Olive oil, the benefits of this vegetable oil

Olive oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing olives. This oil is rich in Omega-9 and has many virtues for our health.

In this article, discover the benefits of olive oil, its composition and easy recipes to make at home. Focus on its virtues.

Olive oil identity card

• Common name of vegetable oil : Olive;
• Producer tree : olive tree;
• Botanical name : Olea europaea var. europea. Under the species “Olea europea”, one can essentially find 3 subspecies: var. europea (studied on this sheet) which is its cultivated form, then var. silvestris Brot. and var. africana which are a wild form;
• Botanical family : Oleaceae;
• Origin (country where the vegetable oil is grown): Spain, Greece, Italy, South of France, Tunisia;
• Part of the plant extracted : Fruit (pulp of the olives);
• Oxidative potential : Not very sensitive.

How much does olive oil cost?

The average price of olive oil is between 7 and 30 euros per litre.

Prices for olive oil vary widely depending on its quality and origin. Since 2015, the ravages linked to the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (in Italy) as well as the drought in Spain have driven up olive oil prices.

Where does olive oil come from?

Olive oil has a very ancient history. As proof, the olive tree is the first tree mentioned in the Bible.

This oil is so famous that we owe the etymology of oils to it. Indeed, the term « Olea », designating oil in general, originates from the word « olive » (the fruit). As for the geographical roots of the olive tree, botanists are not unanimous. Some think it originated in Asia after passing through Egypt, to finally conquer the entire Mediterranean region.

Be that as it may, the olive tree has since been successfully introduced into regions with the same type of climate: Southern California, South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and even Japan.

Organoleptic properties of olive oil

Botanical and organoleptic particularities are likely to change depending on production conditions (country, sunshine, organic production, etc.).

• Color: Clear, yellow or green color;
• Smell: Fruity;
• Texture: Fluid;
• Taste: Fruity.

The sweet and delicately fruity taste of one of the most famous olive oils: Aix-en-Provence olive oil.

Composition of olive oil

The composition of vegetable oil is strongly influenced by production conditions. To ensure its quality, it is recommended to select an extra virgin oil, obtained by cold pressing, ideally of biological origin.

To find out more about nutritional qualities (types of vitamins, concept of unsaturated, saturated and trans fatty acids) .

Fatty acid composition 

• Monounsaturated AG : 55 to 83% oleic (Omega9);
• Polyunsaturated FA: 3.5 to 21% linoleic and gamma-linolenic ( Omega6 ), 1% alpha linolenic (omega 3) Saturated FA : 7.5% to 20% palmitic, 2 to 12% stearic, 0.5% arachidic .

Other active constituents

• Vitamins: E, D, K, provitamin A;
• Other constituents: polyphenols, squalene, phytosterols, chlorophyll, selenium.

Ways to use olive oil

Olive oil applied to the skin 

Olive oil can be applied in different forms:

• anointing;
• massage ;
• local application;
• bath (for this use, the vegetable oil must be mixed with a surfactant such as: shower gel, liquid soap).

It is fully possible to combine olive oil with essential oils.

Nutritional use of olive oil

Orally

In this article, we distinguish the cutaneous and nutritional uses of vegetable oil according to the desired benefits.

Nevertheless, in certain cases, the absorption of a vegetable oil orally can influence the improvement of dermatological affections. Similarly, it is possible to wonder about the effectiveness of a vegetable oil used cutaneously on a physical pathology induced by a psycho-emotional or nervous imbalance.

Cosmetic aspect of olive oil

Olive oil owes its qualities to its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its richness in polyphenols. Countless studies have demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of polyphenols.

The main benefits of olive oil

On a cosmetic level (in cutaneous use), olive oil has an action: 

• Emollient;
• antioxidant;
• nourishing;
• regenerating;
• softening and soothing the skin;
• healing.

Uses and synergies of vegetable olive oil

Olive oil is very useful in case of:

• Acne  ;
• slight burn;
• colored hair ;
• slight scar;
• dry or irritated scalp;
• darter
• make-up removal;
• dryness (hands, body, hair, nails);
• eczema  ;
• crack;
• skin irritation;
• brittle nails, cuticles;
• rides ;
• psoriasis;
• stretch marks.

Cutaneous indications (skin, hair, nails).

Our practical tip

In cutaneous use, it is possible to make olive oil even more penetrating by combining it with a vegetable oil such as hazelnut, sesame or macadamia.

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Nutritional aspect of olive oil

Olive oil is one of the major elements of the Mediterranean diet, especially the Cretan diet.

The nutritional benefits of olive oil 

• Infection prevention;
• mild sedative;
• mild laxative;
• choleretic and cholagogue;
• digestive (especially in the stomach).

Other health benefits of olive oil

• Reduced risk of stroke;
• limits the rise in glucose levels after meals;
• increased formation of mitochondria;
• prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive disorders;
• prevention of breast cancer and digestive cancer;
• prevention of arteriosclerosis and hardening of the arteries.

What are the nutritional indications?

We develop here the nutritional use in the food form of olive oil. It is also possible to absorb this oil in the form of capsules (in herbal medicine) or even as a decoction or infusion. In this case, it is generally the leaves that are used (and not the fruits). There is also the glycerine macerate of buds.

Olive oil helps fight against:

• Arteriosclerosis (in prevention, in association with an adapted diet and medical monitoring);
• atherosclerosis (in prevention, in association with an adapted diet and medical monitoring);
• constipation;
• diabetes (in combination with an adapted diet and medical monitoring);
• digestion: digestive disorders (hyperacidity, dyspepsia);
• fatigue ;
• liver (hepatic and biliary disorders);
• digestive disorders.

Our health advice

In order to guarantee a good supply of quality fatty acids, it is recommended to replace butter with olive oil, especially for cooking. For the seasoning, you can mix in equal doses: olive oil and rapeseed oil.

Homemade recipes using olive oil

In this part, here are simple and quick recipes to make at home based on olive oil.

Homemade recipe for damaged hands

If you have damaged hands, here is a simple recipe that requires only 2 ingredients to take care of your hands and pamper them.

To do this, dip your hands in the following mixture:

• olive oil (2/3);
• lemon juice (1/3).

This reusable mix can be kept for 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe for brittle nails with olive oil

If your nails are fragile and brittle, we have the recipe you need to make them stronger.

For this recipe, apply the following mixture to the nails, using a brush:

• olive oil (50%);
• castor oil (50%).

This mixture can be stored away from heat and light. For the shelf life, refer to the expiry date indicated on the bottle.

Oleo-limestone liniment recipe for babies

To take care of baby, olive oil is your ally. This homemade recipe makes it possible to make a product to clean baby’s bottom.

To do this, mix the following ingredients in a 200 ml container:

• 100 ml of lime water (available in pharmacies);
• 100ml olive oil;
• Shake for 1 minute.

It is also possible to use this product as a make-up remover for the face.

You can keep your product for 6 months, in a dry place, away from heat and light.

Anti-eczema recipe with olive oil

This recipe based on olive oil and avocado has the action of making eczema disappear.

To do this, apply the following mixture to the parts of the body concerned:

• olive oil (50%);
• avocado oil (50%);

Keep your product away from heat and light. For the shelf life, refer to the expiry date indicated on the bottle.