Yucca --- also known as the Joshua tree, Adam's needle, bear grass, soap weed and dagger plant --- is a plant that was used by the Native Americans for a variety of practical and medicinal purposes. Modern alternative medicine practitioners claim that supplementing with yucca can help treat certain cardiovascular, neurological and joint conditions. However, medical professionals questions yucca's effectiveness; before using yucca in vitamins for any health problem, you should speak to your doctor and be aware of the considerations involved in yucca supplementation.
Aspects
Yucca is native to regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States. The root of the plant was used by the Native Americans to purify the blood, promote kidney and liver function, treat skin conditions and help heal wounds. According to the Mayo Clinic, yucca was believed to prevent the painful inflammation of joints by decreasing the intestinal populations of certain microorganisms.
Uses
Yucca contains compounds known as saponins that may block substances in the body that inhibit cartilage formation. Because of this property, yucca is used by many alternative medicine practitioners as a natural way to treat the swelling, stiffness and pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to treat digestive system problems such as colitis, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and migraine headaches.
Supplements and Dosage
Supplements of yucca typically contain a minimum of 500 mg of dried, powdered yucca root per tablet or capsule. Although there isn't enough scientific research about yucca to determine appropriate dosage levels for different people of differing ages and physical condition, most manufacturers of yucca supplements advise taking one to two capsules twice daily.
Side Effects
Yucca use may cause some mild side effects including a bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Viable Herbal Solutions reports that using yucca supplements regularly for longer than three months has been linked to deficiencies in the vitamins A, D, E and K since compounds contained in yucca appear to inhibit the absorption of these nutrients. Pregnant and nursing women are advised to avoid using yucca although there is no scientific evidence to indicate that the supplements can cause harm to the fetus or the mother.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic reports there is no reliable scientific evidence to back up the claims that alternative and complementary medicine proponents have made about the usefulness of yucca supplementation, particularly in the treatment of arthritis. In addition, dietary supplements containing yucca are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration for the purity, effectiveness or safety of the ingredients. Yucca supplements may prevent the proper functioning of certain medications, such as high blood pressure drugs, warfarin and diuretics; always speak to your doctor before attempting to treat any medical condition with yucca.
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