Jojoba

Generic name: Simmondsia Californica Nutall., Simmondsia Chinensis (Link) Schneider.
Brand names: Jojoba, K-20W Jojoba

Usage of Jojoba

The toxicity of the constituent simmondsin in jojoba seed meal and of some of the oil components limits the likelihood of clinical trials.

Dermatology

Animal data

Topical administration of the refined wax to guinea pigs for 20 weeks resulted in no systemic effects. A reversible swelling accompanied by reduced skin flexibility and an increased sensitivity to shaving was observed. However, there were no histological changes in skin tissues. These effects were most likely due to an occlusive-like action created by the wax.Yaron 1982

Clinical data

Jojoba is most commonly recognized as an ingredient in cosmetics and other topical preparations at concentrations varying from 1% to 20%.Arndt 1987, Wantke 1996 Limited clinical studies show skin hydrating effects of hydrolyzed jojoba esters similar in magnitude to glycerol.Meyer 2008, Mosovich 1984

In 2013, a 10-week randomized controlled field study in Madagascar documented rapid and significant improvements in tungiasis outcome measures in subjects treated twice daily with a coconut oil-based herbal repellent that includes jojoba oil and aloe vera. Tungiasis is a parasitic sand flea skin disease that can cause significant morbidity in many resource-poor tropical communities. At 2 weeks, the sand flea attack rate was zero and the intensity of infestation as well as the severity scores for acute and chronic tungiasis were significantly decreased. Within 10 weeks, the degree of tungiasis-associated morbidity approached zero.Thielecke 2013

Other uses

Anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated in experiments with induced rat paw edema, and in granulation models; these effects have also affected Neutrophil activity.Habashy 2005

Jojoba exhibits antioxidant activity, probably related to the content of alpha-tocopherol found in the leaves.Mallet 1994

In a rabbit study, ingestion of jojoba oil as a 2% supplement to an atherogenic diet produced a 40% reduction of blood cholesterol, although the mechanism by which this occurred was not determined.Clarke 1981 Simmondsin is a recognized anorectic, affecting the satiety response, as well as causing a conditioned taste aversion.Bouali 2008, Lievens 2003, Lievens 2009 Jojoba seed meal has been used as animal feed once detoxified. The treated meal is nontoxic to mice, poultry, sheep, and cattle.Pérez-Gil 1989, Verbiscar 1981

Jojoba side effects

Case reports of contact dermatitis cOnfirmed by skin patch tests exist for jojoba oil.Di Berardino 2006, Wantke 1996

Before taking Jojoba

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Adverse toxicological studies in rodents and birds have been published.Cokelaere 2001, Vermaut 1998

How to use Jojoba

There is no clinical evidence to guide dosage of jojoba or its oil; it is primarily used as a vehicle for oxidation-sensitive substances in ointments.Le Dréau 2009

Warnings

The oral median lethal dose of crude jojoba wax is more than 160 g/kg in mice.Taguchi 1977 SuBC UTAneous injection of 1 mL/kg for 7 weeks in test animals resulted in no systemic effects, although some systemic accumulation was observed.Yaron 1982

In experiments in rats, jojoba meal as a feed showed no changes in liver, kidney, or spleen histology; however, reversible depression of red blood marrow cells was observed.Boozer 2006 Histological changes in the small intestine and increases in serum transaminases have also been reported in rodents.Verschuren 1989

Jojoba oil is 14% erucic acid, a causative factor in myocardial fibrosis. Although no direct relationship has been established between this compound and jojoba toxicity in humans, jojoba should not be ingested in any form.Clarke 1981, EPA 1995

Limited experiments in rodents suggest effects of jojoba meal on the developing fetus related to decreased maternal food intake.Cokelaere 1998, Cokelaere 2001 In female broiler chickens, jojoba meal decreased feed intake and controlled body weight; however, the birds were unable to produce eggs due to small oviducts. No effect on the ovaries or follicle development was observed.Vermaut 1998

What other drugs will affect Jojoba

None well documented.

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