Introduction
Over many centuries Argan Oil has been known as an extremely unusual secret and a natural miracle by the Berber women in Morocco by using it for nourishing their skin, hair and nails and protecting them from the harsh conditions of the environment. More and above, Argan Oil is regarded as “miracle liquid gold of Morocco”. Argan oil is the unique cosmetic product of its type and standard owing to its multiple uses. No other cosmetic product of such multifarious usage has ever been produced.
Argan oil is fully regarded to be one of the most natural rarest, precious oils extracted in human history.
Based on its rarity and precious, Argan oil is highly appreciated by Moroccans and natural oil fans and enthusiasts not only in Morocco but also around world. How precious is Argan oil!
Actually, Argan oil is extremely precious because it has multiple health benefits. For understanding the essence of Argan oil to human life, first of all you have to know its history, uses and benefits.
Argan Oil History
Actually, the Argan tree (argania spinosa) is the oldest trees in world that still yields up to this moment and requires no cultivation. Argan tree grows exclusively in the semi-desert of southwest Morocco - roughly between Essaouira and Agadir, it is relatively not big, and only grows to about 10 meters in length. The Argan tree lives hundreds of years, 200+ years according to official estimates, and from it grow the Argan fruit. Argan tree yields Argan fruit and still yields it even at a very old age. The fruit has a green fleshy in the spring and olive sized fruits that are yellow when ripe. Inside the fruit there is a nut which has an extremely hard shell and contains one to three almond shaped kernels. The nuts are collected after they have fully dried and have fallen to the ground in the end of summer, and produced into the Argan oil by a very arduous traditional process.
Argan tree has a regenerative ability to ‘resurrect’ after death, and this is one of the important reasons why it is extremely special.
About 3 centuries ago, history dates the first time that the argan oil was mentioned in western history. Before the eighteen century, only the Moroccans knew how precious the argan tree is and what benefits it may bring to human life.
Argan tree has a thorny, rough and twisted stem. Its stem is short, but its branches can attain the height of 8-10 meters. Its oval shaped leaves have a small size. Its roots penetrate very deep into the soil for absorbing moisture necessary for its life because of hot dry climate of its environment.
In 1999 UNESCO declared the Moroccan Argan Forest as a World Biosphere.
Argan seeds contain 100% organic Argan oil. The special qualities of Argan Oil and the rapid decline of the Argan tree led to UNESCO designating an area of 25,000 sq km between the Atlantic and Atlas Mountains as a reserve.
The production of Argan oil, which is still relatively done by traditional methods, is a lengthy process.. The production of one liter of oil takes about 20-22 hours of hands on labor.
Once Argan oil has been produced, the oil will be used for different purposes.
Nowadays, the popularity of the Argan oil is spreading all over the world. There are many celebrities advertising and recommending the product everywhere. Argan oil is also used nowadays for the same reasons, health and beauty. People are now using the oil just like what the Berbers made of them. They apply Argan oil to their skin, hair and nails for protecting and nourishing these body parts. There are also multiple researches that have proven the effectiveness of Argan oil in protecting our skin and hair and providing us with optimum health.
Cosmetic Benefits of Argan oil
* Skin moisturizing
* Enhancing skin beauty and youthfulness
* Regenerating and rejuvenating aging skin
* Protecting skin from harsh effects of free radicals
* Neutralizes free radicals and protects conjunctive tissue
* Slowing the appearance of wrinkles
* Improving skin elasticity
* Reducing skin irritation
* Mitigation, relieving skin damaged by sun, wind and smoking
* protecting skin from damaging effects of UV rays.
* Aiding in the development and growth of skin cells
* Useful in the treatment of skin inflammatory diseases like Acne, Chickenpox and Psoriasis.
* Protein rich Argan oil is very good for the elasticity of skin. It strengthens the protein bonding structures in the skin which works to tighten the skin and make it look fresh.
* Restoring the life and shine to hair
* Preventing split ends of the hair
* Promoting scalp health to restore hair growth and vitality
* Moistening dry itchy scalp
* Aiding and improving dry brittle nails
Benefits of culinary Argan oil
* Providing Vitamin E
* Providing essential fatty acids
* Giving and enhancing food taste and flavor
* Promoting healthy cholesterol
* Reduces high blood pressure
* Soothing joints
* Promoting blood sugar balance
* Fights obesity by reducing hunger pain if eaten during the morning hours
* Helps liver functions
* Argan Oil is an excellent source of vitamin E