Wholly Jojoba

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Abundant Jojoba

Simmondsia chinensis; Jojoba

Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) is a plant native to the South West United States and Northern Mexico. Known by the nicknames of "goat nut", "deer nut", and "coffee bush" this plant has long been used by the Native peoples of this region.  Simmondsia chinensis (Latin name of the jojoba plant) is an evergreen shrub like plant that grows in arid climates with little need for water. 

Close up of Growing Jojoba Seed Pod

This lovely desert jewel was known very little out side of native cultures up until the late 1960's and early 1970's.  For century's the medicinal values and healing properties of this plant had been passed down from generation to generation among the Native Americans of the South West.  There is one reason why jojoba began to appear in the limelight during this time period of our history. Nations began to become "environmentally conscious" and aware of limited natural resources.  Plants and animals alike were being put on the "new"  endangered species lists.  And soon hunting and harvesting of these wild resources was being ground to a halt, thus products derived from these now endangered species also came to a quick standstill. Among the endangered animals listed was the great Sperm Whale.  For centuries this animal was sought after and killed for its precious oil used in the cosmetic industry and elsewhere.  It was found that this plant held the key to, what turned out to be a superior "oil" to the once highly prized spermaceti waxes of the great whale.

Dried Jojoba Seeds

 Jojoba seeds produce a liquid wax, often referred to as an oil, that makes up about 50% of the seeds overall weight.  This wax vs. oil issue is in truth a big deal.  In fact it is what makes jojoba so beneficial for human skin. This liquid wax produced by the jojoba plant has extremely long strait-chain wax esters instead of triglycerides, making jojoba esters more similar to human sebum (the oil that our skin produces) than other traditionally used vegetable oils.

Pure Jojoba Oil

Jojoba offers a wide variety of health and skin benefits.  It is antibacterial and anti-inflamatory by nature making it very effective in the treatment of topical infections of the skin.  Jojoba also reduces the painful swelling and redness that often accompanies skin injury.  As a moisturizer, jojoba works exceedingly well due to the above mentioned nature of it's wax esters, leaving the skin feeling very soft and supple.  Jojoba acts very similarly upon the bodies dermal layers mimicking humans naturally produced sebum.  It has adaptogenic properties that help balance all types of skin.  In the case of too much oil production the application of jojoba actually tells the body that the skin already has it's supply and to stop making more sebum. In the case of too little sebum production the body is spurred into action with the use of jojoba "oil" almost acting as a reminder to the oil glands to produce more. As one can imagine due to it's antibacterial, anti-inflamatory and adaptogenic properties, jojoba is very effective in the treatment of both adult and adolescent acne.  If this isn't already enough, jojoba is also non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (non pour clogging).   As with anything the effectiveness of the product depends on what processes the plant has gone through before going into the products being used.  Always look for expeller pressed oil and labeling that indicates that the oil is not a blend of refined and second pressed oils. The oil that comes from the first press of the seeds is always the pure essential grade that you want!

What products do YOU use that contain jojoba "oil"? Are you satisfied with them, can you tell a difference on your skin? We would love to hear your comments and stories.


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***The information found within these blog posts is brought to you by Recherch’e Organics.  The owner of this small batch bath and body care company is a trained Master Herbalist, Holistic Nutrition Consultant and a Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner.  Many of these wonderful natural ingredients are used with in our product line currently or are being considered for future products of Recherch’e.  For more information or to buy from Recherch’e Organics please visit our website www.rechercheorganics.com and follow us on facebook and through BEAUTIFUL YOU (this blog).

Thank you for reading. 

Truly,

Hillari Ladd