The Art of NATURE, The Art of SCIENCE
Common names | Mojave yucca
Scientific name | Yucca schidigera
Used part | Root
Known active compounds | resveratrol, yuccaols
Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial
Product name | Mojave Yucca-ANB
Plant Story
Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera) is an herbaceous plant native to southwestern North America. It has been used by Native Americans in traditional medicine. Yucca has been recognized by Native Americans as a “tree of life” with health-promoting values and thus one of the nicest desert plants. Yucca extracts have been used in folk medicine, especially to treat inflammatory disorders. Like Y. glauca, roots of Y. schidigera have also been used for hair washing against dandruff and hair loss.
Mojave yucca is a rich source of saponin and contains phenolic compounds such as resveratrol and yuccaols. Saponin fraction of Mojave yucca showed anti-microbial activity against dermatophytic yeasts Candida famata, Hansenula anomala, and Pichia carsonii. In addition, phenolic extract of Mojave yucca has shown anti-oxidant activity, and the anti-oxidant activity was higher than quercetin, a reference antioxidant phenolic compound. Resveratrol, a phenolic compound, has also been reported to be anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. The anti-inflammatory properties of yucca is believed to be related with resveratrol and yuccaols.