LIFE
AND HISTORY OF OLIVE OIL
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There
are quite a lot of towns that claim its discovery, associating the
olive tree with fertility, victory, peace and eternity. All through
the centuries several civilizations used olive oil not only as food,
but also as a medicine. From ancient times, olive oil has been used
in medical recipes: preparation of ointments, liniments, injections,
etc.
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It
has also been used in natural beauty products: athletes in ancient
times were already using olive oil to keep their muscles flexible
and women made their bodies smoother, and they also made their hair
brilliant. Present cosmetics use it for the preparation of creams
and all kind of beauty products, including perfumes. Plinio, the
Greek historian used olive oil as a recipe for longevity; in the
Roman hot baths it was used for massages.
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It
was an essential element in the ointments of Eastern religions;
and it is often mentioned in the Bible: Maria Magdalena honoured
Jesus Christ by pouring oil over him; the good Samaritan used
oil to relieve a man’s pain when he had been attacked by
some thieves, holy oil was used to anoint kings, prophets, also
altars and buildings, besides priests, popes and ill people. In
present times, it is used in several Catholic religious ceremonies,
including Baptism, Confirmation of the faith and Extreme unction.
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Almost
as late as at the end of the nineteenth century, oil was the main
source of illumination in houses and cities; it is worth pointing
out its use in the making of domestic soap, polish for furniture,
a quick remedy for domestic burns and also as a laxative and a tonic.
In the same way, it has been considered an effective remedy for
poison, it decreases blood pressure and stimulates urine. If used
with a great variety of medicinal plants, it can fight against several
illnesses, such as asthma, stress, indigestion, influenza, poisoning,
rheumatism, cholesterol, headaches or hypertension.
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