Guest guest Posted February 4, 2001 Report Share Posted February 4, 2001 http://www.mothernature.com/ency/Herb/Yucca.asp Yucca (Yucca schidigera and other species) Photo copyright Steven Foster Part used and where grown: The stalk and root are used. This desert tree grows primarily in the southwestern United States and is related to the Joshua tree. In what conditions might yucca be supportive? • osteoarthritis • rheumatoid arthritis Historical or traditional use: Native Americans used the soapy leaves from yucca for numerous conditions. Poultices or baths were used for skin sores and other diseases as well as for sprains. Inflammation of all sorts, including joint inflammations, and bleeding were also treated with yucca. Some report that the Native Americans washed their hair with yucca to fight dandruff and hair loss. Active constituents: The saponins from yucca are the main medicinal agents in the plant. They have both a water-soluble and fat-soluble end and therefore act like soap. The authors of the study looking at patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis speculate that yucca saponins block release of toxins from the intestines which inhibit normal formation of cartilage.1 An extract of one species of yucca has been found to fight melanoma cells in test tube studies.2 How much should I take? Many people take two capsules or tablets of yucca saponins per day. Up to twice this dose has been used in some cases, and may be required for more severe arthritis. Alternately, one quarter ounce of the root can be boiled in a pint of water for 15 minutes. Drink three to five cups per day. If this causes loose stools, decrease the amount of root in the tea. Are there any side effects or interactions? Yucca and other saponins can cause red blood cells to burst (known as “hemolysis”) in test tubes. The level to which this occurs when the saponins are taken by mouth is unknown. However, yucca is approved for use in foods as a foaming agent (particularly in root beer). Since there have been no reports of problems with hemolysis in root beer drinkers, we can assume that yucca herbal supplements are generally safe. --------- .. alternate names: Spanish bayonet, beargrass and soapweed --------------- http://www.geocities.com/nutriflip/Naturopathy/Yucca.html Yucca schidigera Other Common Names: Mojave Yucca, Spanish Dagger, Yucca aloifolia, Yucca schidigera Range: Southwestern N. America - California, Arizona and Nevada. Habitat: Rocky desert slopes and Creosote desert flats below 7,000 feet. About 30 species in the genus Yucca are found in North America, which includes the Joshua Tree. Native Americans and Mexicans have used it for centuries to treat a wide variety of maladies, especially headaches, gonorrhea, arthritis and rheumatism. Indians used the yucca plant for many products. The strong fibers from the plant made cord, cloth, baskets and sandals. Raw flowers were eaten in salads, or boiled as vegetables. The immature pods were roasted and peeled before eating. Dried pods and seeds were ground into flour. The roots form a frothy soap that was both a cleansing agent and a skin cream used for treating rashes. The properties of Yucca which help in arthritis and rheumatism are due to the plants' high content of steroid saponins, which are precursors to cortisone. Diuretics and emetics are commonly made from both the root and leaves of the Yucca. Ground blossoms mixed with yucca suds and used to wash newborn infants and make their hair grow. There is said to be no better tonic or stimulant for the hair than a free application of a solution of this juice in alcohol, water, or glycerine. Besides the Saponin, it contains a large number of raphides, which probably add mechanically to the stimulation. The rotten root can be crushed and boiled to make suds. Drinking these suds is said to induce the menopause in women, thereby rendering then infertile. Flowers boiled and eaten as a vegetable. The fruits are highly palatable to a number of small birds and mammals. Known Hazards: The roots contain saponins. Whilst saponins are quite toxic to people, they are poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass straight through. They are also destroyed by prolonged heat, such as slow baking in an oven. Saponins are found in many common foods such as beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish. ---------- http://library.thinkquest.org/12641/basketmaker/yucca.html The yucca has many uses to native people of the Southwest.Fiber from the narrow-leafed yucca is used for sewing or for ceremonial purposes such as by the Navajos in making hoops, prayer sticks and chant arrows. The juice from the plant is also used to make paint for ceremonial pipes.Yucca also has a medicinal use. The roots are