Natives of the North American desert, yucca plants range from low-growing, shrubby plants to the tall specimens known as Joshua trees. According to the “Journal of Inflammation,” roots of the Yucca schidigera, or the Mohave yucca, are often used medicinally. Yucca plants have sharp leaves and thick trunks, as well as a tube-like flower head clustered with dozens of white flowers, giving it the appearance of a candle. Medicinal extracts of the plant’s root, and sometimes flower stalks, are made into tablets.
Primary Use
Herbal medicine companies market yucca root primarily for joint pain relief. According to the “Journal of Inflammation,” the two main groups of ingredients in yucca are saponins and polyphenols. Saponins are detergent-like chemicals, which makes yucca root extract useful in natural soaps and shampoos. Saponins also carry anti-inflammatory properties, which can ease arthritis pain. Similarly, the polyphenol resveratrol may help reduce joint swelling for people with arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Yucca and Cancer
Polyphenols such as resveratrol are credited with anti-cancer properties. These antioxidants protect your body from free radicals, which harm cells and cause some forms of cancer. Yet while yucca root contains resveratrol, yucca tablets are not marketed as an anti-cancer property, nor do medical websites mention cancer in connection with yucca. While you may notice terms like antioxidants or resveratrol used in connection with yucca, as of date of publication the plant is not known to fight cancer-causing free radicals, at least not in the direct way plants such as grapes and red cabbage do.
Considerations
Along with its potential for treating joint pain, yucca root may work against cholesterol, blood pressure and intestinal bacteria, notes Drugs.com. But the website notes that yucca remains a little-studied herbal medicine, and gives it a designation of "little or no evidence of efficacy.” According to the NYU Langone Medical School, two to four tablets a day, depending on the amount in the tablets, is the usual recommendation. Yucca has a long history as a food and a beverage, and has shown few toxic reactions or side effects, although some people may experience diarrhea. On the other hand, yucca as a medicine has not been studied for its safety in children, pregnant and nursing women and in people with organ diseases.
Alternatives
Some natural treatments may support your primary cancer therapies, according to the American Cancer Society. Depending on the type of cancer, an herbal treatment may help strengthen your immune system, soothe side effects of medication or work more directly against the illness. Bromelain, a pineapple enzyme, helps relieve mouth swelling after radiation. Ginger may relieve nausea after chemotherapy. Green tea may help kill cancer cells, although more research is needed to determine how effective the natural remedy is in this capacity. Ask your doctor about herbs, vitamins or minerals that might be useful for your specific health issues.
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