Yucca plant ideas

Scientific Names: Yucca spp. Family: Agavaceae

Common Names: Yucca, Manioc, Cassava, Mojave (Mohave) Yucca, Spanish Bayonet, Our Lord's Candle, Joshua Tree, Datil, Adam's-Needle, Mole, Soap Weed, Whipple Plant, or Dagger Plant

Yucca: Background

The Yucca root tuber is a white, starchy tropical vegetable with rough bark-like skin resembling a long narrow sweet potato. Yucca is native to the arid, desert regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America, Southwestern United States, Florida, California, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Historically, Native Americans of the Southwest United States have used the Yucca plant, including its fruits, blossoms, and leaves, for its medicinal, nutritional (dietary staple), and weaving (material fiber) value. Yucca has been used by Native Americans, even to this day, to make baskets, belts, clothing (cloth), cordage, hats, mats, sandals, and ropes. Their indigenous herbal knowledge and ingenuity led them to being able to ferment the Yucca fruits and leaf extracts in order to create a beverage they used in spiritual ceremonies and rituals. Botanically speaking, the Yucca plant was formerly classified in the Liliaceae (Lily) family but now accurately placed in the Agavaceae family.

Yucca contains vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and large concentrations of steroidal saponins (a natural source of cortisone normally produced by the adrenal glands and having a distinctive foaming characteristic) which makes for a better lather when used as a natural herbal soap, body wash, shampoo, and cleanser. Saponins also have antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, gluten-free, and emollient properties for example. The Yucca plant has many more beneficial holistic health and Ayurvedic properties, biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology information which will not be discussed here at this time.

Here are some of my "olde-time" herbal recipes for a yucca root lotion, shampoo / body wash, and soap / hand wash:

I. Lotion

My Yucca Root Lotion works very well as a skin moisturizer during these dry, cold months of Fall and Winter.

Ingredients:

1 Yucca Root
1 Aloe Vera Leaf (use the inner gel)
1-2 Tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2-3 Cups Spring Water (Distilled Water will do as a substitute)
1/4 Cup Lanolin
5-10 Drops Berberis vulgaris Extract (Barberry) or Oregon Grape Extract (Mahonia aquifolium, Berberidaceae; use this as a natural antiseptic and preservative)
1 Muslin Straining Cloth
1 Glass Pot
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Sterilized Plastic Holder with Lid

Preparation:

Bring the 2-3 Cups of Spring Water to a boil.
Chop the Yucca Root into quarters, rinse, and then boil until the Yucca Root is white and mushy, stirring periodically.
Let the Yucca Root cool then strain using the Muslin Straining Cloth.
Add the rest of the ingredients in and stir vigorously.
Decant the lotion into the sterilized plastic holder with lid.

Note: You may add your favorite Essential Oil should you wish your lotion to be scented.

II. Shampoo & Body Wash

Peel the outer skin from 2 or 3 Yucca root tubers (use more if you want to make a lot).

Chop the white root into very small cubes.

Add the cubes of Yucca to 1 quart of spring or mineral water then boil until the Yucca root becomes very soft and mushy; simmer the root until it reduces to the consistency you want (thickness or thinness). Let this concoction cool down to room temperature before using it! Once cooled, use as a shampoo or body wash.

III. Hand Soap

As a hand soap or hand wash, you can shred Yucca leaves or peel the outer bark of the tuber then rub them together between your palms with water to form lather.

Cordage making material as well in the leaves..