The Argan Tree (Argania spinosa)

The Argan-Tree

The Argan Tree (Argania spinosa) is over 20 Million years old and once used to grow in the in wide regions of North Africa and Southern Europe. Today there are only 20 Million trees left, which grow endemically in southern Morocco. The Argan-Tree roots can reach up to 30 meters deep in the soil, hence its great ability to cope with extremely dry seasons and drought. The Argan fruits grow on thorny branches and have one or two almond-shaped kernels. In its aim at protecting the Argan Tree, UNESCO has declared the Argan Region as a Biosphere reserve. Nevertheless, the tree is still being cut down for cultivation and dwelling purposes.

The Amazigh population lacks a viable alternative. Local government attempted to improve their standard of living through women´s co-operatives. Unfortunately many of them are run in an autocratic way and are far from the ideals for which they were originally created, i.e. to help the Amazigh women.

The Argan oil: golden liquid of the Amazigh (Berber tribe)

The Amazigh believe that Argan oil performs miracles and remains a universal remedy and source of ever increasing youth. The Argan oil is marketed at international level under two forms:

According to the latest research at the Canadian University of Sherbrook, Argan oil can help protect the body from sclerosis and cancer. The claim was supported by many others, including the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, which came to the same conclusion.