Aloe vera and jojoba oil are key ingredients in the making and selling of many shampoos.
These substances found in nature are prized for the value they bring to the products that include them. From Ancient Egyptian royalty to Native American medicine men, Aloe vera and jojoba oil have been relied upon for their ability to heal and soften skin and hair. Modern day Aloe vera shampoo contains stabilized aloe vera gel and jojoba seed oil.
History of Aloe Vera
Known as “The Plant of Immortality,” Aloe vera has been revered as a healing herb since ancient times. There are myths that Cleopatra and Nefertiti used Aloe vera in their bathing rituals, although this is disputed. A pound of Aloes was the price paid to attend a pharaoh’s funeral. One hundred pounds of Aloes and myrrh were used to prepare the body of Jesus Christ for burial. Aloe vera was revered by the Egyptians for its broadly applicable healing powers. One of the best known uses for aloe was for the ancient art of mummification which required Aloes and myrrh. The ancient Egyptians also used aloe to make papyrus.
History of Jojoba Oil
Jojoba, pronounced “ho-ho-ba,” is native to the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico and nearby areas in California and Arizona. The jojoba shrub can grow to a height of 15 feet, and can live as long as 200 years. Native Americans used jojoba oil as a hair and scalp treatment and as a hair restorative.
Properties of Aloe Vera
Known to contain over 150 different nutrients, Aloe vera also contains saponin, a chemical that has cleansing and antiseptic properties. Rich in polysaccharides, aloe vera can soften and penetrate skin up to seven layers deep, which can be useful in the treatment of psoriasis. Aloe vera shampoo is said to make hair softer. The salicylic acid content of the Aloe vera gel has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera also contains lignins that penetrate and soften the skin. The enzyme content of Aloe vera moisturizes and potentiates sloughing of dead skin cells. Aloe vera is also rich in B vitamins and amino acids.
Properties of Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is different from other vegetable oils in that it is actually a polyunsaturated liquid wax like sperm whale oil. Its use came in demand when use of sperm whale oil was outlawed in 1974. Because it is a wax, jojoba oil has moisturizing and protective qualities. Jojoba oil is similar to sebum, an oil produced in humans by sebaceous glands to moisturize skin and hair. Because it can accumulate around hair roots, jojoba to keep hair from becoming dull and brittle.
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