Native to the Mediterranian region, olives are known to have been cultivated around 6000 years ago and have been an essential part of life, cuisine, culture, art, and trade for thousands of years. The oil was first pressed and used by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians. The Romans developed the screw press method of oil extraction from olives, which is still used today.

In ancient Greece, the olive and its oil enjoyed massive importance and featured on coins and tombs as a representation of immortality. Greek mythology states that the Greeks chose Goddess Athena’s gift of an olive tree over Poseidon’s saltwater spring and used it in their spiritual and religious practices and cosmetic, culinary, and health benefits. Olive Oil was very well regarded for its medicinal and cosmetic properties, and Holmer, the Greek poet in the Iliad, called the Olive Oil 'Liquid Gold' and Hippocrates called it ‘the great healer’. In the 6th and 7th century BC, cutting down olive trees was punishable by death according to Solon’s Greek laws (Solon is today's Athens). Today, Olive Oil finds similar applications in cosmetics, culinary, and wellness, just as our ancestors did.

Extra-virgin Olive Oil is widely considered one of the healthiest fats for boosting overall health. It is a fantastic source of powerful antioxidants that help protect the body from harmful free radicals that cause cell damage, diseases, and aging. Regular intake of Olive Oil helps reduce inflammation and protect the body from several diseases caused by chronic inflammation. The protective property of Olive Oil is primarily attributed to the abundance of phenolic compounds that exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Extra-virgin Olive Oil offers outstanding benefits for the face, body, and hair as it is packed with nourishing nutrients such as vitamins E, K, A & D, antioxidants, squalene, polyphenols, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. Olive oil offers excellent hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties. It moisturizes the skin, soothes irritated skin, softens nail cuticles, protects skin cells against environmental damage, prevents premature aging, and acts as a natural make-up remover. Olive Oil protects keratin and makes the hair strong & silky. It prevents hair fall by reducing sebum build-up that impedes the formation of new hair follicles.

Among the several grades of Olive Oil in the market, extra-virgin and cold-pressed Olive Oil is the most beneficial variety as it retains the highest amount of beneficial bioactive compounds of olives such as polyphenols, squalene, and vitamins. The presence of these delicate bioactive compounds gets dramatically reduced if the oil is heat-treated or refined.

Details:

Scientific name - Olea europaea

Aroma - Mild, characteristic

Color - Greenish yellow

Consistency - Thick

Absorption - Medium