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Jojoba
Simmondsia chinensis Goatnut
Simmondsiaceae – Jojoba family
Description Jojoba is a many-branched shrub reaching 3-6 feet in height. The ovoid leaves are entire, leathery, and arranged oppositely along the stems. They are ¾-2 inches long, grayish-green, and tend to yellow with age or stress. The leaves are positioned upright so most of its exposure to the sun occurs in the morning and late afternoon; this orientation minimizes sun-stress. Jojoba is divided between male and female plants. Both flower types are inconspicuous. The seed produced from the female, the famed “goatnut”, is shaped like an acorn, is dark brown when mature and surrounded by a lighter husk. At any given time, it has been placed in the Box, Spurge, or Jojoba families.
Distribution Between 1,500-5,000 feet look for Jojoba growing on rocky slopes and hillsides throughout the Sonoran Desert and Chaparral Scrub regions of Arizona, and southern California.
Chemistry Glycosides contained within fruit: simmondsin, d-pinitol, and galactinol; leaf tannins: both condensed and hydrolyzable types
Medicinal Uses As a tannin-containing plant Jojoba topically applied to the skin is astringent. The fresh leaf poultice, tea, or dried leaf powder will lessen surface inflammation from scrapes, rashes, and burns. The plant’s tightening effect will diminish blood flow from cuts and will tend to lessen discharge from weepy rashes. Jojoba also proves to be slightly antimicrobial to surface tissues, thereby helping tissues to heal more quickly. The tea used as a mouthwash or gargle will help to resolve mouth sores, lessen bleeding from gums, and soothe sore throats. If swallowed the tea will diminish diarrhea through its astringing effects on the intestines.
Indications Cuts/burns/rashes (external) Mouth inflammations/sore throats (gargle) Diarrhea
Collection Trim the upper branches of the plant when new leaf growth is apparent. The leaves should be light green and hydrated.
Dosage Leaf decoction: 4-6 ounces 3 times daily Topical preparations: as needed
Cautions Jojoba’s array of tannins can be disrupting to sensitive mucus membranes that line the gut and intestines, so keep use short term: 5-7 days at a time. Like other tannin bearing plants caution should be applied if taking Jojoba while pregnant due to its vasoconstricting effects on uterine lining.
Other Uses Jojoba seeds are fully mature and edible from late summer through fall. They are a rich and flavorful seed, particularly if roasted. In larger amounts they tend to be tortuous on digestion. The liquid wax extracted from the seed is used widely in the natural cosmetic industry.
There is some speculation based on research that eating Jojoba seeds produces satiation through its influence on CCK (cholecystokinin); eating several seeds before meals may reduce the amount of food needed to feel full. |