Medical Remedies

Medical Remedies

Olive oil has been used for hundreds of years by various Mediterranean cultures for cooking and many medical treatments. Today we consider it to be a healthy choice as part of our daily diet. Some medical professionals are even rediscovering the medicinal benefits of olive oil and are performing research to understand the extent of the benefits that olive oil has to offer.  The remedies listed below use olive oil to:

Protect against Alzheimer’s Disease.  Oleocanthal, a chemical that protects brain cells and is found in olive oil, has been shown in past studies to act as a natural anti-inflammatory that works like ibuprofen, and could be extracted along with other related molecules in the development of future drugs used to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Lower harmful cholesterol.  Olive oil has been shown to provide many health benefits that can be contributed to the high content of both monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidative substances. Research has shown that olive oil offers some defense against cardiovascular disease by lowering harmful LDL cholesterol levels while elevating beneficial HDL levels.

Fight breast cancer tumors.  Researchers from the Universitat Autonoma in Barcelona say that olive oil “thwarts the gene that drives the growth of breast cancer tumors, it switches off proteins that the cancer cells rely on in order to grow and multiply and it protects the DNA from damage that can lead to cancer."  In fact, they have shown that molecules in this antioxidant monounsaturated fat actually fight tumors, slowing their growth, in some cases, even causing them to implode.

>Prevent skin tumors. Olive oil is naturally high in antioxidants and contains vitamin K which may be useful in treating skin tumors. According to recent university research, rubbing olive oil on the skin after exposure to the sun lowers the risk of getting skin tumors, possibly leading to skin cancer at a later date. To treat your skin, simply apply olive oil to any part of your body that was exposed to the sun. Leave this treatment on overnight and in the morning; wash your skin as usual.

Soothe skin burns.  Olive oil is hard to beat when it comes to first aid for skin burns. Aloe Vera is probably its main competitor, but olive oil is usually right on hand. When you have experienced a skin burn you should cool it off in cold water immediately, and then apply olive oil.  Keep the wound saturated with olive oil for 24 hours. It soothes and protects the skin from being exposed to the air.  Olive oil also helps the burn to heal faster.

Promote healing after surgery.  Rub olive oil on incisions to help them heal faster.

Inhibit swelling and reduce bruising.  Rub olive oil on accidental bumps as soon as possible.

Put a stop to snoring. Taking a sip of olive oil before heading to bed can  hinder snoring since it helps to lubricate your throat muscles.

Stop a tickle in your throat. A teaspoon of olive oil can help soothe a tickling or sore throat and help prevent coughing.

Cure an earache. Very carefully, use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax.  It can also be warmed slightly (be careful that it doesn’t get too hot) before use to relieve pain.  Olive oil was once bottled and sold as “sweet oil” for the purpose of curing earaches.

Treat lice. Apply olive oil to scalp and entire head of hair, and leave on for at least 40 minutes.  Blot extra oil and using a lice comb, go through hair and get rid of the lice and nits.  Shampoo the remainder of the oil out of the hair.  It may take several shampoos but will leave the hair soft and healthy.    Use the olive oil once a week as a conditioner and preventative.

Alleviate diaper rash. Gently wipe olive oil on your baby’s bottom to help with the irritation of diaper rash.  Used as a protective barrier, Olive oil can also prevent the rash before it starts.  It wipes off easily as well.

Deter insect bites.  Lather exposed skin with extra virgin olive oil before spending time outdoors.  The oil smothers the insect before they can bite.

Care for your cat.  Add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat’s food to help put a stop to hairballs. Olive oil is likely to be gentler on a cat’s system than petroleum-based anti-hairball lubricants.

Get rid of ear mites in pets.  Use an eye dropper to put a few drops of warm olive oil in the ear.  Rub the ears and allow the animal to shake his head.  Wipe the ears with a soft cloth or tissue. Repeat several times a week until they are clean. The olive oil will suffocate the mites.

Remove sap from paws.  Wash paws with olive oil to remove the sticky substance.  Olive oil is a great and safe alternative to commercial adhesive removers.

Restore shine to your pet’s coat.  Add about a teaspoon of olive oil to your pet’s food, it helps keep their skin moisturized and promotes a healthy, shiny coat.

I hope you enjoyed this article and as always STAY HEALTHY and BEAUTIFUL!

Beyond Cooking

Beyond Cooking

Olive oil can be used in so many ways that go way beyond cooking, from personal care to home improvement, natural remedies and beyond. Using olive oil can help you avoid the need to use chemicals, compounds and other substances that aren’t beneficial for the environment.

