The raw organic Argan Oil comes from the Argania Spinosa tree only found in the country of Morocco. The Argan tree as it is called is perfect for a harsh environment in Morocco, surviving heat, drought and poor soil.

It is little known outside Morocco, and many Moroccans themselves have never heard of it because it grows only in the south-west of the country – roughly between Essaouira and Agadir, in an area covering 700,000-800,000 hectares. But within the area where the Argan grows there are about 21 million trees which play a vital role in the food chain and the environment, though their numbers are declining.

The fruit has a green, fleshy exterior like an olive, but larger and rounder. Inside, there is a nut with an extremely hard shell, which in turn contains one, two or three almond-shaped kernels.

The raw organic Argan Oil comes from the nuts of the tree. Local Berber women crack each nut by hand and extract the seed and then grind it into the oil. It can take up to 20 hours to produce a liter of oil.

Your Skin and Your Digestion

Argan oil is slightly darker than olive oil, with a reddish tinge. It can be used for cooking and is claimed to have various medicinal properties, such as lowering cholesterol levels, stimulating circulation and strengthening the body’s natural defenses.

Some use the raw organic Argan Oil as an ingredient in a breakfast recipe called Amlou.

The residue from the kernels after oil extraction is a thick chocolate-colored paste called “amlou” which is sweetened and served as a dip for bread at breakfast time in Berber households. Its flavor is similar to that of peanut butter.

The crushed nuts can also be used on toast, or with vegetables, fish or salad. Eating the Argan Oil can help with digestion and in protecting the liver, heart, and gall bladder.

How about for the skin?

More Western cosmetic companies are starting to distribute this “liquid gold,” as it is often called. Liz Earle, who runs an organic skin-care line in England, uses Argan oil that she buys from two of the cooperatives in Essaouira in her facial products. “When I first found Argan oil, I brought it back to the U.K. to have it analyzed,” says Earle, who forages the globe for raw ingredients. “It was so remarkably high in vitamin E and had these very interesting phytosterols, which are good for scar tissue and so many other things” – including, she says, that hard-to-define problem of lackluster skin.

It contains saponins which soften the skin, helping with any acne and eczema, as well as protecting against UV rays and premature aging. The vitamin E found in the oil is rich in antioxidants, which protect against skin damage.

But what Earle likes most about the oil is that the production passes the sustainability test and by dealing with the cooperatives, it directly benefits the women who make it.

It can be difficult to get raw organic Argan Oil, but if you can get some, then your body will appreciate the oil’s countless benefits. It will replenish your skin and help you look younger, as well as give you a wonderful flavor for your food.

Author Bio: Ms.Herik has been researching facial and anti-aging products that are pure, simple, organic where possible and above all effective. She promotes a healthy lifestyle and looks for products that fit that lifestyle. For more on Argan Oil and how to get it see Getting The Natural Facelift or Raw Organic Oil Review.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: argan oil,organic oil,skin healthy oil,skin