Bella Mira ph Rescue, alkaline supplement,

Introduction

Chaparral, also referred to as Greasewood, Creosote Bush, Chaparro, Little Stinker, and Goberrnadora, is an herb derived from the common desert shrubs Larrea tridentata and Larrea divaricata. Native to the Southwestern United States, the leaves and stem of these desert plants have been used for centuries by Native American healers. Twentieth century herbalists had come to view Chaparral as an effective herbal antibiotic and as a possible treatment for intestinal parasites. Chaparral has also been historically employed as a support remedy for the treatment of colds, flu, and diarrhea.

Chaparral's extremely bitter taste prevents animals from grazing upon it and it does not burn easily. It is regarded as one of the most adaptable of all the United States desert plants as it grows in depleted soil and can survive for long periods of time without rainfall. It was one of the first plants to grow back after the 1962 nuclear bomb test at Yucca Flats.

The primary properties of Chaparral are considered to be alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiseptic, antiparasitic, bitter tonic, diuretic, expectorant, immune stimulant, and laxative. The primary known constituents of Chaparral include nordihydroguaiaretic acid, resins, flavonoids, essential oils, and saponins. Chaparral does not contain creosote.

The primary constituent in Chaparral is considered to be the compound called nordihydroguaiaretic acid, or NDGA, for short. NDGA is a powerful antioxidant, that is widely used in the food industry as a preservative for lard and animal shortenings. Early studies had raised hopes that NDGA might prove to be an effective treatment for some forms of cancer when it was revealed that NDGA was able to inhibit the growth of some cancer cells in animals.

Chaparral has been used in the past for a variety of topical applications. Branches have been cooked in oil and strained so that the oil can be massaged into rheumatic limbs. Steam from burning branches has been inhaled in sweat lodges. As a mouthwash, Chaparral has been used to fight cavities. Chaparral is also made into liniments, salves and compresses. Chaparral has also been used as a bath herb, and as a hair rinse for dandruff.

Constituents

Alpha-pinene, amino acids, beta-pinene, cobalt, gossypetin, limonene, nordihydroguaiaretic acid or NDGA, zinc.

Parts Used

Typical Preparations

Tinctures used to make creams and lotions for external use. Sometimes used internally as a tea in alternative cancer treatments. Seldom found encapsulated or as an extract.

Summary

Chaparral contains lignans that are very similar to estrogen, giving it an effect on the skin similar to that of soy taken internally. Applied to the skin, chaparral can have a remarkable healing effect on eczema, herpes, cold sores, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis.