Yucca aloifolia
Botanical Nomenclature | Yucca aloifolia |
Common Name | Aloe Yucca, Dagger Plant, Spanish Bayonet |
Taxonomy- Family | Agavaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Yucca aloifolia is an evergreen plant growing up to 1,5m, with linear, lanceolate, oblong, shiny, green leaves and white flowers in tall inflorescences. It is a deeply-rooted plant with hard, rough bark and compact, fibrous stems. The breakable or unbreakable fruits are usually dried. The flowering and the harvesting take place from May to June, while the fruiting happens in September. |
Region Found | Epirus (cultivated, not wild species) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Flowers, seeds, fruits |
Active Substances | Saponins, steroids, glycosides (b-yuccaloeside, g-yuccaloeside), polyphenols, resveratrol, stilbenes (yuccaols A, B, C, D, E) |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has laxative and hypocholesterolemic properties. The herbal extract is recommended against arthritis, osteoarthritis (pain, swelling, stiffness), hypertension, high cholesterol and high triglycerides blood levels. Also, it helps for the treatment of migraines, digestive disorders, diabetes, as well it improves poor blood circulation. It is applied externally to the skin as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic, as well against arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and various skin problems. The plant is also used for the manufacture of ropes, baskets, carpets, sewing material, while the roots which are rich in saponins, are used as soaps. |
Method of Administration | The whole plant is administered as laxative and hypocholesterolemic in the form of herbal tea (a half spoon of dried herb in a cup of boiling water for 5-10min, 3 times a day), which is applied externally to the skin. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | The roots of the plant contain saponins, which are human toxic. However, they are poorly absorbed by digestive system, so they can not cause direct toxicity. |
References | 1)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Yucca+aloifolia 2)http://www.drugs.com/npc/yucca.html 3)http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-734-yucca.aspx?activeingredientid=734&activeingredientname=yucca 4)http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail61.php 5)http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/Yucca.html 6)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1440857/ |