The Amazing Health Benefits of Olive Oil

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The olive tree represents peace, glory and abundance.  It has been around for thousands of years. One of the oldest olive trees alive today is believed to be over three thousand years old and is in Greece.  The ancients revered the olive tree for its health giving properties.  Today, the modern world is rediscovering the myriad of uses for olive oil.  The general opinion is that cold pressed organic olive oil has the most health giving properties as they contain the highest levels of polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties together with powerful antioxidants that can promote heart health. Here are just a few of its most useful and maybe less known benefits.

Organic olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, which is considered one of the good fatty acids, an HDL which can protect against bad cholesterol.  It contains antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that can promote healthy digestion, help with the symptoms of ulcers, lower gallstone formation and help to balance fatty acids.

Cooking

Recently scientists have found that DHPEA-EDA an antioxidant found in olive oil can protect red blood cells from damage, and give protection from heart attacks and strokes.  Try and replace your usual cooking oil with olive oil and use it instead of butter. If you put olive oil in the fridge it will change into a state similar to butter and can be used for spreading.

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Stomach Complaints

Take a spoonful or two to treat an upset stomach, difficult digestion, or constipation or to reduce the body's absorption of alcohol from alcoholic beverages

Moisturising Skin

Olive oil contains rich amounts of Vitamin A ,E, minerals and antioxidants compatible with skin and containing high levels of collagen--skin's own natural age-defier. Use a few drops of oil on your face as a moisturizer, use it when removing makeup. When shaving Olive oil can provide a safe and natural lubricant for a close shave. Rub in an extra teaspoon after washing your body or face once finished.  Use as an inexpensive body oil. Massage a small amount of olive oil into skin whenever you need softening and moisturizing, add a few drops of olive oil to your bath.

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Facial

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Wet your face thoroughly; massage a couple of drops of olive oil into your skin.  Then massage your face with a teaspoon of sugar.  Once you have massaged all of your face use a wet cloth and gently wipe off.

Hair Repair

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Use a few drops to comb through your (dry) hair to solve flyaway hair or frizz.  Can also be used as a deep hair conditioner by massaging a few tablespoons into your scalp and hair.  Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap for half an hour (or longer if you like) before shampooing as usual.  Can also be used to make hair shiny, lustrous and silky.  It can also help treat dandruff.

Nails

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Warm a couple of tablespoons of oil and add a few drops of lemon juice and soak nails for 5 minutes to soften and condition nails and cuticles.  This can also be done to help strengthen nails.

Soothe a Sore Throat

Take 1 tablespoon to soothe a dry sore throat and a dry tickly cough.

Lip Balm

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Use as a lip balm for chapped lips by gently rubbing a few drops on your lips daily, or melt a ratio of 1:1 with some beeswax to make a long lasting lip balm.  (If you want a tinted lip balm you can even add a few shavings of your favourite lipstick to the mixture).

Shine Pots and Pans

Prevent streaking on stainless steel pots and pans.  Rub a drop or two of olive oil on a clean cloth to prevent streaks, corrosion and tarnish.

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Melted with some beeswax and poured into a small tin, it makes a great leather conditioner and wood polish, or use a few drops of oil with added citrus for a quick cleaning polish.

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Add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat’s food to help prevent hairballs, should also promote a shiny coat.