In your home, Olive oil can be used to:

Polish wood furniture. Add citrus juice to olive oil to boost the cleaning power and leave a fresh scent.  Pour a few drops on a soft rag to polish furniture.  Use 1/3 cup of citrus juice for every cup of olive oil.  It does go rancid though so keep in the fridge and bring to room temperature before using. 

Condition and revitalize leather. Rub olive oil in any worn leather, such as a baseball glove. Let set for about 30 minutes and then wipe away any remaining surplus residue.

Make brass or copper sparkle. After polishing brass or copper, rub in a little olive oil to delay the reoccurrence of tarnish.

Buff stainless steel appliances. Many cleaning products, such as those containing ammonia, can dull and even oxidize chrome and stainless steel. Olive oil, however, provides a safe and effective shine.  Simply rub a bit of olive oil on a soft rag to prevent streaks, corrosion, and tarnish.

Prevent water stains. Using a small amount of olive oil, rub a cloth along the inside of your clean and dry kitchen sink. It prevents water stains from forming and will make your sink sparkle and shine.

Lubricate measuring cups and spoons. Rub or spray olive oil on your measuring tools for quick and simple clean-up of sticky substances like honey, grain mustards, and sugar syrups.

Avoid cracking in your wooden items. Rub olive oil into wooden cutting boards to help prevent cracking.  This also helps deter staining and marking.  It can also be used on wooden handles or even fret boards on guitars to restore the natural glow without drying the wood.

Fix a squeaky door. Use a rag or cotton swab to apply olive oil to the top of a noisy hinge in your home or automobile.  Wipe the top of the hinges so that the oil runs down the sides. 

Shine your shoes. Wipe your shoes with just a mist of olive oil to maintain and/or restore their shine.

Protect garden tools and prevent difficult clean up. Coat garden tool blades with a thin layer of olive oil to cut down on dirt buildup and prevent rusting.

Free a jammed zipper. Using a cotton swab, apply a drop of olive oil to the teeth of a zipper, and then gently ease the tab down. Avoid touching the fabric since staining can result.

Restore a hardwood floor and kitchen cabinets. Olive oil can be used in small amounts to restore the shine and luster to hardwood floors and kitchen cabinets.  It works better than traditional polish and doesn’t have an overbearing smell.

Lengthen the life of your razor blades. Submerge the head of the razor in a small container of olive oil between uses.  One blade will last for months and for far more shaves than you would believe possible. The oil prevents rust from developing on the blades.

Prevent wax from sticking to a candle holder. Before inserting a candle, rub a thin coat on the base of the holder. Dripped wax should easily wipe or peel away.

Get rid of adhesive residue.  Pour directly on the sticky surface and spread it around. Let it set for a few minutes and remove with a paper towel or soft rag. 

Eradicate tough stains from clothing or skin. Olive oil removes tar, paint, asphalt, anything oil or petroleum based from skin & clothing. Wash the oil spot from clothes with a lye laundry bar when you are finished.

Clean your greasy hands. Pour 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt or sugar into your palms to remove paint or car grease from your hands. Vigorously rub the combination into your hands and between your fingers for several moments; then rinse with soap and water. Your hands will not only be cleaner, they’ll be softer as well.

Remove gum from hair. Rub oil directly on the gum and comb the gum out.  Place a little bit of powder on the affected area to absorb the oil until the hair can be washed.

I hope you enjoyed this article and as always STAY HEALTHY and BEAUTIFUL!

Beauty

Beauty

If you’ve never used olive oil as part of your beauty regimen, you’re in for a real treat. It is rich in squalane, a natural emollient that is great for your nails, lips, hair, and skin. In addition, it is packed with Vitamins A & E and polyphenols that make it popular in many prepackaged beauty products. You can use it at home as part of your routine to:

Soak thin, brittle nails and tattered cuticles. Use a small amount of olive oil to moisturize cuticles, or mix oil and water and immerse your fingertips before a manicure to smooth, strengthen and soften them.

Get rid of stains from nails and fingers. Simply add a few drops of lemon juice to olive oil and soak your fingers in the mixture.

Exfoliate your face and hands. Combine sea salt or sugar with olive oil and scrub to exfoliate skin. You can also add an essential oil of your choice to create a fragrant experience reminiscent of a spa.  After rinsing, you are left with a moisturized skin that really glows!

Reduce signs of aging on your hands. Smooth liberally onto hands before bed, put on cotton gloves, and wake up with soft, young looking hands.

