Ruth Hajioff started her professional career as an acupuncturist and
Chinese herbalist. In 2000 she visited Morocco to study with a famed
herbalist, based in Agadir. It was he who introduced her to argan
oil and its amazing health giving properties.
Doing background research into the oil she found that the argan tree
falls under the protection of UNESCO, who have designated the trees
as a World Heritage site. The oil is harvested and pressed using
traditional methods by Berber tribeswomen and preserves an ages old
way of life which has all but disappeared in more developed areas.
As a result of the trip, Ruth made the life-changing decision to
pursue a new career, developing and selling argan in the UK and
Europe. Her goal was to promote the benefits of argan, both for good
health and as a delicious food. The key for Ruth was being able to
do all this whilst still remaining true to the conservation of the
argan tree and the lifestyle of the Berber tribespeople who make
their living from it.