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Dietary supplement

Chaparral Leaf/Stem Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Cedar Bear

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

Chaparral Leaf/Stem is a dietary supplement by Cedar Bear 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 Chaparral. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Chaparral Leaf/Stem by Cedar Bear

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

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (0.50 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains one active ingredient: Chaparral, a plant material sold here as a liquid extract with vegetable glycerin and purified 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 have effectiveness data on file for Chaparral. The evidence for what this ingredient can actually do isn't established 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 carries serious safety concerns. It's been linked to liver damage and kidney toxicity — in some cases severe enough to require a liver transplant.

You may see symptoms like yellowing skin or eyes, tiredness, pain in the upper right belly, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, or loss of appetite. The compound in chaparral thought to cause this damage is called NDGA.

Because of these toxicity risks, chaparral is not recommended for use. Do not take it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding — safety data is lacking and toxicity concerns are real.

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.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any medications that can stress the liver — chaparral may add to that risk. Use the interaction checker below to search your exact medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Given the serious liver and kidney toxicity linked to chaparral, this is not a product we'd recommend. If you're considering it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first — they can discuss safer alternatives and review your individual health picture.

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 23, 2020.

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 Leaf/Stem, straight from the product label.

Brand Cedar Bear
Barcode (UPC) 834711002264
Net contents 60 mL; 2 fl. Oz.
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 23, 2020
DSLD ID 237014
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Gluten Free, Sugar 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 Leaf/Stem by Cedar Bear, 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:
0.5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.5 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
834711002264
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend0.5 mL--
Chaparral0 NP--

Other ingredients: USP Grade Vegetable Glycerin, purified 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.
Formulation

Manufactured in the USA

True Alcohol Free Sugar Free Gluten Free

Vegan

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: .5 mL (10 drops) 1 to 3 times a day, or as needed. Shake well.

Precautions

Note: Consult your physician before use.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Good Manufacturing Practices K (Kosher)

Formula

K (Kosher)

Larrea tridentata

General Statements

Herbal Single

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Chaparral Leaf/Stem by Cedar Bear label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Chaparral Leaf/Stem by Cedar Bear

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

Serving size0.5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Proprietary Blend

0.5 mL per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: USP Grade Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Chaparral Leaf/Stem by Cedar Bear Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Chaparral Leaf/Stem?

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

Chaparral 370

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Chaparral Leaf/Stem 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.

Chaparral1 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 Leaf/Stem, from the product label.

Cedar Bear

See all Cedar Bear products
Name
Cedar Bear Naturales INC
Street Address
PO Box 158
City
Roosevelt
State
UT
ZipCode
84066
Phone Number
1-888-854-3727
Web Address
Cedarbear.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Chaparral Leaf/Stem by Cedar Bear: Common Questions

Does Chaparral Leaf/Stem by Cedar Bear interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Chaparral Leaf/Stem 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 Leaf/Stem 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.
Is chaparral safe to take?
No. Chaparral is linked to serious liver and kidney toxicity and is not recommended. Cases of liver damage severe enough to need transplant have been reported, and any possible benefits don't outweigh those risks.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Safety data is lacking and toxicity concerns are real. Avoid chaparral during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
What are the side effects I should watch for?
Chaparral can cause liver damage with signs like yellowing skin or eyes, tiredness, belly pain on the right side, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and loss of appetite. It can also cause serious conditions like cirrhosis, liver failure, and kidney damage.
Does chaparral actually work for anything?
We don't have effectiveness data for chaparral on file. Because of its serious toxicity risks, whether it works for any condition is outweighed by the safety concerns.

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

Not sure if Chaparral Leaf/Stem 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 Leaf/Stem label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Chaparral Leaf/Stem’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Chaparral Leaf/Stem'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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