The Argan tree which grows in Southern Morocco produces a super oil with cosmetic, medicinal and nutritional properties

Argan oil is the nut oil of the Argan tree, which grows in south west Morocco and is currently endangered and under UNESCO protection. The Egyptian botanist and physicist Ibn Al Baytar first documented its health properties in the 13th century and nowadays it is widely used by the local population for cooking and to soothe dry skin, acne, chicken pox and to prevent stretch marks. According to Ruth Hajioff, an expert on argan and owner of Wild Wood Groves, an ethical trade production centre, it has numerous cosmetic and medicinal properties:

• It has twice as much vitamin E as olive oil and is rich in anti-oxidants, which help neutralise free radicals and prevent skin damage.
• It is 80% unsaturated and contains eight essential fatty acids including Omega 6, which can’t be produced by the body. It helps prevent loss of moisture from the skin, nose, lungs, digestive system and brain. EFAs also help the formation of prostaglandins, some of which reduce pain and swelling and others improve circulation and lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
• It contains rare plant sterols, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can help conditions such as arthritis.
• It contains saponins, which soften the skin and ease acne and eczema and it restores the skin’s water lipid layer, helping to minimise wrinkles.
• It can help protect the heart, liver and gall bladder.
• It aids digestion by increasing the amount of peptin in digestive fluids.
• It’s reputed to be an aphrodisiac.

How is it made?

The oil comes from the nuts of the tree, which are cracked by hand and the seed extracted and ground into a paste/oil. It is traditionally made by local Berber women who work in cooperatives and it can take 10 -12 hours to produce one litre of oil.

Getting the benefits:

Eat it – Argan oil, crushed almonds and honey is a traditional south Moroccan breakfast recipe known as Amlou. It tastes a bit like peanut butter and is delicious with toast or as a dip for bread. The oil itself tastes great with vegetables, salad, fish and meat dishes, couscous and porridge.

On your skin – locals use it to help maintain younger looking skin and softer hair. Argan products are widely sold online and are often mixed with essential oils such as lavender or rose. Try rubbing the oil into your hair and rinsing out after half an hour for a deep conditioning treatment or rub a small amount into your skin and nails to soften and strengthen them.

Where to buy it:

You can buy Argan oil and beauty products online from Wildwood Groves or via their stall at Borough Market in London on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month.

The Argania Company of Paris

Liz Earle Cosmetics

Locally – the oil is widely sold in the souks of Essaouira but check for authenticity as it may be diluted with cheaper oils.

Resources

The Argan Foundation

To see the Argan tree visit Kew Gardens in London.