Olive oil has been used for many purposes for six thousand years. It was used for religious rituals in Biblical times and by the Prophet Muhammad for hair oil. Many civilizations throughout the Middle East and Asia have known of its medicinal virtues.
Here’s a few ways of using olive oil that may be helpful today:
Here’s a few ways of using olive oil that may be helpful today:
- Taken internally, olive oil stimulates the metabolism; promotes digestion; relieves an upset stomach, flatulence or heartburn; and lubricates mucus membranes.
- It can be rubbed into the skin to treat dry skin.
- To relieve constipation a tablespoon of olive oil mixed with a little lemon juice will provide relief when taken on an empty stomach. It can also be taken as a lukewarm enema using 5 ounces of olive oil mixed with 20 ounces of boiling water which has been allowed to cool.
- Olive oil contains vitamin E which is an antioxidant.
- To strengthen brittle fingernails, soak the fingertips in a bowl of warm olive oil and lemon juice, put on soft cloth gloves and leave the gloves in place overnight. After several nights the nails should be much improved.
- The monounsaturated fatty acids in the oil will help lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, to lower your LDL, 15% of the daily calories need to come from monounsaturated fatty acids. Of course you have to avoid saturated fatty acids and trans fats at the same time.
- One Spanish study suggested that olive oil reduces the risk of colon cancer.
- Populations that eat olive oil are known to have a low risk of skin cancer.
- Unless you have a punctured ear drum, you can remove excessive ear wax by pouring a few drops of olive oil into the ear then lie on the opposite side. After 5 minutes, turn over and lie with the treated ear down on a paper towel so the wax and oil can run out.
- For ear aches, soak a cotton pad with olive oil and 5 drops of lavender oil. Place the pad in the outer ear (not inside the ear) until the pain passes.
- To treat hair loss, rub olive oil in the scalp before bedtime for eight successive nights, and leave it in place overnight. Wash the hair in the morning with a mild shampoo.
- For dry skin or stretch marks, massage olive oil into the skin daily.
Golden olive oil is a higher quality than the green variety. “Extra virgin” oil has been cold-pressed and is the type to use for therapeutic purposes.
*Note: The information in this article is not meant to treat or offer advice to be followed. For any medical treatment advice or concerns, visit your primary health care practitioner.
