Benefits Of Argan Oil

Benefits Of Argan Oil

By:


THE ARGAN OIL

M. TALFONSO ALCALDEY ERESA WELL.

Pharmaceutical Technology Unit. Faculty of Pharmacy.

University of Barcelona.

Argan (Argania spinosa L., Fam. Sapotaceae) is a single wild tree in the world that was declared "Biosphere Reserve" by UNESCO in 1999. Is native to southwestern Morocco, bordering the Sahara, and is also present in the calcareous semi-desert lands of the Algerian region of Tindouf. The argan tree grows at altitudes below 800 m and dry climate, which resists well thanks to its deep roots. In times of severe drought, lost their leaves to prevent excessive perspiration and recovered with the first rains. The tree, which can reach 8 m in height, has small oblong leaves and yellow flowers. The fruit is round, ovoid or conical, greenish-yellow and the size of a walnut. When it starts to grow, in early June, the fruits are collected to extract oil from its seeds.

CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPOSITION

Argan oil has the following characteristics:

- A clear amber liquid, practically odorless, finely textured and non-greasy feel.

- Has a similar composition of sesame oil with 80% of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic acid (45%) and linoleic (35%) and essential fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) and phytosterols.

The unsaponifiable part, which represents 1% of the oil components, is very rich in antioxidants: the content of vitamins A and E is superior to olive oil. It also contains phenolic compounds, ferulic and syringic acids, and sterols as espinasterol eschotenol and not present in olive oil or other vegetable oils that have anti-cancer properties.

- It is very stable, allowing its preservation for at least two years without losing its qualities.

UTILIZATION

In medicine, Argan oil has an important role:

- Preventing cardiovascular disease: a) lipid-lowering action, thanks to its composition in polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. It has been found that individuals who consume virgin argan oil on a regular basis have lower levels of plasma LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein A peroxidase and individuals compared with nonusers7,8. B) Action antiatherogenic9as a result of the above property. c) Lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive rats s10.

- Action by sterols anticancer discussed previously.

- Other uses: to friction and joint rheumatism and as a strengthener (children, elderly and convalescent).

COSMETIC APPLICATIONS

Argan oil concentrates a large number of beneficial properties:

- Moisturizing and highly nutritious, providing softness and elasticity to the skin and hair. To do so is used alone or as a cosmetic ingredient for all skin types, especially dry skin and hair, battered and fragile, and stretch mark products.

THE MULTIPLES PROPERTIES OF ARGAN OIL MAKE IT A VERY INTERESTING INGREDIENT FOR USE IN COSMETIC CREAMS

- Protects skin from external aggressions: sun, wind, etc.
- Relieves itching and inflammation of atopic skin or exposed to sunlight.
- Repair dry and chapped hands and strengthens brittle nails.
- For its antioxidant, slows skin aging. For this reason it is used in formulas for mature skin.
- Improves the symptoms of acne vulgaris by a combination of phytosterols present in its composition11. This has been one of its main uses in traditional medicine in Morocco.
- Try other skin conditions such as burns and psoriasis because of its emollient properties and reepitelizante.
- Regulates sebum from the skin and scalp. Oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid (alpha and gamma) inhibit the enzyme 5-a-reductase type 1 and 212. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for the increased synthesis of fat in the sebaceous glands.
- By inhibiting the enzyme 5-a-reductase, is also beneficial in cases of androgenetic alopecia. Argan oil prevents dihydrotestosterone to its receptors is a membrane in keratinocytes of the hair bulb and hair cycles speed up manufacturing capacity limits by the hair follicles.

HOW TO APPLY IT:

For skin care and hair is recommended to extend the pure oil and wait 1 hour before washing. To strengthen nails, mixed with lemon juice and leave overnight applied.

Bibliography

1. http://4truffles.com/stories/ Retrieved on February 19, 2009.
2. http://www.freewebs.com/aitbaamrane/traditionsandculture.htm. Retrieved on February 19, 2009.
3. http://nickstricks.net/images/morocco/argan_tree.jpg. Retrieved on February 19, 2009.
4. http://www.purediva.net/images/argan-oil-seeds.jpg. Retrieved on February 19, 2009.
5. Dobrev H. Clinical and instrumental study of the Efficacy of a sebum control cream. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2007, 6 (2): 113-8.
6. S and J. Bouffechoux Pirnay The Benefits of argan oil. PCA 2008, n 203 (October-November): 50.
7. Drissi A, Girona J, Cherki M, Godard G, Derouiche A, The Messal M et al. Evidence of hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil derived from the argan tree (Argania spinosa). Clinical Nutrition. 2004, 23 (5) :1159-1166.
8. Berrougui H, Cloutier M, Isabelle M, Khalil A. Phenolic-extract from argan oil (Argania spinosaL.) Inhibits human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) Oxidation and Enhances cholesterol efflux from human THP-1 macrophages. Atherosclerosis. 2006, 184 (2) :389-396.
9. Cherki M, Derouiche A, Drissi A, El Messal M, Bamou Y, Idrissi-Ouadghiri A et al. Consumption of argan oil May Have an antiatherogenic effect by Improving Activities paraoxonase and antioxidant status: Intervention study in healthy men.Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. 2005, 15 (5) :352-360.
10. Hicham B, Alvarez de Sotomayor M, Perez-Guerrero C, Ettaib A, Hmamouchi M, Marhuenda E et al.Argan (Argania spinosa) oil lowers "Improves blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Br JNutr. 2004, 92 (6) :921-929.
11. Khallouki F, Younes C, Soulimani ROster T, Charrouf Z, et al Spiegelhalder B. Consumption of argan oil (Morocco) with STI unique profile of fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, sterols and phenolic compounds confer valuable cancer chemopreventive Should effects. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2003, 12 (1) :67-75
12.LT IangLS. iao Growth suppression of hamster flank Organs by topical application of gamma-linolenic and Other fatty acid inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase.J Invest Dermatol.1997, 109 (2) :152-7.

Lifelong learning in dermopharmacy

92 Of Vol 29 NO 1 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010

About the Author:
THE ARGAN OIL
Dale Candela Cosmetica Natural - Cosmtica Natural con Aceite de Argn



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