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Herbs > Chaparral (Larrea divaricata)
Chaparral is not one of the
more common herbs in New Zealand. It may be necessary
to visit a specialist herbal shop in order to obtain
it. It is a blood-purifying and antiseptic properties
which makes it a helpful herb.
Healing uses:
The widest use of chaparral is for blood
purifying. Expelling toxins from the blood to improve
general health, of course, but there are many
specific benefits to it. People who work with
chemicals, such as photography or industrial
chemicals, on a regular basis will find it helpful. A
variety of mild complaints headaches or
breathing problems, for instance may be caused
by a build-up of chemicals in the blood, and once the
chemicals are expelled, these complaints will be
eliminated. Some more serious conditions can be
caused by the presence of toxins in the system.
Sufferers of arthritis, rheumatism, sinusitis and
bursitis may find the condition significantly
alleviated after blood purification. It can ease the
withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking or drinking
by removing the nicotine or alcohol from the body
more quickly, and also eliminating chemicals
associated which cause cravings. It is also excellent
for eliminating a build-up of chemicals from
processed foods before embarking on an organic
lifestyle.
Blood purification using
chaparral is a lengthy process, but it is well worth.
On the first evening, place 1 teaspoon of chaparral
leaf into a mug and pour 1 cup of hot (not boiling)
water over it. Leave to stand overnight, then strain
in the morning and drink the liquid before consuming
anything else that day. Do not discard the chaparral
leaf, but cover again immediately with hot water.
Leave until the next morning, then strain and drink
the liquid again. Once more, cover the same chaparral
leaves with 1 cup of hot water, and drink the liquid
the next morning. On the third morning, discard the
leaves after drinking the liquid. That evening,
re-start the process with fresh chaparral leaves.
Repeat the three-day cycle seven times
drinking the chaparral extract every day for 21 days
in total. It is important to follow these
instructions carefully, as the concentration of the
chaparral extract is being varied daily according to
a specific formula.
A milder chaparral tea can be
used for smaller scale detoxification. Pour 1 cup of
boiling water over 1 teaspoon of chaparral leaf and
leave to stand for 10 minutes. This is excellent when
having a bad reaction to some food, or to speed
recovery after over-indulging in alcohol. It is also
said to hasten the elimination of LSD from the body,
which will prevent flashbacks from occurring.
As well as its blood
purification properties, chaparral is an excellent
anti-fungal and antibacterial herb. Athletes
foot will be alleviated by soaking the feet in a
double strength chaparral tea (2 teaspoons of
chaparral leaf to 1 cup of hot water). A paste of
chaparral and slippery elm powders mixed with aloe
vera gel will further improve this condition.
Athletes foot, along with
other fungal infections, such as nail fungus,
ringworm and vaginal yeast infections, can benefit
from chaparral taken internally. A mixture of 4 parts
chaparral powder, 2 parts garlic powder, 1/2 part
powdered ginger and 1/2 part cayenne powder taken
three times daily in 1/2 teaspoon doses with a large
glass of water is an excellent remedy for these
infections. This mixture will also make an excellent
antibiotic for throat or chest infections.
Medical tests have indicated
that chaparral could inhibit the growth of tumours,
and therefore may be extremely beneficial in the
treatment of cancer. This use if the herb is very
much in the experimental stage, although some
herbalists speak very highly of this application of
it.
Cautions:
Heavy users of drugs, including caffeine and alcohol,
may experience headaches and nausea when using
chaparral as a blood purifier. It is not recommended
to use chaparral to withdraw from drugs without
professional guidance.
People who have kidney or liver
problems should consult a professional herbalist
before using chaparral. |
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