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SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
The Mystery of Argan Oil By Bentzy Weingot
W
hen speaking with Mustapha and Carlotta El Khorchi their faces glow as they talk with passion and pride about Morocco and the argan tree. The El Khorchi family from Agadir has been in the argan oil industry for multiple generations. In the 1940s Ibrahim El Khorchi was the largest food distributor in all of Morocco. He brought sustenance to entire cities in Southern Morocco. In 2016 Mustapha and his wife continue in the footsteps of their ancestry with pride. They established LeonGolden in 1999. LeonGolden is a laboratory in Agadir where they manufacture pure argan oil. It is the largest lab in southern Morocco that produces 100% pure, organic, and FDA approved argan oil. They own the land where the trees grow and operate the entire process from start to finish. Mustapha has begun his mission of educating people about culinary argan oil and bringing it to America in its purest form. The oil they produce is for culinary and cosmetic use. Mustapha consumes a tablespoon of argan oil in the morning and
evening on a daily basis. So what’s so special and what is the secret of this oil? To them, it’s not just another tree. It’s a concept. It’s a source of life, healing, and livelihood. In Morocco people give this tree a lot of respect. The tree provides jobs for 10% of the population in southwest Morocco. It is called the tree of life and its oil is referred to as liquid gold. How does the tree of life grow in the desert climate? What is so unique about this tree and its oil? Is there any mention of this tree in the Torah? When was this oil discovered? You might recognize the name of the argan tree from the current trend in cosmetics. Argan oil is quite popular these days in skin and hair care products, but this is nothing new. Phoenicians in as early as 1550 B.C. have recorded the use of argan oil by locals to heal and beautify their bodies. In 1510 African explorer Leo Africanus came across the argan oil when he was traveling across Morocco. From there, the oil entered Europe where only the rich and wealthy class had access to this expensive,
rare and exotic oil. Today, even after 3,500 years, the Berber women of southern Morocco are known for their exotic beauty. And their secret is applying this precious golden oil regularly to their faces, nails, hair and body. Their legendary beauty attracted scientists to the “rare oil” that these women have used as a cosmetic for centuries. Testing this oil, scientists discovered that it is full of rich antioxidants, rejuvenating vitamin E and other agents that add glow, youth and beauty to hair and nails. In Megillas Esther it mentions that when the woman would get prepared to see the king they spent six months receiving cosmetic treatment to beautify themselves. It mentions they would use oils. In all likelihood, some of those may have been argan oil. The words “eitz shemen” is mentioned four times in Tanach. Many people believe the words are referring to the olive tree. However, in Nechemiah when the Navi is telling the people what type of wood to take for Sukkos, the Navi tells the people to take “eitz zayis”
and “eitz shemen.” We see clearly from there that eitz shemen is something different than from the olive tree. In Melachim, Shlomo Hamelech commanded that the keruvim and the doors of the Beis Hamikdash shall be built from “eitz shemen.” The argan flower is called the perfect flower because it has both male and female organs, also known as a hermaphrodite. Chazal tell us that the keruvim contained the faces of a boy and a girl. Maybe the keruvim were created specifically from the argan tree for this reason. LeonGolden’s edible and virgin argan oil is carefully selected from kernels of the argan tree and then roasted. The oil is copper-colored and presents a slight hazelnut taste. Due to its intensive aroma and exquisite exotic flavor, this oil is especially suitable for all dishes including salads, meats, fish, and grilled vegetables. There are many reasons the tree is referred to as the tree of life. It is interesting to note that in southwest Morocco cancer does not exist. The people in southwest Morocco accredit that to the argan tree. The shade of this
special tree provides shade which enables other plants to grow. The tree receives its nourishment in a fascinating manner. The desert does not provide enough rainfall for the tree. The roots can grow up to 210 feet into the core of the earth to get its water. Try to imagine that. The roots act as an elevator of water for other vegetation. Animals and birds thrive from the water elevator of this wonder tree. Daily consumption of argan oil carries multiple health benefits for the human body. The oil assists in preventing cardiac illnesses and cancers, increases the strength of the immune system, helps your liver and digestive process, and also is an anti-inflammatory. The oil contains many necessary antioxidants along with Omega 3, Omega 6 fatty acids, and vitamin E. The benefits are 80% more than olive oil. It surely makes sense now why it is called the tree of life.
For more information on argan oil, please visit www.leongoldenarganoil.com or email ben zion@leongoldenarganoil.com.