Yucca

Yucca spp.

Yucca Uses How much to take Side effects and cautions Constituents

While approximately 40 species of the yucca grow naturally in the temperate regions of North America, there are a few varieties of the herb that also grow in the colder climates. Yucca belongs to the Agavaceae family and is extensively cultivated in the southern parts of North America. While the yucca plants may or may not have a straight central stem, the plant bears leaves that are stiff and normally shaped like swords. Many species of the yucca have common names and are more widely known by these names rather than their biological terms. For instance, Yucca aloifolia L. is better known as the Spanish-bayonet or dagger plant, while Y. brevifolia is more popular as Joshua tree. Similarly, Y. glauca is also known as the soapweed and Y. whipplei as Our Lord’s Candle.

It may be noted here that the different species of the yucca along with other agaves have rich saponin content. The saponins are bitter to taste and have an irritating property. This element is distinguished by its ability to form foam when mixed with water and shaken. This particular quality of the saponins resembles the soap. In fact the saponins present in the yucca are derived from steroids and have been extensively researched by the scientists to study their latent aptitude as preliminary materials for the amalgamation of cortisone (a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex) and related corticoids (a drug acting like adrenal gland hormone). Incidentally, the researchers found that the precise uniqueness and the quantity of the various saponins present in yucca varied according to the part of the plant that was examined and also the place where the herb grew.

USES

The soapy leaves of the yucca plant were used by the Native Americans to treat various conditions. They prepared poultices or baths with the yucca leaves to heal aching skin as well as other ailments. The poultice was said to be effective for curing sprains too. Herbal medicine practitioners of the past used the yucca leaves to treat all kinds of inflammations, especially joint inflammation and bleeding. It is also said that the Native Americans boiled the yucca leaves in water and used the cold solution to wash their hair with a view to get rid of dandruff and also fight hair loss.

Other medical uses
Colitis, Leaky gut syndrome, Myasthenia gravis, Tendinitis, Osteoarthritis.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

The yucca herb or its extracts like the saponins may be taken in different forms - capsules, tablets and tea - to treat various disorders. While many take two capsules or tablets daily to treat their disorders, several people suffering from relentless arthritis are required to take double the dose. In addition, a tea prepared by boiling one-fourth ounce of the yucca root in a pint of water approximately for 15 minutes is also helpful for various disorders. For effective action, three to five cups of the tea may be taken daily. However, if this dosage leads to loose motions, the quantity of the roots in the tea may be reduced.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

If taken in excessive dosages or more than what has been recommended by the physicians, the yucca may cause loose motions. During tube tests with the herb, it has been found that yucca and other saponins contained in it may often cause the red blood cells to rupture - a process called ‘hemolysis’. However, researchers are yet to ascertain the percentage of hemolysis when saponins are taken in the mouth. Nevertheless, yucca is permitted for use in some foods like the root beer, where it functions as a foaming agent. Since there have been no complaints of hemolysis from the root beer drinkers, the herbal supplements prepared with yucca may be considered to be safe for consumption. However, physicians never recommend the use of yucca at a stretch for over three months as it may hinder with the assimilation of fat-soluble vitamins in the body. Till the time of writing this piece, there is no familiar drug interfaces with the yucca.

CONSTITUENTS

Saponins present in the herb species are an important element of the yucca plant. The saponins function like soaps as they possess both water as well as fat soluble properties. According to an introductory experiment it was found that saponins present in yucca are beneficial for people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The authors of the study were of the opinion that the saponins present in yucca may obstruct the secretion of toxins from the intestines that slow down the normal development of cartilages or strong elastic tissues found in the body. However, this aspect of the saponins still remains to be verified in human pharmacological studies. Test tube studies of yucca have shown that one of the herb’s species possesses the properties to combat melanoma cells or malignant tumor growth of the skin. It is unfortunate that the clinical studies conducted with yucca have still not been able to provide any result useful for curing cancer in humans.