Argan

Scientific Name(s): Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels.
Common Name(s): Ardjane, Argan, Argane, Argania, Arganier, Moroccan ironwood

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 22, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Argan oil has traditionally been used for its dermatologic and hepatoprotective effects. Limited studies in animals have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. However, clinical trials are lacking to support any of these uses. Clinical trials have shown benefit in treatment of cardiovascular disease risk factors. The purified oil has been used in food and as a flavoring. The oil is also used for making hard, yellowish soap.

Dosing

Cardiovascular disease risk factors – 15 g/day of argan oil for up to 4 weeks has been used in clinical trials evaluating effects of dietary intake of the oil on surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease (eg, lipid profiles) in healthy subjects. Doses of 25 mL/day to 30 mL/day for 3 to 4 weeks have demonstrated antioxidant activity and improved cholesterol levels in randomized controlled trials.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Allergic hypersensitivity reactions, including pneumonitis, have been reported with argan oil and powder.

Toxicology

No data.

Scientific Family

• Sapotaceae

Botany

A. spinosa is a slow-growing, spiny tree that requires little care or cultivation, surviving in poor, arid soils. It is endemic in southwestern Morocco, where it grows over 320,000 square miles. The argan tree may be either shrubby or up to 10 m in height with a gnarled, black trunk and cracked bark. The dark green leaves are alternate, 2 to 4 cm long, simple, lanceolate, and spatulate at times, with a rounded apex. Spines occur at leaf axils. Inflorescences are in clusters in spring. The greenish flowers are very small and bell shaped, with 5 petals, 5 pubescent sepals slightly connate at the base, 5 stamens, 5 staminols, and 1 style. The argan fruit is a drupe that is round, ovoid, or conical in shape, greenish-gold in color, 2 to 4 cm long, and 1.5 to 3 cm wide. The fruit ripens throughout the year and by summer is black and dry and falls from the tree. Inside the fruit is a milky pulp covered by a thick peel and a hard-shelled seed (argan nut) that is approximately one-fourth of the fresh fruit weight. Argan nuts contain up to 3 almond-like, oil-rich, white kernels containing 30% to 55% argan oil, depending on the extraction method.Charrouf 1999, FAO 2011 A synonym is Argania sideroxylon Roem. & Schult.

History

Argan trees support indigenous populations economically, particularly in Morocco, providing an edible and marketable oil that provides up to 25% of a daily lipid diet and can be used as an ingredient in cosmetics.Charrouf 1999

While the nut is very bitter, the purified oil is as sweet as walnut oil and has been used in food and as a flavoring. The oil is also used for making hard, yellowish soap.FAO 2011

Argan oil and preparations have been used in traditional Moroccan medicine for centuries to cure skin diseases.Bellakhdar 1991 As a cosmetic, the oil is traditionally indicated to eliminate pimples, particularly juvenile acne and chicken pox pustules. It is also recommended to relieve dry skin and slow the appearance of wrinkles.Bellakhdar 1991, Charrouf 1999

Argan oil is typically admini...