Olive Oil - The Mediterranean Essential

An important part of the Mediterranean Diet is Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The olive tree originated in Asia, but has been cultivated for over 3,000 years in Mediterranean countries, where much of the olive crop is used to make olive oil. In this process, olives are pitted and ground to a thick pulp. The pulp is then pressed to remove the juices, which are placed in a centrifuge to separate the water from the oil. One tablespoon of olive oil contains 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, but the fat is mostly monounsaturated; it has a beneficial effect on the blood cholesterol levels and is easily digested. In those countries where olive oil is consumed extensively, such as Greece, Italy and Spain, there is low incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The mild vegetable mucilage in olive oil protects the body’s digestive tract. Ancient civilizations used olive oil to help heal wounds. Today, it is considered a good remedy for skin problems and an effective moisturizer:
Choose the highest quality olive oil. Use only olive oil that is labeled "extra virgin". This guarantees that the oil has been cold-pressed from freshly harvested olives and does not contain chemicals. Extra virgin olive oil (evoo) supplies the best flavor and oil that is golden-yellow in color is of higher quality than green.
Therapeutic effects: Taken internally, olive oil stimulates metabolism, promotes digestion and lubricates mucous membranes. It can also be applied externally to treat dry skin.
Components: Olive oil contains 77 percent monounsaturated fatty acids, 14 percent saturated fatty acids and 9 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids, plus vegetable mucilage and vitamin E.
Help for the digestive tract: Take 1 tbsp. of olive oil mixed with lemon juice on an empty stomach or try an enema made from 5 ounces of olive oil in 20 ounces of boiling water cooled to lukewarm.
The antioxidant benefit: The vitamin E in olive oil is an antioxidant. In addition, monounsaturated fatty acids are less easily damaged by oxygen than other types of fat. They are, therefore, less likely to produce free radicals which damage cell membranes and contribute to several diseases.
Olive oil can build strong fingernails and soften cuticles. Before bed, soak your nails in a mixture of lukewarm olive oil and lemon juice. Put on soft cloth gloves and let the oil penetrate overnight. Your nails will gradually become more resistant to breaking and chipping.
It is also used for cardiovascular diseases, high blood cholesterol, earaches, constipation, stomach upset, dry skin and stretch marks.
Applications: To lower blood cholesterol levels, use olive oil in place of butter or other vegetable oils in cooking, in preparing dressings for salads or vegetables and in making sandwiches. The monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels without affecting HDL (good) cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
To treat ear complaints: Stopped-up ears can be helped by putting a few drops of lukewarm olive oil in the affected ear. Lie for 5 minutes on the opposite side, then turn over, so that the olive oil can flow out again. (Do not put any liquid in your ear if you think that you may have a perforated eardrum) For earaches, soak a cotton pad in olive oil, then add 5 drops of lavender oil. Place it loosely in your outer ear until the pain abates.
To prevent hair loss, massage the scalp with olive oil every evening for eight days. Let it work overnight and wash it out in the morning.
To moisturize skin, apply to dry spots or stretch marks.
Having been brought up by a Sicilian mother, I remember buying a gallon of extra virgin olive oil when it was on sale. Mom used only extra-virgin olive oil and apple-cider vinegar in our salads with red onions, tomatoes, celery and a sprinkling of oregano. Neither of my parents showed signs of wrinkling in the face - even in their 70s and 80s. I never cook without the best olive oil and red wine. People say that the lack of wrinkles as I turn 70, is due to genetics, and that may be true, but smoking will cancel out the genetics and the healthy eating, leaving you looking wrinkled and your skin lacking collagen. The best you can do is to shop right, and have the best ingredients on hand whenever you decide to cook.