"Chaparral Leaf – Powerful Antioxidant for Asthma & Arthritis"Chaparral Leaf is a herb that has antiinflammatory, astringent, diuretic, and tonic characteristics. American Indians once made a tea from this leaf to treat arthritis, respiratory problems, and even cancer. It is a powerful antioxidant, and is useful in treating infections in the intestinal and urinary tracts, and helps to treat diarrhea caused by pathogenic bacteria. Chaparral Leaf is considered to be an expectorant herb, making it a useful treatment for several respiratory problems such as the common cold. Excess production of mucus can occur with conditions such as asthma and bronchitis which compromises respiratory function. During an asthma attack, the inner linings of the airways in your lungs swell and become irritated. At the same time, your lungs produce large amounts of mucus, making breathing even more difficult. One of its components, nordihydroguaiarectic acid (NDGA), is considered to be a potent antioxidant. NDGA is classified as a cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor. Drugs in this category influence the production of a inflammatory group of hormones known as leukotrienes. Asthma attacks, for example, are often triggered by leukotrienes. As a result, lipooxygenase Inhibitors are often used to treat asthma, while cyclooxygenase inhibitors are often used to treat arthritis. Chaparral leaf contains high antioxidant levels that make it an appropriate choice for cancer prevention. Indeed, some research on laboratory animals indicates it may actually restrict the growth of cancerous tumors. In this study, the animals that had cancerous tumors and were given this herb, actually survived longer than those in the control group. Additionally, there are numerous citations on the Internet by individuals who actually eliminated cancerous tumors from their bodies by taking this herb. Basically, there are two mechanisms of action by which it works.
It functions as a powerful detoxifying agent that purifies your blood. it is so powerful that you may initially experience side effects such as skin rashes or pimples for a few days as your body adjusts to it. Consequently, a number of mild complaints such as headaches and respiratory complications may be caused by a buildup of toxic chemicals in your body. Individuals that work with chemicals such as photographers for example, may find it beneficial for some of these conditions. As it has antiseptic capabilities, Athlete's foot can be alleviated by soaking the feet in a chaparral tea solution, (2 teaspoons at chaparral leaf per each cup of water). Also, a poultice made from slippery elm mixed with chaparral and aloe vera applied to the skin, will provide additional relief. It also exhibits the following herbal actions:
In 1992, after several individuals contracted acute toxic hepatitis, the Food and Drug Administration classified Chaparral Leaf to be a dangerous herb. Most of these individuals recovered completely from this illness after discontinuation of it. Subsequently, in the two years following this scare, there were no additional cases of chaparral toxicity. After an extensive review in 1995, the Board of Trustees of the American Herbal Products Association stated that it was safe for resale, and it began to be sold once again in the United States. Nevertheless, there may be some side effects accompanying consumption of this herb. here are some of the major side effects associated with it:
In conclusion, Chaparral Leaf has demonstrated efficacy for many medical conditions. Although there was a scare in the mid-1990s, there have been no additional cases of hepatitis associated with this herb. However, if you began to experience any side effects, stop taking it immediately. Also, it might behoove you to talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking the herb, to check for any possible drug interactions with the medicines you may be taking.
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