Buy Yucca Root For Inflammation, Arthritis, Joint Pain and More

YuccaThe blue yucca, or banana yucca, Y. baccata, is
Yucca glaucafound throughout the desert Southwest, and the
Agavaceae (agave family)Joshua tree, Y. brevifolia, also provided medicines,
Yucca was misnamed by John Gerarde, an Englishfoods, and soapy cleansers. Ancient fibers from
physician, in the 1600s, as it was mistaken for thethese species have been found as yucca cordage,
vegetable yucca. Like other botanical misnomers,belts, rope ladders, cradle lashings, and sandals at
the name has stuck. The species name, glauca,Bandolier National Historic Park and other
means "whitened with a bloom"; the leaves areprehistoric sites in the Southwest.
covered with a whitish, waxy film.As the name soapweed implies, fresh or dry
Yucca is a big family of striking plants, with aboutyucca roots are pounded and thrashed in water
forty species native to North America. Theyto make a sudsy lather for scalp and hair. Zuni,
grow primarily in the warmer regions of theCochiti, and Jemez Pueblo men and women wash
South, where they are often cultivated. There aretheir hair with it before ceremonial dances, as do
a few hardy species in the North.many other Indians. They take great pride in the
These perennials grow in clumps radiating outhealthy shine it gives their black hair, plus the
from basal rosettes above woody rootstocks.yucca treatments are considered to strengthen
Abundant, long, bayonet-like, waxy green leavesthe hair. Pueblo potters used yucca-fiber brushes
sometimes have whitish margins. Large flowersto draw their classic designs on clay pots,
cluster along stout, spire-like stalks extending wellespecially at Acoma Pueblo.
above the leaves. These bell-shapedModern uses:
creamy-white flowers bloom from May throughYucca tea provides valuable anti-inflammatory
July, then ripen into long, green oval pods thatrelief for arthritic pains according to Michael Moore,
become woody when mature and open toa folk medicine practitioner. He maintains that
release numerous flat black seeds. All plant partssimilar teas also provide relief from prostate
are valuable, but principally the large roots wereinflammations.
used medicinally and for haircare.Growth needs and propagation:
Soapweed, Yucca glauca, is also known asYucca prefers sandy, loamy soil with good
beargrass, amole, Spanish bayonet, dagger plant,drainage and open exposure to the sun and wind.
and Adam's needle (referring to thesePropagation is easily made from the seeds,
sharp-pointed leaves). The Lakota call it hupe'stolaoffsets (new young plants), and cuttings of
(sharp-pointed stem); the Pawnee call itstems, rhizomes, or roots in late summer, fall, or
chakida-kahtsu; the Omaha and Ponca call itwinter. Follow standard procedures.
duwaduwahi; and the Blackfeet name is eksiso-ke.Yucca is an attractive, robust evergreen plant
This plant grows wild across the Great Plainsthat often blooms on Memorial Day in southern
regions, especially favoring the sandy areas.regions. It is cultivated across the country Roots
Traditional uses:of mature plants can grow to be twenty feet
The Blackfeet and other Plains tribes boiled Yuucalong. These plants have stunning cultivars, specially
roots in water to make a tonic to prevent hairrosea, which is noted for its rose-tinted flowers.
loss. This also served as an anti-inflammatory forCompanions:
poulticing sprains and breaks. Young emergingYucca plants are good companions for yarrow,
blossoms and new seedpods were also edibleprickly pear, Oregon holly grape, strawberry, and
foods for many tribes. The Lakota made a strongtobacco.
root tea to drink for stomach aches. When thisMay all I say and all I think be in harmony with
was mixed with a tea of the roots of the pricklythee, God within me, God beyond me, Maker of
pear cactus, it made a valued childbirth remedy.the tree.