Argan oil in the kitchen and as natural cosmetics – tips and applications
Argan oil is a healthy and popular oil for the cold kitchen and suitable as natural cosmetics. It comes to us derived from the argan nuts of the argan tree, which is endemic to Morocco. Find out everything you need to know about argan oil at a glance and its uses.
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is the cold-pressed oil from argan nut, also called argan almond. It has a very bright and transparent, yellowish color.
Depending on whether it is roasted or unroasted, it delivers a mild or strongly nutty aroma. We use the unroasted oil for cosmetic applications and the roasted oil for culinary purposes.
The argan tree is endemic to Morocco and local Berbers tend and care for the precious trees for centuries. The say that around 10-20 argan trees can feed a person – the trees are so productive and the oil extremely valuable.
Argan trees can live for several hundred years, have very deep roots and are robust. Their adaptation to the dry, hot and windy climate in central Morocco is, therefore, perfect.
They are most common in mountainous regions. Often enough, one can observe and photograph goats as they climb the trees. They snack on the fruit and leaves and are happy to take a risk.
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Is Argan oil healthy?
In Morocco, argan oil has a centuries-old tradition both as food and as natural cosmetics. People in this country use it in the kitchen to prepare salads and dips.
In some regions of Morocco, they associate the high lifespan of the population with the consumption of argan oil.
The oil is not as well studied biochemically as comparable oils such as olive oil, linseed oil or black cumin oil. But it is known that it is quite rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, the most important antioxidant in the cell membrane.
The high content of monounsaturated fatty acids (mainly oleic acid) helps regulate blood sugar, blood fat and cholesterol.
One can, therefore, describe Argan oil as a healthy oil for consumption. If you desire an intense aroma, I recommend the roasted oil version. The unroasted oil is recommended for chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases.
It is an enrichment for the kitchen – but because of the higher price compared to olive oil, everyone has to decide for themselves what suits best.
As natural cosmetics, we can also describe it as health-promoting, since the experience for external use is very long and very positive.
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Argan oil as natural cosmetics – absolutely unroasted
When roasting argan almonds, the process creates small amounts of substances that can become a problem with skin diseases and systemic infections.
Scientists and doctors refer to them as AGE’s (advanced glycation end-products), which form when you heat up carbohydrates and proteins together. With skin diseases, AGE’s can promote inflammation.
Therefore, I recommend the unroasted oil for maximum benefit for external use.
PURA D'OR Organic Moroccan Argan Oil (4oz) USDA Certified 100% Pure Cold Pressed Virgin
Applications of argan oil
Naturally, we can find the most important uses of argan oil in the kitchen (roasted or unroasted) and as natural cosmetics (unroasted). It is very popular due to its high content of anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
When used in the kitchen, it should be used cold. Theoretically, one could also heat it from a chemical point of view. But the aroma intensifies a lot and it is not known how heat-stable the oil really is.
In the cold kitchen, it is recommended as part of the salad dressing (with apple cider vinegar), for refining fried or boiled vegetables or for preparing dips.
Versatility is huge regarding the applications as natural cosmetics – both for the prevention and “beautification” of skin and hair as well as for relief from illnesses:
With blond hair, it is known that argan oil can provide a gloss effect. Simply take a few drops of oil into the fingers and smoothen it onto the already dry hair tips.
Starting from the ends of your hair, work your way to the middle. Olive oil is recommended for dark hair.
If the skin is dry and irritated, argan oil can be applied as a kind of treatment several times a day to affected skin areas. There it helps restore the skin’s barrier, texture and moisture.
You can use argan oil on its own or mixed with essential oil, or vegetable substances, thus, enhancing the antioxidant effect.
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Argan oil and essential oils – a good combination!
Combined with essential oils, the antioxidant power of argan oil can increase and points in a certain direction:
Mixed with lavender oil, it results in a soothing oil for the skin and mind. It acts refreshing with lemon oil and soothing with chamomile oil. And bewitching with rose oil (also as massage oil).
You can apply it to affected skin areas or the entire skin areas.
Thanks to the essential oils, new effects developed, thus, making the argan oil a more sought after carrier oil.
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Argan oil for eczema and psoriasis
The most important application of argan oil is for inflammatory skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis. It has a soothing effect and stimulates skin regeneration. It can be used alone or in combination with other substances.
In conjunction with unroasted hemp oil, various ways of reducing inflammation are used. Because hemp oil contains over 120 different cannabinoids and about 4% gamma-linolenic acid.
Mixed with black cumin oil, one can add oil with a gamma-linolenic acid content of 20%. This has already helped many users with eczema and psoriasis.
As an alternative to black cumin oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil have also proven their worth.
You can always work with a few drops of essential oils. Anti-inflammatory and soothing are chamomile, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint and frankincense.
The added vitamin E oil with a vitamin E content of 10-20% can also have a soothing effect.
When making a semi-solid cream, it’s great to use coconut oil to increase the consistency.
Many users take this opportunity to add the capsule contents of vitamin B complexes, curcumin, Reishi extract or green tea extract.
This is particularly welcome in acute inflammation. Please note that the cream will have a tendency to rub off and that you better cover it with a cloth or bandage.
Last but not least, let’s talk about product recommendations if you want to buy argan oil.
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Purchasing argan oil
If you want to buy argan oil, it is advisable to turn to a high-quality product to get the most beneficial effect. In supermarkets, argan oil can occasionally be purchased for about five dollars per vial – but here you get undoubtedly receive the quality you pay for – very poor.
With good organic argan oil, you should expect a purchase price of $ 10-20 per 100 ml. Since usually only a few drops are needed per application, a 100 ml bottle is economical and lasts for several months.
In the case of a good product, you must observe the following criteria in addition to the price:
1- Organic quality
2- Cold pressing
3- From Morocco
4- Engagement in social projects
5- Dark glass bottle
6- Best before date at least 6 months in the future
7- Unroasted when used cosmetically
8- No additives, preservatives or flavorings
PURA D’OR Organic Moroccan Argan Oil* is a good brand. Here, the highest quality meets a high-quality product and a transparent provider. If you don’t like argan oil, you can also opt for organic linseed oil, organic black cumin oil and organic hemp oil.
Quick summary
A little summary about Argan oil. It is the cold-pressed oil from the argan almond. The fruit grows on the Argan tree, native almost exclusively in Morocco. The trees can grow very old and spread and have deep roots.
You can use the oil roasted or unroasted in the kitchen, and it has an intense nutty aroma. In green salads, cooks often mix it with apple cider vinegar as a dressing.
You can use unroasted Argan oil externally for inflammatory skin diseases, eczema or dry and reddened skin. It has been used for this purpose for centuries and has proven itself.
Mixed with other carrier oils, such as essential oils and coconut oil, Argan oil changes the consistency and increases its wholesome effect on your body.
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