Yucca is a genus of about 40 or so species in the Agave family which grow in dry areas of Central America and North America. Yucca has been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism. Yucca root (also known as manioc or cassava), is a white, starchy tropical vegetable. In addition to the Americas, yucca plant is widely grown and consumed in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. In many countries, yucca is a dietary staple usually eaten boiled, steamed, and in flour form as thickeners or additional ingredients for noodles, cakes, and pastries. Yucca is similar to a potato, but has much more of a waxy and fibrous quality.
   Yucca supplements are available in various forms including yucca schidigera liquid, powder, and capsules. The root or the stalk are used. You can find dry root extract concentrate.

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Benefit of Yucca Plant
There's very little medical research done with the yucca plant. Since yucca has a lot of fiber, it could potentially be helpful in reducing cholesterol levels. Yucca root has phytosterols. Some in vitro studies indicate yucca extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities.

Yucca Recipe
Yucca root can be boiled and then flavored with herbs and olive oil for a delicious yucca root recipe and a high fiber treat. Yucca root is sold in many grocery stores but it is not very popular. I have a yucca recipe which involves mixing olive oil with zaatar, and then adding that to boiled yucca root. I do remove the skin from the yucca root before adding the mixture. You can also boil yucca root and then cut it in small pieces and add it to soups.

Yucca Flower
Alexin is an antifungal steroidal glycoside extract from Yucca gloriosa flowers.

Yucca species
Yucca aloifolia
Yucca brevifolia, Joshua tree
Yucca elephantipes
Yucca filifera, also known as St. Peter's Palm
Yucca filamentosa
Yucca gloriosa flowers have a steroidal glycoside compound called alexin which has antifungal activity.
Yucca schidigera is a medicinal plant native to Mexico. Yucca plant is a source of steroidal saponins, and is used commercially as a saponin source. Yucca is also a source of polyphenolics, including resveratrol and a number of other stilbenes (yuccaols A, B, C, D and E).
   Yucca schidigera ihas a very high level of saponins and phenolic compounds with antioxidant action. The products of Yucca schidigera are used as food additives, cosmetics and in the pharmaceutical industry. The bark from this yucca species has phenolic compounds called trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene ( trans-resveratrol ), trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene, and yuccaols A and C that have antiplatelet activity.
Yucca valida

Yucca schidigera review
Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Yucca schidigera: a review.
J Inflamm (Lond). 2006 March. Cheeke PR, Piacente S, Oleszek W. Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA.
Yucca schidigera is a medicinal plant native to Mexico. According to folk medicine, yucca extracts have anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects. This yucca plant contains several physiologically active phytochemicals. It is a rich source of steroidal saponins, and is used commercially as a saponin source. Saponins have diverse biological effects, including anti-protozoal activity. It has been postulated that saponins may have anti-arthritic properties by suppressing intestinal protozoa which may have a role in joint inflammation. Yucca is also a rich source of polyphenolics, including resveratrol and a number of other stilbenes (yuccaols A, B, C, D and E). These phenolics have anti-inflammatory activity. They are inhibitors of the nuclear transcription factor NFkappaB. NFkB stimulates synthesis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which causes formation of the inflammatory agent nitric oxide. Yucca phenolics are also anti-oxidants and free-radical scavengers, which may aid in suppressing reactive oxygen species that stimulate inflammatory responses.

Yucca drink
There is an alcoholic drink called Yucca that is made of lemons, limes, sugar, vodka, and ice.

Yucca questions and emails
Q. Is a yucca supplement available?
   A. Yes. Yucca supplements are sold as a yucca root capsule or yucca liquid extract.

Q. I was wondering if you had done any feedback on yucca root supplement benefit. I understand that it is an herbal pain medication.
   A. Not as of 2008.

Q. I like Yucca, Boniata , Jicama, and Malanga. Could you tell me about glycemic load in each of those product comparing to regular potato.
   A. I am not aware of such studies.

Q. I'm a doctor. I live in Hungary. I deal with the desert herb, Yucca schidigera active agents effects on the human organism since 12 years. Could You please help me to find the answer on my following questions. Have you any documents about Yucca saponins positíve effects?.Have you any documents about Yucca saponins side effects? 3. How much resveratrol is in 1 gram Yucca schidigera pulver? Have Yucca saponi effects estrogen effect?
   A. I have not seen human studies with yucca schidigera to know the answers to these interesting questions.