What Are The Benefits Of Yucca Leaf Extract?

Yucca, a genus of flowering plant, is comprised of 40 different species that are pollinated by a specific type of moth. Some yucca species, such as taro -- from which tapioca is made -- and cassava, are edible, while others are not edible. Yucca leaf extract has been used in traditional medicine for purported health benefits. Research has revealed information supporting its use, in some conditions. Consult your doctor before using yucca leaf extract.

Antioxidant Compounds

Yucca extract possesses several constituents with antioxidant activity, according to a study published in the August 2007 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." In the study, scientists isolated three new antioxidant compounds from Yucca gloriosa. The compounds, known as gloriosaols, exhibited potent antioxidant activity. The researchers concluded that their study indicates promising potential for the use of Yucca gloriosa as an antioxidant source for dietary and supplementation purposes.

Antifungal

Antifungal benefits obtained from Yucca gloriosa were reported in a study published in the February 2005 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy Research." Scientists tested the yucca extract, named alexin, against a variety of pathogenic fungi and yeasts. They found alexin had a broad spectrum of inhibitory effects against all tested yeasts except two and was effective against several samples of antifungal-resistant Candida. Yucca extract produced similar antifungal effects to the conventional antifungal agent used as a control, in the study.

Blood Clotting

Yucca may inhibit blood clotting, according to a study published in the February 2005 issue of the journal "Nutrition." The study investigated four phenolic antioxidant compounds in Yucca schidigera for their antiplatelet activity, including two that belong to the same family of compounds as resveratrol -- the antioxidant in red wine. Researchers found that the compounds decreased the tendency of the platelets to stick together and form clots and also inhibited secretion of substances from the platelets that promote clotting.

Anti-Inflammatory

The anti-inflammatory effects of yucca leaf extract were confirmed in a study published in the August 2004 issue of the journal "Life Sciences." In the tissue culture study, three forms of a yucca extract, known as yuccaol, significantly decreased production of nitric oxide -- a molecule that modulates blood pressure and inflammation -- in white blood cells exposed to E. coli bacteria. The researchers concluded that their results upheld the traditional use of yucca leaf extract as an anti-inflammatory.

Arthritis

Some types of arthritis may respond well to treatment with yucca extract, according to a study published in the October 2008 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." In the study, yucca extract inhibited pro-inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. The anti-inflammatory effects were primarily found in the resveratrol component of yucca extract, with weaker anti-inflammatory activity observed for yuccaol compounds. The researchers concluded that the results of their study support the use of yucca extract in the treatment of some symptoms of arthritis.