Argan oil is derived from argan tree fruit. They are slightly larger than olives, and in each fruit there is a bone with a very hard shell in 2-3 nucleoli, in shape they resemble almonds.
Getting argan oil
The fruits of the argan tree are collected and dried in the sun. Already dried fruits are cleaned of fibers and hand-crushed shells by stones. In order to get pure argan oil, the stones from the fruit are pre-fried over a small fire to a characteristic nutty flavor, and the argan oil is also prepared, but the bones are not fried, so that as a result, it practically had no smell. Argan oil is prepared by the first cold pressing method. It is crushed with a mechanical press, and after that it is filtered through a special paper. In order for argan oil to preserve all the useful properties, only fruits with intact skin are used for pomace.
Just a few years ago in Europe, about the oil of argan, very few people knew, but all because this oil is one of the most expensive plant products around the world, since more recently the Argan tree was under threat of extinction.
Application
If in the world this product has become popular not so long ago, in Morocco Berber women use essential oil argan for many centuries.
Argan oil has found its application in:
- Food Industry;
- therapeutic purposes;
- cosmetic industry.
Due to its composition, Argan oil is particularly popular in the production of face cosmetics, because it is a unique product with moisturizing, rejuvenating and restoring properties.
A cream with argan oil has won the hearts of women all over the world with their healing qualities that help in the treatment of sunburn, lichens, neurodermatitis and other various skin diseases.
Properties of the oil
Argan oil has a lot of unique properties:
- has an antioxidant effect (due to the high content of vitamin E and A);
- reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood (due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids);
- increases the content of pepsin in gastric juice and suppresses appetite;
- participates in the synthesis of prostaglandins;
- participates in the utilization of glucose and increases the production of insulin;
- stimulates the maturation of spermatozoa.
Cosmetics with argan oil create a filter that protects against the effects of UV rays.
This oil has analgesic, antifungal, larvicidal and antibacterial effect.
Thanks to the above features, argan oil is most often used in dermatocosmetology and medicine. Argan oil is used for hair restoration and its application helps to ensure the brilliance and density of even the most dull and lifeless hair. Shampoo with argan oil not only promotes hair protection, but also helps in the treatment of various skin diseases of the head.
With the help of argan oil, effective products for the care of brittle nails and medicines against fungal nail lesions are made. This essential oil is very suitable for
You can also use argan oil in cooking. For example, for frying or filling salads and other various dishes it is mixed with lemon juice, honey or yoghurt.
The increasing demand for argan oil every day has led to the fact that mankind has become more concerned about preserving the number of these trees and increased their planting, and UNESCO in 1999, the region of Morocco, in which these trees grow, declared a biosphere reserve.