Jojoba

• What other names is Jojoba known by?
• What is Jojoba?
• How does Jojoba work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Dosing considerations for Jojoba.

What other names is Jojoba known by?

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

What is Jojoba?

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.

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.

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).