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Dietary supplement

Chaparral Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herb Pharm

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Chaparral is a dietary supplement by Herb Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for pain and inflammation, skin conditions, antioxidant/general wellness.Based on those ingredients, 370 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Chapparral Flowering Aerial Parts Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Chaparral by Herb Pharm

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: chaparral flowering aerial parts extract. The liquid also includes certified organic cane alcohol and distilled water as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Chaparral product and its label doesn't state a use — see Chaparral's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

We don't hold effectiveness data for chaparral in our records.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Chaparral

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Chaparral is flagged as unsafe for oral use. It's been linked to serious liver damage (hepatoxicity) — cases have included jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss, as well as more severe outcomes like cirrhosis, acute hepatitis, and liver failure requiring transplant.

Kidney toxicity has also been documented. The ingredient responsible is thought to be nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a compound naturally present in chaparral.

Avoid chaparral during pregnancy and breastfeeding — the safety data advises against it due to toxicity concerns and insufficient data on safety in these situations.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Chaparral

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Chaparral.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 371 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Chaparral carries a Moderate severity interaction with hepatotoxic drugs (liver-damaging medications). Check your full medication list with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

The safety profile for oral chaparral is serious enough that its risks likely outweigh any potential benefit. If you're considering it, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — especially if you have any liver or kidney concerns or take medications that affect the liver.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Chaparral, straight from the product label.

Brand Herb Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 090800000720
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 275099
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Chaparral by Herb Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Servings per container
168
UPC/BARCODE
090800000720
IngredientAmount% DV
Chapparral Flowering Aerial Parts Extract621 mg--

Other ingredients: certified organic Cane Alcohol, distilled Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use Shake well before using Add 1 full squeeze of the dropper bulb to 2 oz. of water or juice, 2 or 3 times per day. Best taken between meals.

Precautions

Caution: Seek expert medical advice before taking during pregnancy.

Not for use if you have or have had kidney or liver disease. Discontinue use if nausea, fever, fatigue or jaundice occur (e.g., dark urine or yellow discoloration of eyes).

Keep out of the reach of children

Storage

Store away from heat & light

Formula

Larrea tridentata

Chaparral liquid extract

Formulation

Optimal well-being

Gluten-free

Dry herb /menstruum ratio: 1:4

We prepare our Chaparral Extract from the flowering aerial parts of Larrea tridentata plants which are responsibly wildcrafted in their natural habitat in the deserts of southwestern America.

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Chaparral by Herb Pharm label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Chaparral by Herb Pharm

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container168 Amounts shown are per serving.

621 mg per serving

Chaparral is a desert shrub long used in traditional medicine, but there is no reliable proof it treats any condition. It has been linked to serious a...

Chapparral Flowering Aerial Parts Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Certified organic Cane Alcohol, Distilled Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Chaparral by Herb Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Chaparral?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
370Drugs
370 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Chaparral with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Chapparral Flowering Aerial Parts Extract1 drug type · 370 drugs

Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, chaparral might have additive adverse effects on the liver when used with hepatotoxic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Chaparral, from the product label.

Herb Pharm

See all Herb Pharm products
Name
Herb Pharm
City
Williams
State
OR
ZipCode
97544
Phone Number
800-348-4372
Web Address
www.herb-pharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Chaparral by Herb Pharm: Common Questions

Does Chaparral by Herb Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Chaparral has a known interaction with 370 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Chaparral contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What are the main safety concerns with chaparral?
Chaparral can cause serious liver damage, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure — some cases have required transplant. It's also been linked to kidney damage. These risks mean it's considered unsafe for oral use.
Can I take chaparral if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against chaparral during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to toxicity concerns and lack of safety information in these situations.
What are the symptoms of chaparral toxicity?
Early signs include jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), fatigue, dark urine, light stools, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and abdominal pain in the upper right area. More severe complications include cirrhosis and liver failure.
Why does chaparral cause liver damage?
A compound in chaparral called nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is thought to be responsible for the liver and kidney toxicity.
What should I do if I'm taking a medication that affects my liver?
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using chaparral — the combination could harm your liver further, and that risk needs a careful review of your specific medications.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Chaparral is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Chaparral label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Chaparral's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 16 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Chaparral 16 references
  1. Smith BC, Desmond PV. Acute hepatitis induced by ingestion of the herbal medication chaparral. Aust N Z J Med 1993;23:526.. PubMed
  2. Gordon DW, Rosenthal G, Hart J, et al. Chaparral ingestion: the broadening spectrum of liver injury caused by herbal medications. JAMA 1995;273:489-90.
  3. Batchelor WB, Heathcote J, Wanless IR. Chaparral-induced hepatic injury. Am J Gastroenterol 1995;90:831-3.
  4. Katz M, Saibil F. Herbal hepatitis: subacute hepatic necrosis secondary to chaparral leaf. J Clin Gastroenterol 1990;12:203-6.
  5. Klepser TB, Klepser ME. Unsafe and potentially safe herbal therapies. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1999;56:125-38. PubMed
  6. Sheikh NM, Philen RM, Love LA. Chaparral-associated hepatotoxicity. Arch Intern Med 1997;157:913-9. DOI
  7. Heron S, Yarnell E. The safety of low-dose Larrea tridentata (DC) Coville (creosote bush or chaparral): a retrospective clinical study. J Altern Complement Med 2001;7:175-85..
  8. Chaparral-induced toxic hepatitis-California and Texas, 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1992;41:812-4.. DOI
  9. Estes JD, Stolpman D, Olyaei A, et al. High prevalence of potentially hepatotoxic herbal supplement use in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Arch Surg 2003;138:852-8.. PubMed
  10. Lambert JD, Zhao D, Meyers RO, et al. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid: hepatotoxicity and detoxification in the mouse. Toxicon 2002;40:1701-8.. PubMed
  11. Shasky DR. Contact dermatitis from Larrea tridentata (creosote bush). J Am Acad Dermatol 1986;15:302.. PubMed
  12. Smith AY, Feddersen RM, Gardner KD Jr, Davis CJ Jr. Cystic renal cell carcinoma and acquired renal cystic disease associated with consumption of chaparral tea: a case report. J Urol 1994;152:2089-91.. PubMed
  13. Kauma, H., Koskela, R., Makisalo, H., Autio-Harmainen, H., Lehtola, J., and Hockerstedt, K. Toxic acute hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis after consumption of chaparral tablets. Scand.J Gastroenterol. 2004;39(11):1168-1171. PubMed
  14. Leonforte, J. F. Contact dermatitis from Larrea (creosote bush). J Am Acad.Dermatol. 1986;14(2 Pt 1):202-207. PubMed
  15. Alderman, S., Kailas, S., Goldfarb, S., Singaram, C., and Malone, D. G. Cholestatic hepatitis after ingestion of chaparral leaf: confirmation by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and liver biopsy. J Clin.Gastroenterol. 1994;19(3):242-247.
  16. Clark, F. Chaparral-induced toxic hepatitis: California and Texas, 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1992;41:812-814. DOI

See these in context on the Chaparral monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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