Bulk Chaparral Leaf Cut & Sifted, Wild Crafted

Larrea Tridentata
Chaparral leaf, c/s, wild crafted image
[ 1014 ]Larrea Tridentata

Chaparral Leaf Cut & Sifted, Wild Crafted

1/4 Pound:  $4.30 Pound:  $9.55 buy now  

Chaparral is a shrubby desert plant found in the southwestern U.S., Mexico and Argentina. The bush is also known as grease wood and creosote, which reference the characteristic tar-like odor the entire plant exudes after it rains.

Internal use is not recommended due to potential kidney and liver toxicity, but may be used to produce tinctures for topical applications.

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a.
quick look

information at a glance

approximate cups to one pound7
originmexico
active compoundsA lignan in chaparral, known as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a potent antioxidant.
plant part usedleaf, stem
processingcut & sifted

b.
buying & keeping

general guidelines and tips

storage tipsStore in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
appearance & aromaDull green with a pungent aroma.

c.
uses

try something new

cosmeticUse to make oil or water-based infusions to produce skin washes, lotions and salves.
culinaryChaparral is not generally consumed internally because the taste is not well tolerated.
safetyTinctures and capsules are sometimes used by experienced clinical practitioners in small doses but be aware that there is a risk of liver toxicity with this herb, especially if taken with other medicines that utilize CP450 pathways for metabolism.

d.
flavor profile

cut & sifted
chaparral leaf

Very bitter and astringent tasting.

e.
formulas & recipes

cut & sifted
chaparral leaf

coming soon

f.
what else you should know

cut & sifted
chaparral leaf

Chaparral, also known as creosote bush because of the tar-like odor it exudes after a rainfall, is a perennial shrub found throughout the southwestern United States, most notably in California. The plant has also earned the nickname gobernadora, which means “governess” in Spanish, because it ensures its survival by drawing a greater share of available water away from neighboring plants. There’s little doubt that this ability has enabled one variety of this herb to survive in the Mohave Dessert for more than 11,000 years

The herb has a long history of use in fighting bacterial, viral and protozoan infections, often in combination with other appropriate botanicals. Chaparral contains several antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds, which makes the herb desirable for topical use against a wide range of skin conditions.


Background: American name referring broadly to any dense thicket of shrubs growing in alkali soils. Chaparral has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans for a variety of purposes. 

Description: This evergreen shrub grows to 1-3 m. tall, sometimes to 4 m. Wand-like stems bear resinous, dark green leaves with two leaflets joined at the base, each leaflet is 7-18 mm long and 4-8.5 mm broad. Flowers up to 25 mm in diameter bear five yellow petals. The whole plant exhibits the characteristic odor of creosote, hence the common name

The small leaves of Chaparral have a high surface-volume ratio, optimizing the rate at which heat escapes so that the plants water content is retained. Water loss is also decreased by a resinous, waxy coating of the leaves. It is a well distributed and very successful species in the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts of western North America, closely related to the South American Larrea divaricata. These two species were previously considered to be one.

Chaparral commonly forms clonal colonies, which may be very long-lived; a ring of creosote bushes in the Mojave Desert is believed to be at least 12,000 years old.

Safety: There is some known negative safety information available for this herb

Not recommended for use when nursing or during pregnancy, in those with any liver disease including hepatitis, in those with kidney disease, for children under the 12.
Those with liver disease should seek advice from a qualified health care practitioner before any consumption. There have been cases of idiosyncratic non-viral hepatitis linked with this herb. Some have experienced an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to the plant and plant resin.

Frequently bought together


for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised:  Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.