Argan... Nature’s gift to Morocco

The nature has given Morocco many gifts, the Argan is one of them, a unique tree only existed in the southern region in Morocco, it’s the source of the Argan oil, a product with high benefices, not only for nutrition purposes but also for cosmetic and medical treatments, it’s really one of the wealth of the Moroccan civilization. Used byMoroccans for centuries now, and known in the world for only decades. 

This tree has existed in Morocco for millions of years, and it has a huge ability to resist drought and combat desertification, and it spreads over an area of thousands of hectares in several southern Moroccan provinces, including Essaouira, Agadir, Taroudant and Tiznitou, Ait Baamran region, Sidi Ifni and Chichaoua.

In 2005, the Argan tree and its practices for extracting Argan oil had been included in the list of UNESCO's Intangible Humanitarian World Heritage, and as we mention it before, there are two types of Argan oil, edible oil and cosmetic oil.

Argan oil contains a high percentage of fatty acids such as linoleic acid which helps the skin exposed to acne and reduces inflammation and increases the levels of skin hydration, and oleic acid that can improve the permeability of the skin and helps other components penetrates the skin more easily, it also contains omega-6 fatty acids and it's rich in vitamin A and vitamin E. However, it’s also rich in antioxidants. 

There a lot of benefits of Argan oil, especially for the skin, the face and the hair. It treats acne, skin inflammation, improves the appearance of the skin, reduces premature aging, treats feet problems, lip problems, nails problems, hair problems, irritation of the skin after shaving, reduces cholesterol and helps digestion. 

The Argan oil is usually extracted in the traditional way, by Berber local women, as we can see in these pictures.