The jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) is a small evergreen shrub that grows in Mexico and the southern United States.
The jojoba bears fruits that contain seeds. About 50% of the seeds' weight is made up of wax – and it is this wax that we call jojoba oil.
Although jojoba oil is primarily used in skincare, medical science has long been interested in the oil.
In this article, you'll learn about the most important properties and uses of jojoba oil.
The properties of jojoba oil
The idea behind jojoba oil's beneficial properties for humans is that a plant that can grow in one of the hottest and driest places on earth (the Mexican desert) must also have a beneficial effect on human skin (which, as we all know, does not tolerate much heat or drought). However, only a few of jojoba oil's properties in relation to the skin have been scientifically proven.
Undocumented properties
No studies have yet been able to prove that jojoba oil can treat or otherwise alleviate the following health problems:
- Hair loss
- Psoriasis
- Sunburns
- Chapped skin
Researched properties with lack of evidence
- Acne: There are several studies on the effects of jojoba oil on blemishes and pimples (acne), but the results are unclear and sometimes contradictory. The fact that jojoba oil has long been used in the cosmetic industry may strengthen the argument that it may have a remedial or preventive effect on acne.
- Baldness: Some experts believe that unclogged hair follicles are more likely to produce new hair than clogged ones – and that jojoba oil may therefore be able to alleviate baldness. Although there has been a lot of research into these theories, there is still no clear evidence that either jojoba or jojoba oil can be used against baldness.
- Wound healing: Although there is little research, jojoba oil may be used to accelerate wound healing.
Documented properties
The only scientifically documented effect of jojoba oil on humans is that it has a softening effect on the skin, which can be used to relieve clogged hair follicles, among other things. This softening effect is one of the reasons why it is used in cosmetic products.
Jojoba oil uses
Pesticide
Jojoba is a pesticide and can be used against fungi such as mildew.
Cosmetics
Jojoba oil is very popular in the cosmetic world, where it is used in shampoos, lipsticks, make-up, cleansing products, moisturizers, soaps, etc.
In practice, jojoba oil can be applied directly to the skin – i.e. you don't need to dilute it with base oil as with many other essential oils. Instead, it is recommended that you moisten your hands with warm water and then massage the oil into the skin. Jojoba oil can also be used for hair care, shaving and scalp massage (as described above).
The history of jojoba oil
Records from the 1800s show that the Indians of Baja California were aware of the special properties of jojoba oil and used it cosmetically and for health problems such as wounds and skin cancer. In addition, it was also used for hair loss and even to speed up labor.
In the Western world, jojoba oil only really hit the market in 1971. This happened when the American authorities tightened the rules on whaling and banned whale oil. Jojoba oil was now an obvious replacement for whale oil and it was found that “jojoba oil was superior to whale oil in many respects” (source).
Precautions to take
Jojoba oil should not be taken by mouth because it is harmful to health and can cause heart damage, for example. In addition, jojoba is indigestible and can therefore cause fatty diarrhea (steatorrhea).