The Mediterranean Association Insertion-Human and Social Development

Moroccan Argan oil

The Gold that grows on Trees

Argan oil is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree that
is endemic to Morocco. In Morocco, argan oil is used to dip bread in at breakfast or to
drizzle on couscous or pasta. World-wide, it is gaining a reputation both as an
ingredient in high-end, personal-care products and as a heart-healthy gourmet
product.

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The Area in Morocco where Argan plant is naturally and

biologically grows:

Argan Oil:

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There are dozens of outposts of argan oil cooperatives, where an all-female workforce
manually cracks open kernels and processes the oil. First, the husks are dried,
removed, and used as animal feed. Using two stones, workers remove a small
almond-shaped seed that contains up to 60 percent oil. The shells are ground and
used as natural exfoliates and in pottery, and the seeds are either cold-pressed,
producing a light oil for cosmetic use, or toasted and processed into culinary oil. The
latter is often found in a tasty spread called amlou, an addictive almond butter spiked
with honey and argan oil. More than one person referred to it as Moroccos answer
to Nutella.

Like many of the other collectives in these parts, the Marjana Cooperative near
Ounagha leads visitors through the production process. A staff of 50 workers, split
over two shifts, processes hundreds kilos of argan kernels each day; at intervals
throughout the shift, the workers take part in each step of the process, since each is

The Mediterranean Association Insertion-Human and Social Development

physically demanding in its own way. According to the UK-based company Arganic, it
takes 30 kilograms of argan fruit and 15 hours of labor to make one liter oil.

While Berber women have long had a hand in producing argan oil on a small scale, it
wasnt until the late 1990s that Rabat-based chemistry professor and activist Zoubida
Charrouf helped to revolutionize the entire argan industry in Morocco by establishing
the first female-only collective, where women were paid fair wages for their work.
Uses of Argan Oil:

Culinary uses:
Culinary argan oil (argan food oil) is used for dipping bread, on couscous, salads and similar
uses. Amlou, a thick brown paste with a consistency similar to peanut butter, is produced by
grinding roasted almond and argan oil using stones, mixed with honey and is used locally as a
bread dip.

The Mediterranean Association Insertion-Human and Social Development

Various claims about the beneficial effects on health due to the consumption of argan oil have
been made. Researchers have concluded that daily consumption of argan oil is "highly likely" to
be one factor that helps prevent various cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.
The results of a nutritional intervention study, in which volunteers consumed either argan oil or
animal fats (butter) in their diet, were published in 2005. The results showed thatas with olive
oil and some other vegetable oilsregular dietary intake of argan oil instead of butter reduced
harmful cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

Cosmetic uses:
Moroccans traditionally use unroasted argan oil to treat skin diseases, and as a cosmetic oil for
skin and hair:
"In cosmetics, argan oil is advocated as moisturizing oil, against acne vulgaris and flaking of the
skin, as well as for "nourishing" the hair. This oil has also medicinal uses against rheumatism and
the healing of burns ... Externally, argan oil is used ... for hair as brilliantine, to fortify and ... in the
treatment of wrinkled or scaly dry skin.
Argan oil has become increasingly popular for cosmetic use. The number of personal-care
products on the US market with argan oil as an ingredient increased from just two in 2007 to over
100 by 2011. It is sometimes mixed with pomegranate seed oil due to its antioxidizing
benefits with vendors promoting this blend as an all-in-one serum both for skin and hair.
Argan oil is also sold without additives as a natural skincare and hair care product.