Medicinal Uses of Olive Oil: Simple Remedies for Common Problems
About Olive Oil
Olive oil has been used since as early as 3,000 B.C. It is common in the diets of many Mediterranean countries, including Italy, Spain and Greece. Data shows that people who use olive oil regularly in place of other fats like vegetable oils, animal fats and hydrogenated oils have much lower rates of atherosclerosis, heart disease, asthma, diabetes and colon cancer.
Besides adding olive oil to your diet, you can use the following remedies to treat common problems. These medicinal uses of olive oil are simple, safe and inexpensive.
Remedies
Acne
Oil for acne? Some say it is effective, claiming it helps rinse the bad oil away. Others disagree and say it makes matters worse. According to herbalist Angela Harris, this South American remedy has cleared up many faces. She recommends washing your face first with hot water and mild soap. Then apply a thin coat of olive oil over the acne and leave on so the skin absorbs it completely. Do this three times a day.
Bug in Ear
This problem is not that common, but it does happen. Bugs are attracted to light so first go in a dark room and shine a flashlight in the ear. If that doesn’t get the bug crawling out, pour 1 teaspoon of olive oil in the ear, wait a minute or two then tilt your head the other way so the oil and hopefully the bug can flow out. If the bug doesn’t come out, pour warm water in your ear to help push it out. If this doesn’t work, seek medical help.
Calluses
Calluses are thickened areas of skin. You can help soften them by rubbing olive oil on the calluses throughout the day.
Constipation
Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a natural laxative, in the morning and 1 tablespoon one hour after eating dinner.
Cough
This remedy can help stop a dry, irritating cough. Cook 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1 cup of honey and the juice from one lemon for 5 minutes. Afterwards, stir the mixture vigorously for 2 minutes. Take 1 teaspoon every 2 hours as needed.
Ear Infections
Mix 1 teaspoon of warm olive oil and 4 drops of onion juice (grate an onion and squeeze through a cheesecloth). Put 3 drops in the affected ear and plug your ear with a cotton ball. Do this twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Some ear infections can be serious, especially in children, so you should consult a health care provider.
Frostbite
This remedy is for mild cases of frostbite. Symptoms include mild numbness, a “pins and needles” or prickly sensation and throbbing or aching pain. First you need to warm the affected part by soaking it in warm (not hot) water. When the skin is warm, gently dab some warm olive oil on to decrease pain and improve circulation.
Rough Hands & Feet
Pour lemon juice over your rough skin, rinse off and massage the area with olive oil.
Scars
The earlier you treat scars, the better the results. Scars will never go away completely, but applying a light layer of olive oil over it every day can help reduce its appearance. Adding certain essential oils for scars can enhance the benefits.
Warts
To speed up the healing of warts, mix some olive oil with grated carrots and put the mixture on the wart for 30 minutes two times a day.
Weak Fingernails
Besides eating a well-balanced diet, soak your fingernails in warm olive oil for 10 minutes then give each nail a little massage. Do this every day.
Wrinkles
Before going to bed, massage olive oil over the wrinkles and leave on while you sleep. In the morning, rinse with tepid, then cool water.
To get the most benefits from the above medicinal uses of olive oil, buy extra-virgin, cold-pressed oil.
References
WHFoods: Olive oil, extra virgin - https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=132
Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen, Bottom Line’s Healing Remedies (2006)
Photo Credit
Photo by Monica Arellano-Ongpin (CC/flickr)
Disclaimer
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