Plant oils as complete natural remedies are complex mixtures of natural substances made by plants. Different plant oils such as lemon, orange, mustard, and anise give fruits and seeds their characteristic odor and taste.
Plant oils as complete natural remedies are complex mixtures of plant-based natural substances made. Different plant oils such as lemon, orange, mustard, and anise give fruits and seeds their characteristic odor and taste.
Botanical oils are derived from various plant parts, such as their flowers, fruits, leaves, and wood. Sometimes the natural chemicals in the oil, as well as the oil itself, are registered as pesticide-active ingredients. It is also fairly common for two or more oils to be used in the same commercial product.
Many botanical oils are found in common foods, and a great number have been approved as food flavorings by the FDA. Although most people have certainly heard about and even used Jojoba oil, not too many of them know more about it. Well, Jojoba oil is in fact a vegetable oil obtained from the crushed bean of the jojoba shrub, also known as Simmondsia chinenis. Most jojoba oil is consumed as an ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products, especially skincare and hair care products.
Important facts about the Jojoba plant
Where is this plant found? Well, jojoba plants are native to the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico and neighboring regions in Arizona and southern California.
What does it look like? Well, characteristically - it grows in dense stands throughout that region. The shrub may reach 4.5 m in height.
Jojoba has flat gray-green leathery leaves and a deep root system that make it well adapted to desert heat and drought. It has a very long life span of 100 to 200 years, depending on environmental conditions. Although many people claim that the Jojova shrub smells good, the small flowers have no odor and do not attract pollinating insects — which is also important. Besides flowers, the green fruit of the Jojoba shrub dries in the desert heat and they are similar to coffee beans; contain a vegetable oil that is clear and odorless but less oily to the touch than traditional edible oils. The oil comprises half of the weight of the nut.
History of Jojoba oil usage
Several research studies done in the past have come to the conclusion that Native Americans have used jojoba for hundreds of years. They were using the oil and the seeds for many different purposes long before contact with the Western world:
- for treating sores, cuts, bruises, and burns
- as a dietary supplement
- as an appetite suppressant when food was not available
- as a skin conditioner
- for soothing windburn and sunburn
- as a cooking oil
- as a hair or scalp treatment and hair restorative
- as a coffee-like beverage by roasting the seeds
The chemical structure of jojoba oil
It is important to point out that the chemical structure of jojoba oil is different from that of other vegetable oils. How come? Well, it’s easy — rather than being an oil, Jojoba "oil" is actually a polyunsaturated liquid wax.
Some people say that Jojoba oil is similar to sperm whale oil, though without the fishy odor. The fact is also that the oil is made of fatty acids as well as esters composed entirely of straight chain alcohols. As a wax, jojoba oil is especially useful for applications that require moisture control, protection, and emolliency.
One important thing to know is that Jojoba oil is liquid at room temperature because of its unsaturated fatty acids. An interesting thing about this oil is that it does not oxidize or become rancid and does not break down under high temperatures and pressures, which means that it has an indefinite lifespan. Jojoba oil can be heated to 188°C for 96 hours without exhibiting degradation in general composition and carbon chain length.
General use of jojoba oil
Well, almost everyone knows that Jojoba oil has many uses in a wide variety of industries. It could be very difficult to mention all the possible uses but it is being used as a cosmetic, it is an effective cleanser, conditioner, moisturizer, and softener for the skin and hair. In most cases, Jojoba oil is applied directly to the skin to soften the skin, to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks, to lighten and help heal scars, and to promote a healthy scalp and healthy hair.
Jojoba oil and skin care
Not too many people know that Jojoba oil is similar to sebum. Sebum is normally secreted by human sebaceous glands to lubricate and protect the skin and hair, so, it has a protective function. Logically, when sebum production decreases due to age, jojoba oil can be successfully used to replicate sebum oil.
Not only that, several kinds of research have proven that natural jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizing agent with exceptional spread and lubrication properties. When you use Jojoba oil, it leaves a rich but non-oily feel on the skin while stopping water loss and enhancing the flexibility of the skin.
When Jojoba oil is used on the skin, it forms a very thin, non-greasy lipoid layer. This layer is partially porous and provides exceptional trans-epidermal respiration and moisture control. What's also important is that it significantly reduces trans-epidermal water loss but without totally blocking the transpiration of gases and water vapor.
