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Little Known Health Benefits of Olive Oil
By M. Miller
Olives are one of the seven species of plants for which the land of Israel was famous in Biblical times. Olive trees still cover the hills of Israel and are abundant all over Jerusalem. Not only are olives and olive oil a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, they also have many health benefits. It is well known that the Mediterranean diet – which advocates cooking with olive oil – is good for cardiovascular health. People who regularly consume olive oil have lower cholesterol levels, overall healthier hearts, and longer lives. Less well known is that one of olive oil’s components, oleuropein, is a powerful antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. Olive oil has also been shown to have strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. This may explain the effectiveness of some popular olive-based home remedies. While I found no data to support the traditional remedy of drinking olive oil with lemon juice to prevent gallstones (although I imagine it would be very effective as an emetic drink), olive oil’s antioxidant properties would explain why some women swear by olive oil face masks and hair rinses, and why they rub it into their hands for smoother skin. Its antibacterial characteristics would also explain why so many Mediterranean mothers rely on olive oil to relieve their children’s earaches. To make olive-oil ear drops, peel a clove or two of garlic, put them in a small jar, cover with olive oil and warm up in the microwave. Cover the jar and let the concoction marinate. When someone has an earache, put a few drops in the affected ear. This is remarkably effective in easing ear pain. (Note that you shouldn’t use this remedy if there is oozing from the ear. In such a case, the eardrum might have perforated and medical attention is recommended.) Some people use olive tree leaves to make a tea that is said to shorten the duration of a cold. There are also olive supplements on the market that supposedly give you an energy boost. One of the best energy boosts, however, and one of the best ways of staying healthy, is to eat a healthy diet – lots of vegetables, lightly drizzled with or sautéed in virgin olive oil. Simply delicious!
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Contributor's Note
M. Miller is a writer who specializes in health and travel, and the editor of The Jerusalem Insider's Guide.
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This intel was contributed by mitzi
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May, 2012
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