Olive Oil (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil)
It is not known when and where olive trees were first domesticated but what it is known, Olive trees and the fruit the trees bear were first used in antiquity. A time long gone around the 4th Millennium where humans were first learning to use the tools nature provides for our own benefit, thousands of years ago.
Besides food, olive oil has long been used in skin care. Olive oil has long been considered sacred; it was used to anoint kings and athletes in ancient Greece. It was burnt in the sacred lamps of temples as well as being the “eternal flame” of the original Olympic Games. Victors in these games were crowned with its leaves. The ancient Spartan men would liberally rub the oil into their skin while training in the gymnasia, in preparation for battle. No wonder the Spartan phalanges were widely considered to be among the best in battle. Spartiates underwent the rigorous agoge training and education regimen, and were completely focused on military training and excellence. That’s quite an honour for the humble olive.
The Olive tree can live for thousands of years and its health benefits as a food are well documented. Topically it is used as a moisturising carrier oil with excellent lubricity and is claimed to stimulate collagen, elastin, proteoglycans and glyoproteins while being rich in Vitamin E & K for the ultimate in skin moisturisation.
Found In