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Jojoba

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Buxus chinensis, Deernut, Goatnut, Huile de Jojoba, Jojoba Oil, Pignut, Simmondsia californica, Simmondsia chinensis.

Overview

Jojoba is a shrub that is grows in dry regions of northern Mexico and the southwestern US. Jojoba oil and wax are produced from the seeds and used for medicine.

Jojoba is applied directly to the skin for acne, psoriasis, sunburn, and chapped skin. It is also used topically to encourage the regrowth of hair in people who are balding.

In manufacturing, jojoba is used as an ingredient in shampoo; lipstick; makeup; cleansing products; and in face, hand, and body lotions.

How does work?

Jojoba, when applied to the skin, is an emollient, which soothes skin and unclogs hair follicles. There is an interest in using jojoba for balding because some people think that unclogged hair follicles are more likely to produce new hair.

Uses

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Alzheimer's disease. Early research suggests that massaging the hand with jojoba oil does not improve emotions, aggression, or mental function in people with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Mosquito repellant. Early research suggests that applying a specific product containing jojoba oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, and vitamin E (Three Bio-skincare) to the skin might be effective as a mosquito repellant, with effects lasting for at least 3 hours after application.
  • Acne.
  • Psoriasis.
  • Sunburn.
  • Chapped skin.
  • Hair loss.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of jojoba for these uses.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Side Effects

Jojoba is LIKELY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin. It can cause some side effects such as rash and allergic reactions.

Jojoba is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone when taken by mouth. Jojoba contains a chemical called erucic acid, which can cause serious side effects such as heart damage.

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Applying jojoba to the skin during pregnancy and breast-feeding is LIKELY SAFE. But it is LIKELY UNSAFE to take jojoba by mouth.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of jojoba depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for jojoba. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

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References

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Bream, A. S., Ghoneim, K. S., Tanani, M. A., and Nassar, M. I. Respiratory metabolic responsiveness during the pupal stage of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to certain plant extracts. Meded.Rijksuniv.Gent Fak.Landbouwkd.Toegep.Biol Wet. 2001;66(2a):491-502. View abstract.

Clarke, J. A. and Yermanos, D. M. Effects of ingestion of jojoba oil on blood cholesterol levels and lipoprotein patterns in New Zealand white rabbits. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 10-30-1981;102(4):1409-1415. View abstract.

Cokelaere, M., Daenens, P., Decuypere, E., Flo, G., Kuhn, E., Van Boven, M., and Vermaut, S. Reproductive performance of rats treated with defatted jojoba meal or simmondsin before or during gestation. Food Chem Toxicol 1998;36(1):13-19. View abstract.

Di Berardino, L., Di Berardino, F., Castelli, A., and Della, Torre F. A case of contact dermatitis from jojoba. Contact Dermatitis 2006;55(1):57-58. View abstract.

Flo, G., Van Boven, M., Vermaut, S., Daenens, P., Decuypere, E., and Cokelaere, M. The vagus nerve is involved in the anorexigenic effect of simmondsin in the rat. Appetite 2000;34(2):147-151. View abstract.

Habashy, R. R., Abdel-Naim, A. B., Khalifa, A. E., and Al Azizi, M. M. Anti-inflammatory effects of jojoba liquid wax in experimental models. Pharmacol Res 2005;51(2):95-105. View abstract.

Hantus, S., Pauly, M., Darvill, A. G., Albersheim, P., and York, W. S. Structural characterization of novel L-galactose-containing oligosaccharide subunits of jojoba seed xyloglucans. Carbohydr Res 10-28-1997;304(1):11-20. View abstract.

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Lein, S., Van Boven, M., Holser, R., Decuypere, E., Flo, G., Lievens, S., and Cokelaere, M. Simultaneous determination of carbohydrates and simmondsins in jojoba seed meal (Simmondsia chinensis) by gas chromatography. J Chromatogr A 11-22-2002;977(2):257-264. View abstract.

Leon, F., Van Boven, M., de Witte, P., Busson, R., and Cokelaere, M. Isolation and identification of molecular species of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine from jojoba seed meal (Simmondsia chinensis). J Agric.Food Chem 3-10-2004;52(5):1207-1211. View abstract.

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Moreau, R. A. and Huang, A. H. Gluconeogenesis from Storage Wax in the Cotyledons of Jojoba Seedlings. Plant Physiol 1977;60(2):329-333. View abstract.

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Van Boven, M., Holser, R., Cokelaere, M., Flo, G., and Decuypere, E. Gas chromatographic analysis of simmondsins and simmondsin ferulates in jojoba meal. J Agric.Food Chem 2000;48(9):4083-4086. View abstract.

Van Boven, M., Laga, M., Leonard, S., Busson, R., Holser, R., Decuypere, E., Flo, G., Lievens, S., and Cokelaere, M. Mechanism of simmondsin decomposition during sodium hydroxide treatment. J Agric.Food Chem 2-26-2003;51(5):1260-1264. View abstract.

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Vermaut, S., De Coninck, K., Bruggeman, V., Onagbesan, O., Flo, G., Cokelaere, M., and Decuypere, E. Evaluation of jojoba meal as a potential supplement in the diet of broiler breeder females during laying. Br Poult.Sci 1999;40(2):284-291. View abstract.

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Wantke, F., Hemmer, W., Gotz, M., and Jarisch, R. Contact dermatitis from jojoba oil and myristyl lactate/maleated soybean oil. Contact Dermatitis 1996;34(1):71-72. View abstract.

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