OLIVE TREE

Olives are high in healthy, cholesterol-lowering mono unsaturated fats & are rich in many health-protective nutrients, including an array of antioxidants.

LEAVES:

A decoction of the fresh leaves has traditionally been used to treat feverish infections such as the flu & the common cold, but also more serious infections such as malaria & dengue fever.
It has also been used to treat urinary inflammations.
Externally, the decoction can be employed as a wash to clean wounds & treat inflammatory skin conditions, rashes, boils & ulcers.
The fresh leaves can be chewed for inflammations of the gums or ulcers of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
The juice, expressed with wine or water, or a decoction of the leaves have the same effect.
The leaf extract has a marked positive effect on the heart, increasing coronary blood flow & lowering blood pressure, while also inhibiting the oxidation of 'bad cholesterol'.
It also reduces uric acid concentration, which can be a contributing factor in heart disease as well as arthritic & rheumatoid conditions.
It is also said to reduce the blood sugar levels, making it a valuable supportive remedy for diabetes sufferers.
The leaf extract has produced excellent results in boosting immune system response to viral conditions such as the flu, pneumonia & the common cold as well as in the treatment of serious immune system debilitating conditions, such a lupus, lyme disease, Eppstein Barr virus & fibromyalgia.

OIL:

Internally it can be used as a mild but effective laxative that will lubricate & soften hard stools.
It is also sometimes used in combination with lemon juice to soften & expel gallbladder stones, though this procedure is not without certain risks & should not be attempted without the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. Olive oil reduces the secretion of hydrochloric acid, thus being beneficial for people who suffer from an over acidic stomach.

It is a healthful oil to use for food as it is rich in mono saturated fatty acids & has a certain vasodilatory effect on the arterial walls, helping to reduce blood pressure & increasing the blood supply to the heart.
Externally olive oil is used to soothe inflamed skin or cosmetically, to preserve its smoothness & the luster of the hair.
It is also said to be useful for dandruff.
Its emollient qualities can be employed to treat calluses & hardened skin & is sometimes also used as a soothing enema for an ulcerated intestinal tract or hemorrhoids.

In Herbal Folklore, earaches are treated by applying olive oil drops to half a cotton ball then inserted into the ear. The ball is inserted no deeper than a Q-tip would be, sticking out far enough to be removed safely with the fingers. New cotton balls are applied every 2-3 hours for the duration of the earache. This home remedy may be especially helpful during winter.

Olive oil can provide protective effects against certain malignant tumors, cancer, & reduce the risk of heart disease.

FRUITS:

Mashed olives applied as a poultice to scalds & burns prevent the formation of blisters & cleanse dirty wounds.
The Olive juice from the pickling brine astringes the gums & tightens loose teeth.
The yellowish olives are hard to digest, but strengthen the stomach.
The black, ripe olives decay easily & are bad for the stomach.
Prepared as a poultice they open up boils & inhibit gangrene.

PRECAUTIONS:

Olive leaf tea can produce an upset stomach when taken on an empty stomach. Large doses of the leaf extract occasionally give rise to a 'die-off' effect, characterized by headaches & gastro-intestinal disturbance, due to the fact that high doses of Olive leaf extract can 'kill-off' large numbers of pathogens, which can produce a temporary feeling of unwellness. This is due to the fact that the body can't cope with eliminating the dead pathogens quickly enough. If this happens, simply reduce the dosage.

RECIPES:

Delicious pesto:

2 bunches fresh Basil leaves
3 cloves of garlic
¾ cup pine nuts
1/3 cup Parmesan
2 chillies (variable)
olive oil


Take 2 bunches of basil, cut them up roughly & place in a food processor.
Add the garlic & a little olive oil.
Blend until smooth.
Carefully add the grated Parmesan cheese & the chillies.
If the paste becomes too dry, add a little more olive oil until you get a nice smooth, not too runny, not too stodgy consistency.
Stir in the pine nuts & some salt to taste.

Rosemary Chili Oil:

1 sprig of Rosemary
2 dried red Chillies
2 cloves of Garlic
5 Juniper berries
1 Bay leaf


Dry the Rosemary for a couple of days, place all ingredients in a sterilized bottle & cover with 700 ml of oil.
Leave to infuse in a warm place for 2 weeks.
Strain & return to the bottle.
Close tightly. Should keep for approximately 5 weeks.

BEAUTY:

Dandruff oil treatment:

Heat 100 ml of olive oil in a saucepan over low heat.
Moisten the hair so the oil will not penetrate it.
Apply the warm oil to the scalp with a cotton ball, sectioning the hair with a comb to dab the oil on. Cover the head with a shower cap or towel for 30 minutes.
Treatment to help loosen dandruff & moisturize the scalp.

MAGIC:

One of the oldest cultivated trees, the olive tree, along with its branches, fruit & oil–permeates legend, history & palates around the world.
A universal symbol of peace, glory & abundance, the olive, native to Asia Minor, was first cultivated in the Mediterranean during the fifth century BC.