Yucca Root

Not just a pretty plant with a ‘yucky’ name, Yucca Root offers a number of health-related benefits.

Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, Yucca and more specifically, Yucca Root has been used for centuries for its traditional medicinal properties.

What is Yucca Root?

Yucca Root, also known as Brazilian arrowroot, is a shrub that grows naturally in South America.

It is cultivated in tropical regions, used in food and is considered one of the best sources of carbohydrates in hot climates.¹

In modern times, Yucca Root has become a popular garden plant due to it’s decorative appearance.

The root of the Yucca is widely used in traditional medicine because it contains many useful micronutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and sodium. In addition, Vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants, are also present in Yucca Root.

What are the Health Benefits of Yucca Root?

Digestion Regulation

Yucca Root is rich in dietary fibre, which stimulates bowel motility and eradicates such problematic constipation or diarrhea. Dietary fibre also reduces bloating, cramps and other gastrointestinal symptoms.²Yucca Root may help control body weight, as dietary fibre makes you feel full and therefore restricts or reduces calorie intake.³

Diabetes Control

Yucca Root, added to the diet, helps regulate insulin and blood sugar levels. Some studies have found that Yucca Root prevents the surges in glucose levels and may help prevent diabetes.⁴ However, ingesting Yucca Root has a mild glucose-lowering effect, making it better for diabetes prevention than treatment. Those living with diabetes can also take Yucca Root or supplements containing its extracts, but it is only suggested as an addition, not as a replacement for conventional therapy.⁴

Heart Health

Yucca Root contains saponins that can cleanse the blood, flushing out toxins and harmful substances, and positively affects wellbeing and overall health. Yucca Root helps maintain heart health, as high dietary fibre in the root, helps lower cholesterol.⁵It means that it can also help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and balance fatty acid levels in the body. Some studies found that the use of Yucca Root, can also help to control blood pressure too.⁵

Immunity Boosting

Yucca Root is a rich source of Vitamin C and can boost the immune system. Vitamin C is known for stimulating the production and activity of white blood cells, which fight infections and viruses.⁶ Vitamin C is responsible for the production of collagen that maintains blood vessels, cells, tissues and muscles. Collagen helps us recover from injuries and assists with faster wound healing.⁷

Skincare

Yucca Root has photoprotective properties, meaning it may protect against the sun better than some commercial SPFs.⁸ Yucca Root extract may be added to some beauty products like lotions, soaps, tonics and shampoos as it helps with many skin problems including dandruff and skin infections.⁷The herb extract strengthens skin and prevents its ageing due to Vitamin C and collagen.⁷

Improved Cognitive Function

Yucca Root is rich in potassium and folate that stimulates blood flow to the brain and increases human cognitive abilities. It also contributes to fighting against cognitive disorders, promoting sharp thinking abilities despite old age, and increases blood flow to treat headaches.

Magnesium contained in Yucca Root, also helps relieve stress.⁹

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants in Yucca Root protect the body from free radicals, preventing cell mutation and damage. Some studies found the antioxidants, in Yucca Root may help fight Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, heart failure and some inflammatory conditions.⁶

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Yucca Root has been used for many years to treat arthritis and joint pain. Most of the clinical trials have shown a beneficial effect on joint pain and inflammation. Recent research found that taking Yucca Root prevents Arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.⁶

Is Yucca Root Safe?

Yucca Root supplements may sometimes cause unwanted side effects, including vomiting, bitter taste and nausea. It’s important to understand Yucca Root, if used in it’s raw form, must be cooked, rather than eaten raw as the peel contains cyanide.

It is not recommended that children and pregnant women take products containing Yucca Root.

It’s important to ask your doctor or health practitioner about Yucca Root usage and their potential interaction with other medications.

The health benefits of Yucca Root make it an attractive herb to alleviate many symptoms and ailments. With the right usage and advice, Yucca Root may fight off some future illnesses and degeneration and/or relieve current conditions.

Properties

Anti-Inflammatory⁶
Anti-Stress⁹
Antioxidant⁶
Antiviral⁶
Arthritis⁶
Brain Function / Neuroprotective⁹
Cholesterol⁵^,⁶
Concentration⁶
Diabetes / Blood Sugar⁴
Diarrhea²
Digestive Function³
Digestive Restoration²^,³
Hair Growth and Support⁷^,⁸
Headaches⁹
Heart Support / Health⁵
High/Good Levels of Calcium¹
High/Good Levels of Carbohydrates¹
High/Good Levels of Copper¹
High/Good Levels of Fibre¹
High/Good Levels of Folate¹^,⁹
High/Good Levels of Iron¹
High/Good Levels of Magnesium⁹
High/Good Levels of Phosphorous¹
High/Good Levels of Potassium¹^,⁹
High/Good Levels of Vitamin A¹
High/Good Levels of Vitamin C¹^,⁷
High/Good Levels of Zinc¹
Immune Booster⁶
Liver Health³
Pain Relief⁶
Prebiotic²^,³
Skin Issues⁷^,⁸
Weight Loss / Management³
Wound Healing⁷

References