Unusual Uses of Olive Oil

For more than four thousand years, the olive tree has been a symbol of abundance, peace, and longevity. Gifted by a goddess, revered by ancient cultures, and protected by emperors, the olive tree and its precious fruit have played important roles in civilization.

Dubbed "liquid gold" by Homer, olive oil has been used for food, medicine, magic, beauty, and divine rituals. Baseball star Joe DiMaggio is even said to have soaked his bat in olive oil. Restore luster to your pearls, curb your cat's hair-ball problems, silence squeaky doors hinges, soothe your sore throat and dry lips . . . replace artery-clogging butter in your favorite dishes with olive oil.

A small bottle of natural olive oil makes a beautiful gift, too, for just about everyone and every occasion. In fact, you and your friends will want to keep a bottle of olive oil in your kitchen, your bathroom, and even your bedroom.

Listed below are the various benefits of olive oil for personal and other uses-

# Olive oil can be used as a substitute for butter. When refrigerated, its consistency thickens and the oil becomes like butter.

# Olive oil works the best for any kind of hair. It is best suited to treat frizzy hair and head lice. Long lustrous hair is a dream of many girls and women. The secret ingredient here is again the olive oil. To use it like a hair conditioner, to treat lice or reduce the frizz; apply olive oil to dry hair, comb and leave it around for 30 minutes to an hour.

Rinse twice with shampoo till the hair becomes free of oil. Dry your hair and feel the softness in the first use itself. This also prevents your scalp from becoming dry in the winters and soothes by providing relief from dandruff.

# Olive oil also works well as a pre manicure and pre pedicure agent. Rub olive oil to your hands before a manicure and to the feet before pedicure to get that beautiful and soft feel. It also soothes cracked heels.

# Olive oil works well as a good remedy for acne. Scrub your face using olive oil mixed with regular table salt and take a hot shower or tub bath. For a perfect home facial and exfoliation, use a paste of olive oil-sugar and strawberries. Wash your face or use a hot towel. Another best thing would be to take a steam after the scrub.

# Olive oil can be used on leather sandals and shoes to keep them shiny.

# Another surprising use is that olive oil works well as machine oil. It can be applied on your sewing machines to make them less squeaky.

# For Jews, olive oil has religious significance too. It is used in lamps instead of candles to light their prayer halls or for Hanukkah.

# The Christians use olive oil during Baptism ceremonies in the church and also while a new priest is ordained. Olive oil is used in churches, home prayer corners and cemeteries to light lamps.

#Regular use of olive oil can prevent or reduce high blood pressure. Olive oil mixed with celery in the salad is a good cure for high blood pressure.

# Olive oil is said to be beneficial for curing ulcers and gastritis. It helps in the production of bile and pancreatic hormones in humans. Hence it also lowers the risk of gallstone formation.

# Extra-virgin olive oil has higher levels of antioxidants, especially phenols for human blood. Hence, it also reduces the risk of colon cancer.

# An unusual use of olive oil is to control bad breath. Mixed with water and salt it acts as a mouthwash too.

While buying olive oil, it would be good to obtain virgin olive oil of a high quality. The less the olive oil is treated, heated and pressed, the more it retains its natural state and works well for your health. Another important factor is its storage. Heat and light can harm the olive oil. Keep the oil stored in a dark, cool and dry place; keep it tightly sealed. Avoid long exposures to light, heat and air to prevent it from getting rancid.

Prophet Muhammad is said to have highly recommended the use of olive oil. According to him it cures over 70 diseases and is highly beneficial to humans and pets alike.