsules (10-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, chaparral is one of the best herbal antibiotics. It is useful against bacteria, viruses, and parasites, both internally and externally. It fights free radicals and chelates heavy metals. It has anti-HIV activity. It protects against harmful effects of radiation. It may be taken internally for colds and flus, inflammations of the respiratory and intestinal tracts, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections.

• Chaparral protects against the formation of tumors, cancer cells, and over-exposure to sunlight. It contains a substance called NDGA (nordihydrogauraretic acid), which is a powerful antioxidant, useful in preserving fats and oils, and a powerful anti-tumor agent. American Indians used it to treat cancer. It relieves pain and is good for skin disorders. It is excellent as an addition to an herbal formula in the treatment of kidney and bladder infections.

Externally, chaparral is applied to wounds as an antiseptic. As an fomentation, it is applied to the skin for skin diseases, psoriasis, herpes, scabies, eczema, arthritic pains, skin parasites; it is to the scalp as a hair tonic and for dandruff. It makes a good hair rinse. A liniment made from chaparral or a bath made by soaking the leaves in the water is used for rheumatism.

Note: Chaparral is very bitter and is usually mixed with other herbs or taken in tincture form. Pau d’arco (Tabebuia heptaphylla), also called lapacho or taheebo, has similar antibiotic and anti-cancer properties, but is less harsh than chaparral.