Argan Oil History

BENEFITS & HISTORY OF ARGAN OIL

“In 1867 the first Moroccan delegation participated in the international fair in Paris. They brought with them their exquisite products, most importantly the argan nuts which caused a sensation…”

The Argan tree (Argania Spinosa) is one of the few still living tree species from the tertiary era (over 65 million years ago) and can be found only in Southwestern Morocco. This holy, wild tree grows from 7 to 10 metres high and is considered a true Moroccan miracle due to its extraordinary characteristics. It does not fear drought and can withstand high temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius. An Argan tree will live from 150 to 200 years – and if it dies it can remain dormant and then revive again in 7 years. Due to its strong root system, Argan trees are highly effective in preventing erosion, thereby preserving fertility of the soil and limiting the advance of the desert.

Argan oil is extracted from the fruits through cold-pressing and is considered a real “liquid gold” that possesses a thousand health benefits. Historically, Phoenicians were involved in the trading of the Moroccan Argan oil. The Argan tree was first mentioned in letters and international trade documents written by a well-known Egyptian doctor, Ali Ibn Radouane, back in the 11th century. This was at a time when trade of medical products had already spread around the world. Doctor Ibn Radouane specifically mentioned the treatment of the ears and stomach with the Argan oil, which was brought to Egypt from the far western Maghreb region in North Africa. Maghreb is located between the high ranges of the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.

In the 18th century during the reign of Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah the French diplomat De Chenier dedicated enormous attention to the Argan tree in his reports. Thomas Barkely, an American diplomat whom U.S. President George Washington had sent on a mission to conclude a peace treaty between the two countries, reported with great interest on the Argan tree in 1786. Then in 1867 the first Moroccan delegation participated in the international fair in Paris. They brought with them their exquisite products, most importantly the Argan nuts which caused a sensation among the fair’s attendees.

In 1998, UNESCO added the Argan tree to the World Heritage list and in 2001 home institutions and foreign partners (among them Terre et Humanisme) organised the first festival dedicated to the Argan tree. Many important decisions were reached during the festival, such as long term development of the underdeveloped Berber regions, protection of the environment, and preservation of the Argan tree itself.

Morocco’s Berbers use Argan oil in their daily diets – it is served for breakfast together with home baked bread – pieces are dipped into Argan oil and honey. A traditional Moroccan dish, Amlou sweet, is considered a real delicacy. It is composed of Argan oil mixed with honey and almonds and gives energy and strength, and is also known as an aphrodisiac. In home cooking as well as in exquisite restaurants Argan oil is added to steamed, roasted, or grilled foods which are prepared in this way to enhance flavour and provide several additional vitamins.

Argan oil is also used in traditional medicine and in the traditional Berber pharmacy. The noble and rich Argan oil is intended for everyday use – for internal as well as external treatment. It is used also on babies skin to protect against the elements and chafing. Body oiling is also an ancient Indian Ayurvedic medical treatment, providing energy to the body and enhancing one’s well-being.

A massage using Argan oil helps one lose weight and improves the firmness of the skin, plus it relaxes the spine. Argan oil is easily absorbed into the skin, leaving no greasy marks. It is also one of the most important oils for making the skin look younger and is used also for the treatment of various skin diseases.

Argan Oil has strong anti-oxidant properties due to it’s high Vitamin E content – twice as much as in olive oil. Vitamin E is important for the development and maintenance of nerve functions and the muscle systems. Argan oil contains more than 80% mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have beneficial effects on rheumatic conditions and cardiovascular diseases. They also neutralise free radicals, protect connective tissues, stimulate oxygen in the body, improve brain capacity, and have a beneficial influence on the liver and digestion.  Studies have shown that 16 g (2 table spoons) of Argan oil satisfies the body’s daily needs for essential linoleic acid, and that the high content of linoleic acid in Argan Oil helps to regulate the blood levels of cholesterol.

1 litre of Argan oil is obtained from approximately 40 kg of fruit which involves 16 hours of manual labor. Since the Argan nut shells are very hard, the Berber women still crack them manually using stones. The Argan nut contains up to three kernels. Fresh kernels are cold pressed to obtain the nutritious and highly recommended argan oil.

Uses of argan oil in nutrition:
• Argan oil is added to steamed, roasted, or grilled dishes
• A few drops will suffice for meat or fish
• The combination of Argan oil and lemon juice makes an ideal salad dressing

Uses of Argan oil in face and body care:
• A gentle evening massage of the face with circular movements is recommended for all types of skin. If you have very dry skin, also use the oil in the morning.
• If you have dry, brittle, dull looking hair, apply the oil over the entire scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes or overnight and then wash it off with a mild shampoo. Your hair will become shiny and strong.
• If you have brittle nails, it is recommended that the oil treatment be used once a week. Soak your hands in a mixture composed of 50% Argan oil and 50% lemon juice for 15 minutes.
• You can also apply Argan oil to chapped lips, massaging them gently (one lip against the other).
• Apply the Argan oil to your body after bathing or showering through a gentle massage. This will nourish and moisturise your skin and improve its firmness and elasticity, making it velvety.
• For exfoliation (removal of dead corneous cells form the skin), use a mixture of an equal part of Argan oil and salt from the Dead Sea.

Berber cold-pressed extra virgin Argan Oil is well known worldwide as a free-trade healthy oil from a biologically pure region. Through the endeavours of the Berber Moroccan women and many Moroccan and international organizations numerous Argan cooperatives and associations have been founded and thus the Berber women are becoming increasingly more independent. These associations are also involved in the development of educational centres. The project deserves all our support, as it is aimed at preserving as many areas overgrown with argan trees as possible, thus also preserving the green belt at the gateway of the desert.

ARGAN OIL COMPOSITION

Fatty acids
Unsaturated fatty acids:        %
Palmitic acid                         14
Stearic acid                           5

Polyunsaturated fatty acids:   %
Linoleic acid                         37
Alpha-linolenic acid          < 0.6

Monounsaturated fatty acids: %
Oleic acid                         43.5

Sterols                                 %
Schottenol                            48
Spinasterol                           42
Delta 7 Avenosterol                5
Sigmastra-8, 22-dien              5

Proportions                     mg/kg
Tocopherols                       720
Polyphenols                          60
Sterols                             3200
Triterpene alcohols           1800