Yucca, Powdered
(also referred to as...)
Joshua Tree, Soap Tree, Spanish Bayonet
Latin Name: Yucca spp.
Family: Liliaceae
Description
This dry-climate plant has long been used by the natives of the southwest deserts. The flowers, as well as the pulp of the fruit, are edible and the whole plant is very medicinal. While the Navajo Indians used yucca as soap, others took the juice of the spiky leaves and poisoned the tips of their arrows with it.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Yucca was the source of natural soap used by Navajo Indians for washing their hair and for bathing. They would also combine it with iodine to restore sight in blind animals. Yucca contains steroidal saponins similar to the mexican wild yam used to produce progesterone hormones. This natural source of progesterone is used in gynecology for bleeding of the womb and in menstrual disorders. The saponins also help resolve the clumping of blood cells and have a tendency to stimulate the flow of bile which, in turn, has a tonic effect on the liver and digestion.
Yucca is an excellent anti-inflammatory (due to the saponins) and is used for arthritis, rheumatism, and for urethral and prostatic inflammation. The plant has good blood purifying properties and is handy in skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, boils, and abscesses. Yucca has quite a reputation in its ability to shrink tumours and a water extract has been shown to have anti-cancer properties against B1 melanoma in mice.
The plant is used mainly for hormonal imbalances, inflammations, varicose veins, skin conditions, ulcers, and to cleanse the gallbladder.
Source
Root
Preparations
Decoction: 3 cups water and 3 teaspoons root are brought to a boil and simmered for 10 minutes. This final mix should be separated into 3 doses for the day.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
There is some question to whether long term use of this plant can slow down the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Ailment / Situation Listing
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