Yucca is a genus of about 40 plus species in the Agave
family (Agavaceae) which grow in warm and dry areas of Central America,
North America and the West Indies. When discussing the health benefits
of Yuca root, it is first important to distinguish between Yucca and
Yuca, two common names referring to very different plants.
Confusion between the names of the two plants are common, as Yucca is
well known in the US, especially in central and western states. Yucca
has been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of
arthritis and
rheumatism, as well as for the hair and scalp, and for its high content
of saponins.
Yuca root (also commonly known as manioc, cassava, or mandioca) has
the appearance of a long and tapered sweet potato. It has a rough brown
rind on the outside, with an inside that is starchy and can range in
color depending on variety from white to yellowish to brown. Yuca plant
is widely grown and consumed in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. In many
countries, yuca is a dietary staple usually eaten boiled, steamed, and
in flour form as thickeners or additional ingredients for noodles,
cakes, and pastries. Yuca is similar to a potato, but has much more of a
waxy and fibrous quality.
Yucca supplements are available in various forms including liquid,
powder, and capsules, especially from the species, Yucca schidigera.
Yuca supplements, on the other hand, are also available, but for
different purposes, such as a Buffered Vitamin C Powder made from the
root, or as a starch for fillers in dietary supplement capsules or use
in food products.
Human studies
I could not find any research papers regarding the medical uses of this
root as of May 2009.
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.
Learn about the health benefit of various
vegetable
products
and their practical interpretation.
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.
Q. A bought a yucca root powder that had an off-white
color while the powder from another source had a light brown color?
A. Yucca root powder is made from Yucca Filamentosa. The inner part
of the root has a white color while the outer part has a brown color. some
companies use the inner part of the yucca root which tends to have an off-white
color while others use the whole root (inner and outer parts). tthe inner part
of the root has a higher content of saponins.