Bulk Herbs & Spices:
Bulk Herbs & Spices (289)
Organic Bulk Herbs & Spices (75)
shop bestselling:
Rose Buds & Petals
Bulk Spice Blends:
Bulk Spice Blends (35)
DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice Set(NA)
Bulk Loose Leaf Tea:
Black Loose Leaf Tea (90)
Oolong Loose Leaf Tea (3)
Green Loose Leaf Tea (45)
White Loose Leaf Tea (6)
Herbals (114)
Q-Leaf Teas (0)
Tea Bags (46)
Bulk Loose Leaf Teas:
Jasmine Pearls
Genmai Cha
Herbal Chocolate Chai Tea
Bulk Oils:
Carrier Oils (18)
Sweet Almond Carrier Oil
Grapeseed Carrier Oil
Bulk Supplies:
Herbal Supplies (39)
Spice Racks (5)
shop bestsellers:
Muslin Herb Bags
Tea Strainer Mesh Tea Ball
Press 'n Brew DIY Tea Bags
Amber Bottle with Dropper
Bulk Herbs & Spices > Chaparral
Chaparral in bulk
shopping: two varieties
Chaparral Leaf Cut & Sifted
per 1/4 Pound
per Pound
Bulk Discounts: 5 or more = 10% OFF|25 or more = 15% OFF
Chaparral Leaf Wild Crafted Powder
Larrea tridentata
plant overview
estrogenic chaparral
Chaparral is an evergreen, low-growing, woody shrub found throughout southwestern North America, with specimens more than 11,000 years old still thriving in California's Mojave Desert. The plant's survival success is attributed to an ability to deter the growth of neighboring plants, thereby securing all of the available water from the soil. The herb contains an antioxidant compound called nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) that was once used as a food preservative. Reports of liver and kidney toxicity, however, now limit this herb to topical use.
Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.
habitat and range for chaparral
Larrea tridentata is a prominent species in the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts of western North America, and its range includes those and other regions in portions of south-eastern California, Arizona, Nevada, southern Utah, New Mexico and Texas in the United States, and northern Chihuahua and Sonora in Mexico.
A Bit of Botany
a little botanical information about chaparral
Chaparral is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 1 to 3 meters (3.3 to 9.8 ft) tall, rarely 4 meters (13 ft). The stems of the plant bear resinous, dark green leaves with two opposite lanceolate leaflets joined at the base, with a deciduous awn between them, each leaflet 7 to 18 millimeters (0.28 to 0.71 in) long and 4 to 8.5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.33 in) broad. The flowers are up to 25 millimeters (0.98 in) in diameter, with five yellow petals. Galls may form by the activity of the creosote gall midge. The whole plant exhibits a characteristic odor of creosote, from which the common name derives. Chaparral has a highly toxic substance produced at its root that prevents other plants from growing nearby, thus reducing the competition for vital nutrients and water.
common names & nomenclature
The botanical name is said to be for Juan Antonio Hernandez de Larrea, a Spanish clergyman. Chaparral is called gobernadora in Mexico, which is Spanish for "governess," due to its ability to secure more water by inhibiting the growth of nearby plants. Also has the odor of creosote, thus the common name creosote bush.
creosote bush, grease wood, gobernadora, chaparral, hediondilla
Cultivation & Harvesting
considerations for growing and harvesting chaparral
Chaparral or creosote bush is most commonly found on the well-drained soils of alluvial fans and flats; the plant prefers full sun to part shade.
Grows in desert soils but prefers a moderately fertile moisture-retentive soil, mature plants can tolerate drought, good for xeriscaping.
Sow the seeds outdoors in full sun after danger of last frost in Spring. Can also start seeds in a greenhouse, scarify the seed & soak in water for 24 hours then lightly cover the seed with soil. After germination, second set of true leaves emerges, transfer to larger container. This is a high desert plant so it tolerates drought and will not do well if overwatered.
Collect young stems, leaves and flowers in spring when resin is greatest. Harvesting chaparral is a difficult task due to the abrasive nature of the stems and the stickiness of the leaves.
Dry leaves and stems thoroughly, cut into smaller pieces and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
chaparral history, folklore, literature & more
relieving pain with chaparral
Chaparral stinks! Literally. And it tastes downright unpleasant. So the herb's major healing benefit comes as something of a surprise—it's a mouthwash.
We're not talking minty fresh here. You wouldn't want to reach for it before puckering up for your morning kiss. But don't let that stop you—the unassuming Chaparral shrub, native to the America Southwest, contains a chemical that may spell death to some of the germs that cause bad breath.
If, as some people believe, effective medicine smells foul and tastes terrible, Chaparral should be a terrific healer. Its leaves exude a waxy resin that smells like creosote and is the source of its popular names: stinkweed, greasewood/, and creosote bush (the plant does not contain creosote).
Chaparral is not a garden herb. It's a woody, olive green or yellow shrub that dominates the Southwest's arid landscape. Chaparral grows to about 10 feet and resembles a dwarf oak.
for educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
you should always consult with your doctor
before making any changes to your diet!!
HERBCO.com
SPICE COMPANY
Buy Bulk Herbs & Spices
HERBCO.com has been delivering premium bulk herb botanicals, spices, teas, seasonings and much more for twenty years.
Farm Fresh botanicals
Most of the botanicals at HERBCO.com are sourced directly from the farmers and growers — this allows us to provide you with premium products at competitive prices.
Bulk Discounts / Wholesale
HERBCO.com brings you its wholesale offerings with no minimums. Quantity discounts available (shown in cart).
Shop Bulk
Good Manufacturing Practices
Kosher Certification
© 2019 HERBCO.com Monterey Bay Spice Company 241 Walker Street,
Watsonville, CA 95076 All Rights Reserved
DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice Set (unavailable)
Co-Packing
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification
Proposition 65 (California)
to Monterey Bay Spice Company
we warmly invite you to join our mailing list
enjoy our newsletters and special offers