| Jojoba is a shrub that is native to the Sonoran and | | | | be found in shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, and |
| Majoave desserts of Arizona, California, and Mexico. | | | | sunscreens. |
| It is the only species in the family SImmondsiaceae. | | | | Jojoba oil, which is made from the seeds of the |
| Sometimes, it is also placed in the box family, | | | | plant, has been used traditionally by Native Americans. |
| Buxaceae. This herb is also known as goat nut, deer | | | | They use this herb to promote hair growth and |
| nut, pignut, wild hazel, quinine nut, coffeeberry, and | | | | relieve skin problems. Jojoba helps to remove the |
| gray box bush. The jojoba plant grows one to two | | | | sebum deposits that are responsible for causing |
| meters tall and has a broad, dense crown. The leaves | | | | dandruff and scalp disorders. This herb is responsible |
| are opposite, oval in shape, and approximately two | | | | for making the scalp less acidic. |
| to four centimeters in length and 1.5 to 3 centimeters | | | | One study found the wax that is in the jojoba oil to |
| wide. The leaves are thick, waxy, and gray-green in | | | | treat acne and psoriasis. This herb has traditionally |
| color. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow in | | | | been used successfully for this purpose. In addition, it |
| color. They have five to six sepals and no petals. | | | | is used to heal minor skin irritations. A study on |
| Each plant is neither male or female. Hermaphrodites | | | | rabbits found that those who were fed jojoba oil had |
| in this species are extremely rare. The fruit of the | | | | a reduction of forty percent in their blood cholesterol |
| jojoba plant is an acorn-shaped ovoid that is one to | | | | levels. The reason or component that is responsible |
| two centimeters long. The mature seed is a hard | | | | for this activity still remains unknown. |
| oval, dark brown in color, and contains about | | | | The oil of the jojoba plant is used to provide |
| fifty-four percent oil. | | | | emollient properties. The primary nutrients found in |
| Jojoba foliage gives a year-round food opportunity | | | | jojoba are chromium, copper, iodine, silicon, vitamins E |
| for many animals. Among these include deer, jaelina, | | | | and B complex, and zinc. It is important to consult |
| bighorn sheep, and livestock. The nuts are often | | | | your health care provider before consider using this |
| eaten by squirrels, rabbits, other rodents, and larger | | | | or any other supplement while on prescription |
| birds. The only animal known to be able to digest the | | | | medications. Primarily, jojoba is very beneficial in |
| wax that is found inside the jojoba nut is the Bailey's | | | | treating dandruff, hair loss, psoriasis, and dry scalp. |
| Pocket Mouse. The seed meal is toxic to many | | | | Additionally, this herb is extremely helpful in dealing |
| mammals when taken in large quantities. The | | | | with abrasions, acne vulgaris, athlete's foot, cuts, |
| indigestible wax often acts as a laxative in humans. | | | | eczema, pimples, seborrhea, mouth sores, warts, and |
| Native Americans in Arizona, California, and northern | | | | wrinkles. For more information on the many benefits |
| Mexico used jojoba for the hair and as a tonic for | | | | provided by jojoba, please feel free to contact a |
| the body. The herb is a valuable crop for some | | | | representative from your local health food store with |
| Native American tribes in those areas. This herb can | | | | questions. |