Simmondsia chinensis
Jojoba
Simmondsia chinensis, commonly known as jojoba, is a remarkable desert shrub prized for its unique, liquid wax esters. Unlike most botanical oils, jojoba oil closely mimics human sebum, making it an exceptional emollient. Widely used in skincare and cosmetics, it offers profound moisturizing, healing, and protective medicinal properties.
- Scientific name: Simmondsia chinensis
- Family: Simmondsiaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it resides in the family Simmondiaceae and is identified by the genus Simmondsia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Simmondsiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Simmondsia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Simmondsia chinensis, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In Hungarian, it is referred to as jojoba (hu), while in Arabic, it is known as هوهوبا (ar). It is also commonly called jojoba in Catalan (ca), and in German, it is known as Jojoba (de). Furthermore, in Esperanto, the plant is called Jojobo (eo).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hu | jojoba | Wikidata |
| ar | هوهوبا | Wikidata |
| ca | jojoba | Wikidata |
| de | Jojoba | Wikidata |
| eo | Jojobo | Wikidata |
| fi | vuohenpuksio | Wikidata |
| fr | jojoba | Wikidata |
| he | חוחובה | Wikidata |
| ja | ホホバ | Wikidata |
| lt | Kininė simondsija | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Simmondsia chinensis, is primarily distributed across the arid regions of North America. In the Southwestern United States, it can be found growing in the states of Arizona, California, and Utah. Its range extends further into the South-Central United States, specifically throughout New Mexico. Additionally, the species is prevalent in the northeastern parts of Mexico. This specific geographical pattern highlights its adaptation to the dry climates of these particular territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern U.S.A. | Arizona | WCVP |
| Southwestern U.S.A. | California | WCVP |
| Southwestern U.S.A. | Utah | WCVP |
| South-Central U.S.A. | New Mexico | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
Chemicals
Simmondsia chinensis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, alcohols, antioxidant, free fatty acids, moisturizing.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcohols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| free fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| moisturizing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pinitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| simmondsin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sugars | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wax esters | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Simmondsia chinensis has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Moisturizing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Simmondsia chinensis has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Toxoplasma gondii infection.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stenotrophomonas maltophilia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Toxoplasma gondii infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| immunity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |