A Moroccan woman shows a flacon of Argan...

SMIMMOU, MOROCCO: A Moroccan woman shows a flacon of Argan oil for cosmetic use, as her colleagues crush Argan tree (Argania spinosa) nuts 18 June 2007 in Smimmou, near Essaouira, to make Argan oil. The Argan tree is unknown for many people since it grows only in the South Western part of Morocco, in an area covering 700,000-800,000 hectares. The argan tree produces nuts from which is extracted a very nutritious oil. The remaining is used to feed the cattle and nuts shells for heating. For centuries, Berber women of this region have produced argan oil which was used for their consumption and traditional Moroccan medicine. People abroad are more and more interested in this oil either for its cosmetic and nutritional properties. AFP PHOTO / ABDELHAK SENNA (Photo credit should read ABDELHAK SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)