Yucca Root

Species Name: Yucca schidigera

Also Known As: Mojave Yucca, Yucca glauca (Eastern) Yucca brevifolia (Western), Soap-tree, Soapweed, Soapwell, Soap Root, Adam's Needle, Bear Grass, Dagger Plant, Our-Lord's-Candle, and Spanish Bayonet.

This Yucca Plant is indigenous to the Mojave and Sonoran Desert of Southeastern California, Baja California, Southern Nevada and Western Arizona.

The Yucca Schidigera is the species used for most medicinal purposes. The plant is commonly called the Mojave Yucca, it is an evergreen flowering succulent plant that grows to a height of about sixteen feet.

Yucca leaves contain a high level of saponins, a soapy compound historically used to make soap and shampoo. It is also used as a foaming agent in some beverages and food, particularly in root beer.

Native Americans and early settlers used Yucca schidigera as a food.

What is Yucca Root? Yucca root supplements come from the Yucca Schidigera plant. The extract is typically found in capsules, tincture and liquid form for either internal or external applications.

Home Remedies Using Yucca Root:

Benefits of Yucca Root:

Yucca Root was used by Native Americans as a stimulating tonic. As a poultice, yucca root was used on skin diseases, inflammations, sores, and to stop bleeding.

The root was pounded and put in water in order to stupefy corralled fish so they would float to the surface for easy harvest.

Yucca root contains steroid saponins, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus, vitamins A, C, and B-complex. It is an effective anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, laxative, and alternative.

Yucca Root is used today in the treatment of:

  • Gout
  • Urethritis
  • Prostatitis
  • As a Blood, Liver, and Digestive Purifier
  • Joint Inflamation
  • Arthritis
  • Neuritis
  • Neuralgia
  • Rheumatism
  • Digestion
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Body Odor
  • Stress
  • Skin Problems
  • Aids Digestion
  • Liver, blood and digestive system detoxifier

Topically Yucca Root is used to make soap, is an emollient, and its cleansing properties are used in shampoo and other hair care products.

Research done on yucca root includes, "One preliminary trial reportedly found benefit for patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The authors of the study speculate that yucca saponins may block release of toxins from the intestines that inhibit normal formation of cartilage. This has yet to be proven in human pharmacological studies. An extract of one species of yucca has been found to fight melanoma cells in test tube studies. Clinical trials are lacking to prove whether yucca may be useful for treating cancer in humans."

Side Effects of Yucca Root:

Yucca Root is generally accepted as safe based on its long history of use as a food. Side effects may include loose stools or diarrhea if Yucca Root is taken in higher than recommended amounts.

Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

Because Yucca Root may contain estrogen-like results, it should not be used by women with breast cancer. Utilizing this extract consecutively for more than three months is not recommended as it may interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.