WHAT IS ARGAN OIL ?

The Argan (Argania Spinosa.) is a species of a tree endemic to the calcareous semi-desert of south-western Morocco in North Africa. it is the sole species in the genus Argania.
The Argan tree can reach a height of 32 feet, and can live up to 200 years. It is thorny, with gnarled trunks. The leaves are small .78 to 1.57 inch long, oval with a rounded apex. The flowers are small, with five petals. The fruit is the size of an olive, each one is surrounded by a peel, and contains one (occasionally two or three) small seeds.

The arganeraie forests now cover about 828,000 ha and are designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Their area has shrunk by about 50% over the last 100 years due to charcoal-making, grazing, and increasingly intensive cultivation.
For centuries, women in Southern Morocco; gathered together in cooperatives, have been passing down the traditional methods of extracting Argan Oil: How to gather and dry the fruit, crush the nuts, roast and grind the kernels, and finally knead the paste to extract the oil. It takes about 100 Kg of ripe fruit and over 10 hours of manual work to produce only 1 liter of this Unique oil: The most expensive in the world!!
For Cosmetic uses:
Cosmetic Argan oil hydrates and helps sooth your skin, leaving it refreshed and balanced while diminishing wrinkles .The secret of this oil is based on its richness in essential fatty acids oleic and lineoic acids (47%) as well as in vitamin E (60-90mg/1OOg) .
Its high level in vitamin E and carotene enriches your skin and protects its elasticity. It removes wrinkles, brown spots and stretch marks. It is good for broken nails, sunburn, and can also be used  as a moisturizer (apply on face, around eyes or just on wet skin after a bath and leave overnight. Argan is light and easily absorbed).
Its anti-inflammation properties help eliminate painful rheumatic joints, aching muscles, sports injuries.
Argan Oil can also be used for:
-Massage therapy: Gently mas­sage the area in pain .keep doing it until completely absorbed by skin.
-Scalp problems: Against psoriasis and hair loss; Argan nourishes dry and damaged hair and stimulates new growth: Just apply to the root and scalp, leave on for 30 minutes, then shampoo as usual. It provides a soft, soothing and velvety feeling.
-Tanning: Apply on your body 15 minutes before tanning. The oil speeds up the tanning process. Avoid using it on face and expose it to sun between 12:00 to 15:00.
For Nutritive uses
Its richness in fatty unsaturated acids and its high level of antioxidants gives this oil the ability to reduce the cholesterol level and the triglycerides. It's highly recommended to people who want to have a balanced and healthy nutrition and who are trying to lower their high blood pressure.
*Argan oil has double the amount of Vitamin E than Olive oil.
Argan oil can be used in:
-Salad dressings and omelettes.
-Vegetarian dishes.
-Marinades for beef, lamb, or seafood.
-A mixture with honey on bread and crepes.

-Dipping oil instead of butter or Olive oil.