Argan oil has two fundamental applications: one culinary and the other cosmetic.
Argan Oil for Cooking
The food argan oil, which is extracted from the roasted seeds of the fruit, is used above all to season bread, couscous, salads and all those recipes that need this trick; if it were widespread as much as in Morocco, in Italy, food argan oil would be the alter ego of extra virgin olive oil.
Argan oil also lends itself to the production of a kind of peanut butter called Amlou; it is a brown, dense paste with a sweet taste. It is produced by mixing argan oil with honey and toasted argan seed flour.
Argan Oil for Health
Some scientists have put forward the hypothesis that argan oil can be beneficial to the human body.
After some research, it seems that it is highly probable that: " daily consumption of argan oil may constitute a preventive factor against various types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and obesity ". ("Should the Amazigh Diet - Regular and Moderate Argan-Oil Consumption - Have a Beneficial Impact on Human Health?" - Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 50 (5): 473–7).
Argan Oil in Cosmetics
The Moroccan population traditionally uses argan oil obtained from roasted seeds for dermatological care and as a cosmetic oil for skin and hair.
In cosmetics, argan oil is used as a moisturizer, against youthful acne, flaking, and to nourish hair. It also has medicinal uses against rheumatism and promotes the healing of burns.
Some prefer it to brillantina, others to fortify the skin or to treat wrinkled, dry and scaly skin.
On the world market, argan oil has become increasingly popular. In the US, in just four years (2007-2011), the products based on this oil have increased by 600%.
Sometimes it is mixed with pomegranate seed oil to increase its antioxidant benefits.
Argan oil is also sold without additives, such as natural skincare for skin and hair care.
The growing popularity of argan oil has prompted the Moroccan government to plan an increase in its production, with the aim of increasing annually from around 2, 500 to 4, 000 tons of oil by the year 2020.
