Argan

Argania spinosa · Sapodilla family (Sapotaceae)

Hi, I'm Argan! I grow in Morocco, and goats love to climb me!

Argan
Image: MPF · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

What does it help with?

  • Heart & blood vessels

    Eating argan oil may help keep blood fats healthy. Scientists think so, but the studies are small.

    🟡 Scientists think so

  • Skin

    Many people put argan oil on dry skin and hair. Scientists are still studying how much it helps.

    🟠 Still being studied

  • Vitamins & good food

    In Morocco, people dip bread in argan oil and mix it with almonds and honey to make amlou.

    🔵 Grandma's wisdom

What do the colored dots mean?
  • 🟢 Scientists are sure Strong evidence (several good human trials)
  • 🟡 Scientists think so Some evidence (small human studies)
  • 🟠 Still being studied Early evidence (lab or animal studies only)
  • 🔵 Grandma's wisdom Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed)

How we grade evidence

Careful if…

For kids OK in normal food Pills, powders & oils: ask a grown-up first

A little culinary argan oil on bread is a tasty family food. Cosmetic argan oil is for skin and hair, not for eating. Kids with nut allergies should ask a doctor first.

Natural does not always mean safe. Always ask a grown-up before trying something new, and a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Try the safety check →

What is it?

The argan tree is a tough, thorny tree that grows mainly in south-west Morocco. It can live through long, dry summers.

Inside its fruit there is a hard nut with small kernels. People crack the nuts by hand and press the kernels to make argan oil. Some oil is for food, and some is for skin and hair.

How people use it

In the kitchen

  • Drizzled on bread, couscous and salads.
  • Mixed with almonds and honey to make amlou.

Traditional uses

🔵 Grandma's wisdom — not proven by science

  • Rubbed on skin, hair and nails in Berber (Amazigh) families.

On skin & body

  • In creams, shampoos and hair oils around the world.

Home & garden

  • Argan trees protect the soil from the desert.

Fun facts

  1. In Morocco, goats climb high into argan trees to eat the fruit!

  2. Argan trees grow almost only in Morocco. The argan forest is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

  3. Cracking argan nuts by hand is hard work, often done by women's cooperatives.

Grow it yourself

  • Tricky
  • Lots of sun
  • A little water
  • Needs a garden
  • Many years before the first fruits
  1. Argan seeds are slow to wake up. Soak one in water for a few days.
  2. Plant it in sandy soil in a hot, sunny place.
  3. Water very little. Argan hates wet feet!

💡 Argan trees grow very slowly and prefer a warm, dry climate like south-west Morocco.

Quiz time!

Answer 3 questions. Get 2 right to win this plant’s badge for your garden!

  1. Which animals are famous for climbing argan trees?

  2. Where do argan trees mainly grow?

  3. What is amlou made of?

Your plant card

Print it, cut it out and collect them all!

Argan

Argania spinosa

Superpowers
Heart & blood vessels Skin Vitamins & good food
Growing
⭐⭐⭐

🤩 In Morocco, goats climb high into argan trees to eat the fruit!

supplementsmorocco.com

For grown-ups: science, amounts & safety

Tap to open

General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal supplement — especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, before surgery, or if you take medicines. Medical disclaimer

What the research says

Use Evidence Details
Heart & blood vessels 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) A meta-analysis of 5 randomised trials (292 participants) found that dietary argan oil lowered total cholesterol A kind of fat in the blood. Too much can block blood tubes., LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raised HDL cholesterol; larger trials on cardiovascular outcomes are needed[1].
Skin 🟠 Early evidence (lab or animal studies only) Reviews describe argan oil as hydrating the skin and possibly soothing conditions like eczema and acne, but its mechanisms are not fully understood and strong clinical trials are lacking[2].
Vitamins & good food 🔵 Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed) Culinary argan oil is a traditional food of south-west Morocco, used with bread and in amlou; reviews highlight its nutritional properties[2].

Names & identifiers

Scientific name
Argania spinosa
Also called
Argan tree, Argan oil
Wikidata
Q379746

Sources

  1. The impact of argan oil on plasma lipids in humans: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Phytotherapy Research · 2018 · Research review · PubMed
  2. The Importance of Argan Oil in Medicine and Cosmetology Nutrients · 2024 · Research review · PubMed

✅ Reviewed by sm_owner on September 26, 2026.

Last updated September 25, 2026. How we write and check our pages

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