Health Benefits of Yucca | Fusion - WeRIndia

Yucca or Yucca filamentosa belongs to the family Asparagaceae. This shrub is commonly mistaken with yuca root or cassava which belongs to the genus Euphorbiaceae.

Yucca is available in many forms including soaps, shampoos, lotions, powder supplements etc. It even is available in the form of capsules.

Yucca flower, fruits and seeds are used for consumption due to their health benefits.

Here are the health benefits of yucca:

• Yucca is widely used to treat arthritis pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in phenols, hence can effectively reduce inflammation. The patients of osteoarthritis can benefit from yucca due to saponins present in it.
• Being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, yucca improves immunity. It also protects against infections. The antioxidants protect your body from free radicals.
• Yucca can effectively reduce oxidative stress and promote heart health. It lowers the clumping of platelets and thus reduces the risk of heart diseases. It even can protect you against cancer.
• Yucca can lower high cholesterol levels in your body. The saponins bind with cholesterol to prevent its absorption in the intestines. Thus, it lowers the cholesterol levels in the blood.
• A study proved that yucca is beneficial in controlling diabetes. It lowers glucose levels and thus regulates blood sugar levels.
• Oxidative stress leads to several health conditions including heart problems, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease etc. Yucca effectively controls oxidative stress and prevents the risk of all such diseases.
• Yucca supplements are beneficial to skin infections, sores, sprains, dandruff etc. With the presence of folic acid, it even helps improve your eye health.
• The supplements of yucca may have certain adverse effects like nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach upset and irritation. They can also interfere with fat-soluble vitamins.
• Hence, do not consume them regularly for more than 3 months. Also, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should not consume them without the advice of a doctor.

Photo by Bicanski on Pixnio public domain (CC0)

Image Reference: https://pixnio.com/nature-landscapes/gardens-and-parks/yucca-tree-flora-shrub-plant-nature-garden-leaf