What is argan oil?
Argan oil has been at the heart of the traditional Berber culture for hundreds of years. It is the product of the argan tree (argania spinosa), which is indigenous to the south west of the country. Found mainly between Essaouira and Agadir, in the Sous valley, the oil is extracted from ivory, almond shaped kernels found within the nut of the tree’s fleshy, green olive-like fruit. Traditionally, goats (who adore the fruit and eat it straight from the tree) harvested the fruit. The goats can’t digest the nuts, which would then pass through them, and were gathered by hand, cracked open and the seeds processed into oil. The argan tree plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance and the economic situation of the population. The argan forest consists of about 20 million trees and covers 800,000 hectares (1,976,000 acres). The tree grows wild in the arid desert soil and its roots grow deep (up to 30 metres) in search of water. This helps retain the soil, preventing erosion and li
Argan oil contains up to 80% unsaturated fatty acids and is also rich in vitamin E. Argan oil contains up to 80 times more anti-oxidants than olive oil. Research shows that it can regenerate damaged cells, help to fight infections, cool and soothe inflammations, stimulate blood circulation, lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cancer.