Not so long ago some new beneficial properties of Jojoba oil were found. It was proven that this oil is soothing for skin conditions like rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, and will not cause flare-ups in patients who suffer from them. By helping to reinforce the structure of the epidermis, jojoba oil is extremely helpful in the healing process.
Jojoba oil and hair care
People found out that Jojoba oil can accumulate around the hair roots a long time ago. What is the main purpose of this? Well, it has a function in conditioning hair and preventing it from becoming brittle and dull. If there is too much sebum buildup on the scalp, it dissolves and removes the sebum, leaving the hair clean.
What really happens? Well, this oil rapidly penetrates down to the scalp and hair shaft, and readily loosens and dissolves this hardened build-up. The potential therapeutic uses of jojoba oil include the treatment of acne, cold sores, and such skin diseases as psoriasis. Not only that — long-term users claim that Jojoba oil as a solubilizing agent can also remove sticky buildup on hair from hair preparations as well as airborne particulates deposited on the hair.
What is the exact mechanism? Jojoba oil is widely used as an ingredient in:
- shampoos
- conditioners
- facial, hand and body lotions
- cuticle and nail care products
- baby care lotions
- creams
- oils
- cleansers
- moisturizers
- bath oils and soaps
- sunscreen lotions
- different makeup products
Jojoba oil and perfumes
Well, most people know that this natural oil is also used as a base in the manufacture of perfume. Because this plant doesn’t have a special odor, Jojoba oil is an excellent choice for manufacturers looking for a natural perfume base into which other ingredients can dissolve.
Jojobas oil as a pesticide
Not too many people know that Jojoba oil is also a registered pesticide for use on crops. How come? well, it is used to control white flies on all crops and powdery mildew on grapes and ornamentals. Experts are saying that the best should be if It is applied as a spray containing 1% or less final concentration of jojoba oil. It acts as a pesticide by forming a physical barrier between an insect pest and the leaf surface. What's good about all this? Well, because of its low toxicity and its rapid degradation in the environment, jojoba oil does not pose a risk to non-target organisms or the environment and is also safer for gardeners who are looking for a natural pesticide alternative.
Preparations of Jojoba
Like it was been told before- Jojoba oil is prepared by pressing the jojoba seeds to extract the oil, followed by filtration. Four grades of jojoba oil are produced:
- a pure, natural golden grade, a golden-yellow color oil that is produced by the basic production process
- refined and bleached jojoba oil, with color removed by bleaching and filtration
- a decolorized/deodorized grade, which is used in cosmetics requiring colorless and odorless oils
- a molecular distilled grade, an expensive formulation produced in minimal quantities, with its use having mostly been replaced with decolorized/deodorized jojoba oil
How to use it?
Skin care
Patients should use this oil daily and always - 100% pure oil. Jojoba should be added to day or night creams for the best results!
Cleanser
Use Jojoba as a cleanser, and if you are late home or tired, one cleansing and nourishment is enough to let you tumble into bed.
Rashes; chaffing; roughness; windburn; sunburn; elbows, and heels
Frequent Jojoba applications with a super rich body lotion should be used - preferably with Aloe Vera and vitamin E, two to four times daily.
Acne
Patient should wash face thoroughly with a good soap, rinse it well with warm water and then apply a little Jojoba and massage in twice daily. Use Aloe Vera jelly and Australian tea tree oil in alternate applications. All this should be accompanied with avoiding fatty foods and dairy products. These principles need to be followed with much patience over a long period. Pure Jojoba oil will help break up the scar tissue.
Scalp & hair cleansing
There is no doubt- Jojoba oil is nature's most perfect conditioner and moisturizer for healthy skin and hair. Patient should massage oil into scalp and hair 15 minutes before shampooing and conditioning. Good thing is that Jojoba is already naturally P.H. balanced. It is also particularly beneficial for dry or bleached hair. For healthier, cleaner scalp and hair, add a drop or two to your shampoo.
Hands & nails
Several researches done in the past have proven that Jojoba oil nourishes hands and nails. Oil should be rubbed well into the wick area.