Get healthy skin. Olive oil is a great skin moisturizer, in part because it contains linoleic acid, a compound not made by the body, but which prevents water from evaporating. It also contains a polyphenols hydroxytyrosol, an antioxidant that reinforces cell walls and reduces signs of aging. A mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup water used as a night cream will give your skin a soft glow. The olive oil softens and hydrates and the vinegar lightens discolorations, kills bacteria and loosens dead skin cells. Splash your face with water before applying.

Calm red and irritated skin. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to your running bath water. In addition, you can add 1 teaspoon of lavender oil to a bath to help with relaxation. The olive oil makes your skin very smooth and has shown to reduce wrinkles over time.

Soften dry and cracked feet. A little extra virgin olive oil makes a fabulous

substitute for foot cream. Just massage on your feet before going to bed and wear socks to sleep. The olive oil works as a lubricant on the feet and does not disappear the way most lotions do.

Moisturize skin before sun exposure. Slather on olive oil before braving the sun – it’s rich in Vitamins A and E, and locks the moisture in your skin while protecting you from UV rays. According to Leslie Baumann, M.D., author of The Skin Type Solution, eating olives and olive oil can actually promote healthy skin. Olive oil contains a minimum of four different antioxidants, which can help "neutralize damaging free radicals that can lead to skin aging and skin cancer." Baumann writes that in studies mice that were given extra virgin olive oil developed less skin cancer after exposure to UV light.

Relieve sunburn. Mix olive oil with white vinegar and apply before a warm bath to soothe and heal the burn. You can also rub olive oil onto the sunburn to prevent peeling.

Use as a massage oil. You can create a mixture of organic oils: extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, in equal parts along with a small amount of jojoba or almond oil and vitamin E as a preservative that keeps your skin smooth and soft.

Replace shaving cream. Do you have sensitive skin? Be gentle with your legs by using olive oil as a shaving cream. Olive oil is a safe and organic alternative for shaving foam and results in a close shave that is less expensive and leaves your legs feeling silky and smooth.

Restore moisture to your lips. Mix olive oil and melted beeswax in equal portions, with an essential oil for a nice fragrance.

Just dab on your finger and smear to relieve dry and chapped lips.

Clear up acne. The idea of applying oil to your face as a treatment of acne does sound strange but it works. Create a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons salt with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Pour the mixture onto your hands and fingers and massage it on to your face. Let set for a minute or two, and then rinse it off with warm, soapy water. Apply daily for a week, then cut back to two or three times weekly. You should see a noticeable improvement in your condition. The premise is that the salt cleanses the pores by exfoliation and the olive oil restores the skin’s natural moisture.

Produce your own homemade soap. Mix 50/50 with saved fat for homemade soap. 100% EV olive oil can be used in soap making, but it takes longer to cure.

Remove makeup. Using a cotton swab, dab a bit under your eyes, on your cheeks and forehead, then wipe with a damp cloth. Finish by using a gentle cleanser. Your skin will be soft and smooth. Olive oil is a great option for those with sensitive skin.

Eliminate paint from your skin or hair. Massage olive oil on messy hand, arms and even hair. Allow the oil to soak into the skin for several minutes before rinsing with soap and water.

Banish tangled and frizzy hair. Comb a bit of olive oil through dry or frizzy hair to help tame and moisturize your tresses, especially in the winter or on muggy days. Olive oil can also provide some reprieve for brittle and damaged hair.

Substitute for daily hair conditioner. A small amount of olive oil applied after shampooing can be substituted for hair conditioner. Apply a small drop into your palm & then rub both hands together & then apply it to dry hair.

Deep condition your hair. Weekly, give hair and scalp a massage with slightly heated olive oil applied liberally. Comb through hair and let set for at least an hour or two. Shampoo hair to remove oil and thoroughly rinse. This will leave you with unbeatable shine and healthier looking hair with fewer split ends.

Cut down on dandruff. Mix olive oil with almond oil and keep on scalp for five minutes. Rinse well to clear hair of dandruff.

Diminish static in winter months. Rub a small amount into your hands before running your fingers through your hair. Follow with a stroke or two from a natural brush.

Condition a hairless scalp. Rub with olive oil and then lay on a hot moist towel. When the towel cools, reheat in the microwave. Be careful not to let it get too hot. Repeat several times.

Clean makeup brushes. Mix olive oil with a tsp of dishwashing liquid. Rub a small amount on the brush and wipe the brush back and forth on the palm of your hand, then rinse.

I hope you enjoyed this article and as always STAY HEALTHY and BEAUTIFUL!