Organic Argan Oil – Benefits of Organic Argan Oil

Organic Argan Oil

Organic Argan oil is a natural plant product and hence totally unadulterated. It is also known as Argane oil and produced from the shells of nuts on the wild growing Argan trees (argania spinosa) that have many medicinal properties. The trees are a peculiarity of the landscape of southwestern Morocco and are not found anywhere else. The oil has high content of antioxidants such as tocopherols (vitamin E), phenolics and carotenes. Apart from these it also has a constituent that acts as a skin moisturizer and is called Squalene. The other constituents of Organic Argan oil are vitamin A, omega 6 and omega 9 that ensure a healthy supply of antioxidants to the human body. The antioxidants are highly beneficial as a protection against the sun’s UV rays that are known to cause skin cancer and other types of skin deformities such as hardening of the skin.

The list of health-enhancing elements contained in the oil is not over yet. Special organic compounds in the form of sterols in high quantities add to the medicinal power of the oil as they are known to be effective in bringing down cholesterol levels. The sterols found in the oil are schottenol 45 percent and spinasterol 37 percent. Also present are some good fatty acids that aid in cellular repair. Let’s look more closely at the special fruit of the Argan. The Argan nut is 2-3 cm in length and 1-3 cm thick. The kernel is covered by a bitter tasting pulp and cradles from one to three seeds that are the source of oil. Even though the nut is hard yet it can be cracked open with bare hands. The maturity period of the Argan fruit is around 13 months and it can generally be harvested in the month of July.

Being organic in nature, Argan oil is beneficial to the whole body. The cell membranes in the human body are vulnerable to the oxidizing properties of the free radicals, which can cause the delicate membrane to rupture and lead to cell destruction. But the antioxidants contained in the oil nullify the effects of free radicals. The main causes for occurrence of free radicals are harmful UV rays of the sun, pesticides and vehicular and industrial pollution, physiological respiratory processes and inhaling tobacco smoke.

The term organic also implies that the Argan oil is not ever treated with chemicals of any kind. Even the livestock such as camels and goats feed on the leaves and fruits of the Argan tree. The local Berber community women of Morocco are dependent upon the Argan oil for their livelihood. They handpick the fruit, dry it to remove the pulp and extract almonds which are then roasted slightly to obtain culinary oil from the seeds. Larger oil press help extract oil for commercial use, which is then decanted and filtered to give pure Argan oil without any additives. The pressure of ever growing population can be seen on the existing Argan trees that produce the organic Argan oil. Hence the UNESCO has designated the Argan forest area as biosphere reserve.

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