soaked in water and the liquid is given to a woman having a long, hard childbirth. Yucca is used to wash wool and as an ingredient in several dyes.An arrow poisons is made with yucca juice mixed with charcoal from a pinyon or juniper tree that has been struck by lightning.The fruit from the yucca can be roasted, eaten raw or sliced and dried for the winter. The crushed fruit can be used to make cheese using goat's milk. The flower buds are also edible if they are roasted. The leaves can be boiled with salt and eaten.Probably the most well-known use of the yucca is for making shampoo. The shampoo is made from the root by first cracking off the bark to expose the white, fibrous root. In a bowl, the water is splashed over the cleaned root producing a thick white lather. The root is rubbed like a bar of soap and continues to produce more lather. The sudsy water is worked into the hair, then rinsed clean. The Navajo people say yucca makes hair shiny and grow longer. A yucca shampoo is also used for ceremonial purposes such as in a bath of yucca suds for patients as well as the healer in ceremonies. --------- http://www.nutritionfocus.com/nutrition_supplementation/herbs/Yucca.html SYNONYMS Aloe Yucca, Amole, Dagger Plant, Joshua Tree, Mohave Yucca, Our Lord's Candle, Soapweed, Spanish Bayonet FAMILY Liliaceae or Agavaceae GENUS SPECIES Mohave Yucca: Yucca baccata, Yucca schidigera (syn. Yucca mohavensis), Joshua Tree: Yucca brevifolia (syn. Yucca arborescens), Yucca aloifolia (Aloe Yucca, Spanish Bayonet, Dagger Plant), Yucca glauca (Soapweed), Yucca whipplei (Our Lord's Candle) TYPE Tree PART USED Root LOCATION Mojave Desert, southwestern U.S. ACTIONS Antihypercholesterolemic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, astringent, blood purifier, emetic, increases the population of beneficial intestinal bacteria (acidophilus and bifidophilus) and eliminating undesirable and pathogenic bacterial population INDICATIONS Arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, gonorrhea, gout, hair problems, headache, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, liver congestion, poor circulation, prostatitis, rheumatism, scalp problems, skin disorders, urethritis, vaginal yeast infections CHEMICALS & NUTRIENTS Calcium, Fats (2%), Fiber (11%), Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Protein (9%), Sodium, Vitamin C PREPARATION & DOSAGES Root: 2-3 g 3x/dayExtract: 1 part root, 7 parts water, 3 parts alcohol; 20-30 ml 3x/dayCONTRAINDICATIONS Atopy or allergies. DRUG INTERACTIONS Due to the antihypertensive (hypotensive) action of this herb the following interactions are possible: when taken with anesthetics an increased hypotensive effect; potentiation of antihypertensives; when taken with diuretics difficulty with diuresis and hypertension may result; antagonism of sympathomimetics. SAFETY Safe when used appropriately. y: Safe when used appropriately. h antiarrhythmics and potentiation of muscle relaxants; antagonizes antidiabetic (hypoglycemic) drugs; may potentiate and/or interfere with antihypertensives; may potentiate lithium therapy; when taken with corticosteroids there is a risk for hypokalemia; may potentiate other diuretics and increase the risk of hypokalemia. SIDE EFFECTS (Possible adverse effects and/or overdose effects) Overuse may cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. Prolonged use may cause intestinal atrophy, hypokalemia, kidney damage (hematuria, oligouria, swollen hands and feet). Irritates the skin and causes skin eruptions. WARNING Rumex spp. contain water soluble oxalates that are toxic when consumed in large quantities. In sufficient quantities, potassium or sodium oxalate (soluble forms) can cause the precipitation of calcium into calcium oxalate (insoluble form) in the blood causing hypocalcemia and acute kidney failure due to calcium oxalate crystals in the renal tubules. Tannins are incompatible with alkalies, gelatin, heavy metals, iron, lime water, metallic salts, strong oxidizing agents and zinc sulfate. Tannins precipitate proteins. Tannins may cause bowel irritation, kidney irritation, liver damage, irritation of the stomach and gastrointestinal pain. Long-term and/or excessive use of herbs containing high concentrations of tannins is not recommended. A correlation has been made between esophogeal or nasal cancer in humans and regular consumption of certain herbs with high tannin concentrations (Lewis, W.H. and M.P.F. Elvin-Lewis. 1977. Medical Botany. Plants Affecting Man's Health. New York: John Wiley & Sons.) REFERENCES 1. Hoffman D. The Herbal Handbook: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1988, 40. ----------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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