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YUCCA (Yucca spp) ++Synonym: Yucca elata Engelm.
Activities (Yucca) — Antibacterial (1; PED); Antiinflammatory (1; CAN); Antimelanomic (1;
CAN; SKY); Antitumor (1; CAN; PED); Astringent (1; PED); Bitter (1; PED); Depurative (f; PED);
Fungicide (1; PED); Hemolytic (1; CAN); starter material for steroids.
Indications (Yucca) — Arthrosis (1; CAN; SKY); Bacteria (1; PED); Cancer (1; CAN; PED);
Cancer, skin (f; PED); Cholecystosis (f; PHR); Diabetes (f; CAN); Dysmenorrhea (1; FNF);
Enterosis (1; CAN); Fungus (1; PED); Gastrosis (1; CAN); Headache (1; CAN); Hepatosis (f;
PHR); High Blood Pressure (1; CAN); High Cholesterol (1; CAN); High Triglycerides (1; CAN);
Infection (1; PED); Inflammation (1; CAN); Melanoma (1; CAN; SKY); Menopause (1; FNF);
Mycosis (1; PED); Osteoarthrosis (f; SKY); Pain (1; CAN); PMS (1; FNF); Rheumatism (1; PED;
SKY); Swelling (1; CAN); Tumor (1; CAN; PED).
Dosages (Yucca) — 0.25–0.5 cup fresh root (PED); 6–12 g dry root (PED); 9 g dry root:45 ml
alcohol/45 ml water (PED); 0.25 oz root/pint water 3–5 ×/day (SKY); 3 (490 mg) capsules 3 ×/day
(JAD).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Yucca) — Class 1 (for 4 spp. of Yucca) (AHP).
Though large doses of saponins can be hemolytic and problematic, “little is known about the toxicity
of yucca saponins” (LRNP, March 1994). Overdoses may cause loose stools (SKY).
Extracts (Yucca) — “Concentrated plant juice has been used topically to soothe painful joints”
(CAN). Saponin-containing extracts are antiedemic, antiinflammatory, and hemolytic; clinically,
reported to help reduce symptoms of pain, stiffness, and swelling in 50% of 150 patients with
arthritis. Onset of relief took days to months. Saponin-containing extracts clinically reduced blood
pressure, abnormal triglycerides, and high cholesterol (as always, best with diet and exercise).
Extracts also reported to improve circulation and GI function, and to relieve headache. “Yucca
saponins are regarded to be a safe supplement since they are not thought to be absorbed from the
gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing the dangers of systemic hemolytic activity... No known
problems with the use of yucca during pregnancy and lactation” (CAN). Polysaccharide-containing
extract of Y. glauca has antimelanomic activity.