Can You Drink Water From a Yucca Plant?

Medicinal Use of Water

• Yucca plants have tuberous roots filled with water, which has various uses in nontraditional medicine. Water obtained from smashing the roots was taken for relieving headaches. Though it was also taken for the treatment of arthritis, there is little evidence to support this particular claim. However, yucca root water in its decocted form has been used for the treatment of liver and gallbladder problems, Jim Meuninck writes in his book "Medicinal Plants of North America." The root of Yucca baccata was also chewed to ease childbirth.

Insecticidal Spray

• An insecticidal spray made with the root water is also suggested as an organic, water-soluble spray alternative to more toxic chemical insecticides. Puree 1 cubic inch of roots from Yucca baccata or Yucca filamatosa with 2 cups of water. Strain and pour into a large container. Mix with a pint of water and use for spraying vegetables and fruits to control a number of common pests.

Flowers

• The central spike in the yucca resembles a large asparagus. Cut off the spike, peel it and slice it crosswise. Eat after baking or frying the slices. Pick the flower buds just before they open. Parboil the buds and discard the water. Rinse the buds thoroughly before eating. Soak the already blooming flowers overnight and then boil before eating. You can also fry the petals and eat these or use raw petals in salads.

Fruit

• Peel the ripe fruit and remove the seeds. Eat after boiling, baking, roasting or frying. You can also bake the fruit pods, dry them and then grind into a meal for long-term storage. Boil the fruit pulp to a thick paste, roll into a sheet, dry in the sun and then slice and eat as candy. The unripened fruit pods can also be picked and dried for storage. This helps to minimize damage from burrowing insects.