What is Chaparral and Why do we put it in our sunscreen?
This potent, smelly brush of the desert southwest is an unlikely suspect, but we have been impressed with it’s healing effects for awhile now.
Let me introduce you to chaparral,
Chaparral has had many medicinal uses throughout history.
The American Indians used chaparral for arthritis, bowel cramps, gas, colds, and chronic skin disorders.
In the 1940s it was used by the American army as a preservative in drugs because of it’s antioxidant properties.
Chaparral has also been used in cancer treatments, and for digestive problems, respiratory problems, including colds and infections, arthritis, rheumatism, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections, chicken pox, parasites, obesity, and as a blood purifier and weight loss treatment.
The impressive thing to us is it’s remarkable healing of the skin. It is used effectively for many skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis and on burns and scars. It is high in antioxidants which may help prevent and repair damage to the skin. It has also been used as an antiseptic dressing for cuts and wounds.
I was introduced to chaparral as a teenager by my mom for breakouts on my face. We (my siblings and I) were given it internally in capsule form, never topically. The reasoning being that cleansing the blood leads to clear skin. It helped.
But several years ago my sister gathered some in the California desert while visiting there and gave it to me. Stinky stuff she knew I would love.
I had been hearing about the successful use of chaparral for skin cancer and other skin issues. At the time I had a rash below one eye that wouldn’t go away no matter what I tried.
So I infused some of the Chaparral into oil and waited impatiently for the required 6 weeks steep time.
I don’t know if it was that, but the rash went soon after and hasn’t come back.
Precaution: Over usage of this herb internally can be detrimental to the liver. Use caution if taking internally. Topically it is entirely safe but, as always, if irritation occurs, discontinue.
Note: The oil used in our Sun Beater sunscreen has been infused with 10 herbs that are beneficial in healing the skin, including chaparral. Learn more Here