Chaparral-induced hepatic injury.

Abstract

Two patients with hepatic injury after ingestion of chaparral leaf are presented. The first patient, a 71-yr-old man, developed biopsy-proven hepatitis 3 months after ingesting chaparral leaf daily. His illness resolved with discontinuation of the herb and later recurred with rechallenge. The second patient is a 42-yr-old woman who developed hepatitis 2 months after chaparral leaf ingestion and recovered completely after discontinuation of the compound. Both patients have remained well with abstinence from chaparral. These reports provide evidence of the hepatotoxicity of this herb and stress the need for awareness of the potential harm from such nonprescription remedies.