Yucca (Yucca schidigera)

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

Adam's needle, Agavaceae (family), alexin, resveratrol, Yucca aloifolia, Yucca gloriosa L., Yucca recurvifolia Salisb., Yucca schidigera, yuccaols.

Background

Yucca is the common name for the more than 40 species of perennials in the Yucca genus. The plants are well known for their tough, sword-like leaves and a large spike of whitish flowers. They are native to the hot and dry parts of North America, Central America, and the West Indies, although they are popular landscaping plants and can be found worldwide.

There is insufficient evidence in humans to support the use of yucca for any indication. One human study indicates that a blend of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts may reduce cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. Preliminary studies also indicate that yucca may have antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Hypercholesterolemia: A blend of partially purified Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts may reduce cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. However, additional study is needed in this area, with yucca studied alone.
Grade: C

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, cancer.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):

There is no proven safe or effective dose for yucca.

Children (younger than 18 years):

There is no proven safe or effective dose for yucca in children.

Safety

DISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to yucca (Yucca schidigera) or its constituents.

Side Effects and Warnings

There are very few reports of yucca and its adverse effects. Of the available literature, there is some information on contact urticaria (hives) and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) caused by yucca. Use cautiously in patients taking antihyperlipidemia (cholesterol lowering) agents.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Yucca is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Alexin extracted from Yucca gloriosa flowers may have a broad spectrum of antifungal activity. Use cautiously when taking yucca with other antifungal agents.

Yuccaols and resveratrol from yucca may reduce inflammation. Use cautiously when taking yucca with other anti-inflammatory agents.

Ingestion of a blend of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extract filtrates may decrease total and LDL cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. Caution is advised when taking yucca with other cholesterol-lowering agents.

Although not well studied in humans, yuccaols and resveratrol from yucca may reduce cell proliferation. Caution is advised in patients with cancer and in those taking anticancer agents.

Yucca may have antioxidant activity. Caution is advised when taking yucca with other antioxidant agents.

Although not well studied in humans, yucca leaf protein isolated from the leaves of Yucca recurvifolia Salisb. inhibited herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, and human cytomegalovirus. Use cautiously in patients taking antiviral agents.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Alexin extracted from Yucca gloriosa flowers may have a broad spectrum of antifungal activity. Use cautiously when taking yucca with other antifungal agents.

Yuccaols and resveratrol from yucca may reduce inflammation. Use cautiously when taking yucca with other anti-inflammatory herbs or supplements.

Although not well studied in humans, yuccaols and resveratrol from yucca may reduce cell proliferation. Caution is advised in patients with cancer and in those taking anticancer herbs or supplements.

Yucca may have antioxidant activity. Caution is advised when taking yucca with other antioxidant herbs or supplements.

Although not well studied in humans, yucca leaf protein isolated from the leaves of Yucca recurvifolia Salisb. inhibited herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, and human cytomegalovirus. Use cautiously in patients taking antiviral herbs or supplements.

Based on a clinical trial, ingestion of a blend Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extract filtrates may decrease total and LDL cholesterol levels of hypercholesterolemic patients. Caution is advised in patients with hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and in those taking herbs or supplements, such as red yeast rice, for these conditions.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature, and was peer-reviewed and edited by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): Dawn Costa, BA, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); James Hegarty, PharmD (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD (Massachusetts General Hospital); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).

Bibliography

DISCLAIMER: Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

Balestrieri C, Felice F, Piacente S, et al. Relative effects of phenolic constituents from Yucca schidigera Roezl. bark on Kaposi's sarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and PAF synthesis. Biochem Pharmacol 5-14-2006;71(10):1479-1487.

Favel A, Kemertelidze E, Benidze M, et al. Antifungal activity of steroidal glycosides from Yucca gloriosa L. Phytother.Res 2005;19(2):158-161.

Hayashi K, Nishino H, Niwayama S, et al. Yucca leaf protein (YLP) stops the protein synthesis in HSV-infected cells and inhibits virus replication. Antiviral Res 1992;17(4):323-333.

Kanerva L, Estlander T, Petman L, et al. Occupational allergic contact urticaria to yucca (Yucca aloifolia), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), and spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii). Allergy 2001;56(10):1008-1011.

Kim SW, Park SK, Kang SI, et al. Hypocholesterolemic property of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts in human body. Arch Pharm.Res 2003;26(12):1042-1046.

Mahillon V, Saussez S, Michel O. High incidence of sensitization to ornamental plants in allergic rhinitis. Allergy 2006;61(9):1138-1140.

Munno G, Giannoccaro F, Riva G, et al. Allergy to yucca. Allergy 2001;56(9):921-922.

Olas B, Wachowicz B, Majsterek I, et al. Antioxidant properties of trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene against modification of variety of biomolecules in human blood cells treated with platinum compounds. Nutrition 2006;22(11-12):1202-1209.

Poljacki M, Paravina M, Jovanovic M, et al. [Contact allergic dermatitis caused by plants]. Med Pregl. 1993;46(9-10):371-375.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.