Yucca: use, medicinal properties and contraindications

Yucca - it is an evergreen tree belonging to the asparagus family. The stem of a plant is treelike, branched in some species. The leaves are pointed yucca, twisted at the edges. The flowers of the plant are large, white or cream-colored, grouped into a panicle. The fruit has the form of a box or fleshy berries.

There are about 20 species of yucca. The plant is common in the south of the USA, in Central America, Mexico. And some species have taken root in the south of Europe and are grown under the open sky. It can be eaten, edible yucca. It is a valuable food product, it is not demanding for growing conditions and gives a good harvest.

From yucca roots you can get flour, they are consumed in baked and boiled form. Heat treatment should be sufficient, it is important.

Yucca has beneficial properties for the human body. It has antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effects. Yucca contains antioxidants, enzymes, chlorophyll and many other beneficial substances.

Chemical composition and medicinal properties of yucca

The chemical composition of yucca following:

• steroid saponins - have antifungal properties, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, anti-edema effect, reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood;
• enzymes - are involved in the metabolism;
• antioxidants - take part in the metabolism, neutralize harmful substances in the body;
• mucus - have an enveloping effect, a penetrating effect, they are used in gastritis, ulcers, and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• anthraquinones - have anti-inflammatory, astringent and laxative effects on the body;
• zinc - is involved in the synthesis of proteins, enzymes, fats, increases the absorption of vitamin E in the body, regulates blood sugar levels, strengthens the bone tissue of teeth, supports skin health;

• selenium - has antioxidant properties, improves the absorption of vitamins E, C, protects nucleic acids from damage, is useful for muscles and blood vessels. Improves immunity, helps in the fight against viruses, in conjunction with iodine ensures the normal functioning of the thyroid gland;
• Vitamin A - is involved in the synthesis of enzymes, sex hormones, rhospin in the retina;
• Vitamin C - improves immunity, is involved in the synthesis of collagen, cartilage and has antioxidant properties.

A large number of sapogenins and aglycones are found in yucca leaves. In addition, they found steroid saponin in the amount of 1-2%, it is the stereoisomer of sarsapogenin.

Yucca extract contains zinc and selenium, steroid sapogenins, carbohydrates.

Plant root has many saponins, which stimulates the production of cortisone in the body and is responsible for the anti-inflammatory qualities of the plant. Also in the root contains folic acid, vitamin E, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin K, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper.

How to procure and store medical raw materials from yucca

Yucca flower It has healing properties, so its different parts are harvested to be used as a raw material for medicines later.

Yucca Leaves have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. They must be harvested before and during the flowering of the plant. Cut the leaves laid out a thin layer on the surface, leaving to dry in the sun. Keep them in a well-ventilated area.

On an industrial scale, yucca harvesting is mechanized. The collected leaves are dried on the currents, stored in well-ventilated areas up to 5 years.

Yucca root It has many useful substances, so it is also harvested. Use for the preparation of drugs need root adult plants. When digging up the roots, it is necessary to remember that they go down to the ground by 50-70 cm. It is necessary to undermine them as deep as possible so that the root system of the yucca is not damaged.

Yucca blooms in the 3rd year of its life. This occurs between the end of June and August. At this time, you can collect the flowers of the plant for preparation of raw materials for drugs. Dried yucca flowers stored in a ventilated area.

The use of yucca in traditional medicine for diseases

The range of effects of yucca on the body is very wide. This plant is used to treat a large number of diseases: arthritis, gout, polyps in the intestines, prostatitis, flatulence, low blood pressure, etc.

In folk medicine, yucca is used to combat problems such as dry itchy skin, eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, lichen planus. In viral rashes, the juice of yucca leaves is effective.

Inflammatory processes

Yucca is useful in inflammatory processes such as arthritis, arthrosis, gout, bursitis.To do this, use the following recipe:

• shredded yucca roots - 1 tablespoon;
• water - 500 ml.

Chopped roots pour water and boil for 15 minutes. The broth must be insisted for an hour, after which drink half a cup 3 times a day.

Eczema and psoriasis

For the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and neurodermatitis, yucca must be taken according to the following recipes:

• fresh leaves of yucca-50 grams;
• water - 3-4 liters.

Leaves pour water and bring to a boil. After cooling, the decoction is used in the form of lotions to the affected skin..

• Fresh leaves of yucca - 10 grams;
• Baked bacon - 100 grams.

Mix the lard with the leaves, heat the mixture in a water bath for 5-6 hours. Filter through cheesecloth and pour into a jar. After cooling, the ointment is applied to the affected skin.

Gastrointestinal tract

Yucca with peptic ulcer has a good effect on the body. For treatment apply leaves of the plant - 10 grams of water is poured over them - 500 ml. The mixture is brought to a boil. This broth should be drunk 3 times a day.

Thus, you can cure peptic ulcer, gastritis, Crohn's disease, intestinal inflammation.

Diabetes

With the help of yucca is the treatment of diabetes. Drugs that contain extracts of this plant are sold in a pharmacy.You can also cook a decoction of yucca at home.

For broth yucca with diabetes will need plant root and stem. You can also use flowers, as they contain zinc.

Raw materials in the amount of 50 grams are poured with 3-4 liters of water, boiled and allowed to cool the broth, and then taken orally.

Prostatitis

To get rid of prostatitis with yucca, you need to cook mixturein which:

• shredded yucca roots;
• burdock;
• Aralia Manchu;
• hydrangea.

Take 2 tablespoons of the mixture, pour them with water in the amount of 500 ml, bring to a boil, boil for 15 minutes. Broth required to insist 1-1.5 hours and drink 3 times a day for half a glass. The treatment lasts a month.

The use of yucca in cosmetology

Yucca extract extract, which has a healing, bactericidal action. Flower plant extract is rich in zinc, selenium, sapogenins, so it is added as an ingredient in some cosmetics for skin and hair care.

How to use yucca in industry

Yucca is used in the US light industry. Filamentous yucca is grown as a technical plant for the production of strong fibers. These fibers are added to cotton in the production of denim. Thanks to yucca fibers, jeans become more wear resistant.

Also, the fibers of this plant are used in the manufacture of ropes for ropes, brushes, fishing gear, burlap and in the manufacture of paper.

Yucca leaves contain steroid sapogenins, due to which the plant is used in the manufacture of hormonal corticosteroid drugs.

There are diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, and yucca due to the pronounced anti-inflammatory effect is used as a raw material in the latest preparations for the treatment of joints.

Also included in the composition of drugs for the treatment of skin diseases - fungi, juvenile acne and other lesions.

Thus, yucca is used in industrial medicine.

Another industrial application of the plant - natural red dye is extracted from the root.

Contraindications

Yucca contains substances that break down into simple compounds that can be harmful to humans. One of these compounds is hydrocyanic acid, which, with long-term consumption of yucca in food, can lead to myelopathy, parasthesia.

A single use of yucca root in the amount of 400 grams gives a lethal dose of hydrocyanic acid for humans.

Possible side effect of yucca when it is taken and applied:

• nausea;
• vomiting;
• stomach upset;
• diarrhea.

Therefore, it is necessary to comply with the recommended dosage when using drugs from yucca.

It is contraindicated to take yucca during pregnancy, lactation, in childhood.

Yucca - unpretentious, medicinal and ornamental plant. It can be grown for various purposes and use all the good qualities. But the use of yucca requires moderation so as not to harm health.