Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines: Yucca

Sixteen varieties of Yucca have documented use in Herbal Medicine: Yucca aloifolia - Spanish Bayonet, Yucca angustissima, Yucca baccata - Spanish Bayonet, Yucca brevifolia - Joshua Tree, Yucca constricta - Buckley's Yucca, Yucca elata - Soap Tree, Yucca filamentosa - Spoonleaf Yucca, Yucca filifera, Yucca glauca - Soapweed, Yucca gloriosa - Spanish Dagger, Yucca harrimaniae - Spanish Bayonet, Yucca recurvifolia, Yucca rupicola - Twisted-Leaf Yucca , Yucca schidigera - Mojave Yucca, Yucca smalliana - Adam's Needle, Yucca whipplei - Our Lord's Candle

Four varieties are native to my region: Yucca aloifolia (Aloe Yucca, Spanish Bayonet), Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle, Bear-Grass), Yucca flaccida (Weakleaf Yucca) and Yucca gloriosa.

The Lumbee used Yucca:

Lumbee herbal healers would tell their patients to rub the root of Bear Grass (Yucca filamentosa) onto their bodies to treat skin irritation. Two small pieces or more were used for this medicine. The beaten root was used with or without tallow for a salve to treat sores. A tea was suggested to treat diabetes. The Catawba, a sister tribe to the Lumbee, would rub this plant on their skin and body to treat general skin disease.

Plants for A Future states:

Medicinal use of Spanish Bayonet: The fruit is purgative. The boiled and mashed root, mixed with oil, has been used as a salve in the treatment of various complaints.

Medicinal use of Spoonleaf Yucca: A poultice made from the roots is used in the treatment of sores, skin diseases and sprains.

Medicinal use of Spanish Dagger: The fruit is purgative. The root is detergent.

Resources of The Southern Fields and Forests tells us:

BEAR-GRASS; ADAM'S NEEDLE, {Yucca filamentosa, L.) Diffused; I have collected it in Sumter District, S.C.

A tincture of the roots is much employed in rheumatism. I am told by correspondents in Statesburg, S. C, that in large doses it produces giddiness. This statement should excite further attention to the plant. The -' Cherokee doctors " use it in the form of a poultice of the roots, or a salve, as a local application in allaying inflammation.

Peterson Field Guides Eastern and Central Medicinal Plants states:

Yucca filamentosa: American Indians used root in salves or poultices for sores, skin diseases, and sprains. Pounded roots were put in water to stupify corralled fish so they would float to the surface for easy harvest. Could be used as a starting material for steroids. Warning: Root compounds toxic to lower life forms.

Yucca glauca: American Indians poulticed roots on inflammations, used it to stop bleeding, in steam baths for sprains and broken limbs; as a hair wash for dandruff and baldness. In experiments with mice, water extracts have shown antitumor activity against B16 melanoma. One human clinical study suggests that saponin extracts of roots were effective in treatment of arthritis (findings disputed). Warning: Root compounds toxic to lower life forms.

This article is an excerpt from 

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide

Read about Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6: by Judson Carroll

PS. New today in my Woodcraft shop: 

New Book: 

The Spring Foraging Cookbook: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-spring-foraging-cookbook.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRP63R54

Read about my other new books:

A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass readings July-December, 2024
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-daily-catholic-devotional-reflections.html

Medicinal Weeds and Grasses of the American Southeast, an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/medicinal-weeds-and-grasses-of-american.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47LHTTH

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/confirmation-autobiography-of-faith.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK


Visit my Substack and sign up for my free newsletter: 

Read about my new other books:

Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS

The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6

and

Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9R


The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Bitter Herbs: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R

and

Christian Medicine, History and Practice: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB


Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html

Also available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25

Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs

Blog:

https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/

Free Video Lessons: https://rumble.com/c/c-618325

Disclaimer

The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.