Olive oil has medicinal as well as culinary uses.
Extra virgin olive oil is taken from the first press of the olive. Olive oil, especially the extra virgin variety, is a large part of the Mediterranean diet, which is linked to good health and longevity. There are known medicinal uses for extra virgin olive oil. For some of these, you can substitute regular olive oil, but extra virgin is of higher quality and may be more effective.
Cholesterol
Extra virgin olive oil is full of monounsaturated fats and polyphenol antioxidants. These fats and antioxidants can reduce the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your bloodstream. LDL cholesterol is a harmful cholesterol that can lead to heart disease. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil each day may lessen your chances of developing coronary heart disease.
Alzheimer's Disease
Extra virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, which is a naturally occurring chemical that can protect brain cells. A study carried out by Dr. Jason Pitt, Northwestern University, found that nerve cells exposed to oleocanthal extracted from olive oil were protected from neurotoxins responsible for brain damage and Alzheimer's disease. Doctors and scientists may attempt to utilize this medicinal property of extra virgin olive oil to create effective new medications to treat Alzheimer's.
Ear Wax
You can use extra virgin olive oil to soften and remove excess ear wax. The University of Nottingham Health Service recommends using olive oil as an alternative treatment if your ears are blocked by ear wax. Put a few drops of extra virgin olive oil in the blocked ear two to four times a day for two weeks. This should soften and eliminate the wax.
Burns
You can use extra virgin olive oil to soothe minor skin burns. Hold the burned area under cold water for five to 10 minutes. After this, apply olive oil to the wound. The oil will soothe the burn and protect it from further infection. Putting extra virgin olive oil on your burn may even help the burn heal more quickly. If the burn looks serious and the skin is more than just red, however, you should consult a doctor.
Tags: virgin olive, extra virgin, virgin olive, extra virgin olive, extra virgin, extra virgin