Argan tree, Argania Spinosa, is native to Morocco where it grows wild, has provided the world argan oil in the form of a miracle. The argan oil is obtained from the nuts of the tree and it is found to have numerous benefits as a nutritive, cosmetic as well as a medicinal…..
Traditionally argan oil was extracted from the undigested pits of argan obtained from the waste matter of animals that ate them. These pits were crushed and ground and oil was obtained by pressing. Fortunately for us, the latest methods of the oil extraction includes use of machinery and solvents, i.e. press and solvent extraction.
Nutritionally argan oil is packed with Vitamin E (tocopherols), phenols, phenolic acids, squalene, carotene and fatty acids, 80% of which are unsaturated. These components are not just responsible for the nutritive properties of argan oil but also for its cosmetic and medicinal properties.
COSMETIC BENEFITS OF ARGAN OIL:
Cosmetically, argan oil is effective for the skin as well as the hair. It can treat all forms of skin disorders including dry skin, psoriasis, wrinkles, acne, eczema, chickenpox, crow’s feet, burns and many more. The vitamin E present in argan oil acts as a moisturizer for the skin and also for the hair. The carotene content of argan oil acts as antiaging, prevents damages that can be caused by the sun and also enahnces skin tone and glow of the skin. This is because carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. For the hair, carotene can help fragility along with treating split ends and adding shine.
The squalene content of argan oil (precursor of cholesterol) can help scars, useful in stretch marks, conditions the hair and reduces hair fall. The essential fatty acids in argan oil moisture the hair as well as the skin helping to treat dandruff and itching along with skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne and dry skin.
CULINARY BENEFITS OF ARGAN OIL:
The culinary benefits of argan oil include its ability to enhance taste of food giving it a delicious oriental feel as well as the medicinal properties. In culinary, argan oil is used as a dressing for all types of food providing a nutty smell. It has a number of medicinal properties some of which include the following:
- Can reduce blood cholesterol levels owing to its content of oleic acid and sterols. Research has shown that cholesterol levels were lowered in a month by the use of small portions of argan oil. Sterols can block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines itself, hence reducing cholesterol levels in the body. This effect was confirmed in a study conducted in Lipoproteins and Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Morocco where it was found that argan oil exerts an antiatherogenic effect. This effect is exerted by improvement in the lipid content of the body.
- Owing to its polyphenols and sterols content, argan oil is found to be useful in prostate cancer according to a study in 2006 International Society of Preventive Oncology. This is thought to be due to their antioxidant action.
- Prostaglandins are formed in the body from the fatty acids of argan oil which can increase immunity and help in inflammatory disorders like rheumatic diseases, arthritis and these can also help cardiovascular disorders. This effect on the cardiovascular system was confirmed by a study conducted in Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences and Sciences of Earth and the Universe – Algeria, where argan oil was found to help improve cardiovascular disease surrogate markers i.e. increase in antioxidants and vitamins while a decreasing cholesterol and LDL (low density lipoproteins).
- Vitamin E content acting as an antioxidant can modulate functions of the heart and sex organs. It also acts to prevent degeneration of muscles i.e. as an antiaging.
- Another physiological property is the improvement in digestion by increase in the levels of the enzyme pepsin.
- It also functions as an aphrodisiac.
- In experiments conducted argan oil was also found to prevent diabetes (chemically induced). This study was conducted in University Mohamed Ist, Morocco. This effect was believed to be brought about by the rich content of vitamin E, phenolic content and the unsaturated fatty acids.
Argan oil is a new miracle in the field of cosmetics, medicine and food providing a wide range of benefits. Used properly, argan oil can help to treat and prevent a number of disorders of the human body and can prove to be a useful therapeutic option for skin, hair and body conditions.
Boon Organics 