While extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) tastes mighty good drizzled over warm bread and fresh salads, don't think it's just making your tastebuds happy.
Research shows a healthy dose of EVOO in your diet is good for cardiovascular, cellular, and brain health. This is why many have gravitated toward the Mediterranean diet, which is centered on eating more veggies, whole grains, and olive oil. EVOO can be used topically too: It has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and ultra-nourishing properties that make it a great ingredient for many salves and serums.
For some ideas on how to use olive oil homeopathically, try these six remedies that can help treat common everyday woes.
Soften dry hands
For an anti-aging hand cream that’s deeply moisturizing, combine 1 tablespoon each of EVOO and organic ghee (a form of clarified butter, available in health food stores), ¼ tsp vitamin E oil, and 5-10 drops of essential oil (sandalwood, lavender, and neroli are all soothing). Massage into hands, nails, and cuticles. Slip on cotton gloves for 30-60 minutes or overnight.
Heal minor cuts and scrapes
Using olive oil's antiseptic and antibacterial properties, you can whip up a homemade salve. You'll need EVOO, coconut oil, calendula and lavender herbs, beeswax, tea tree and lavender oil. Get the full recipe from Live Simply.
Treat damaged hair
Try this pre-shampoo treatment to fix those split ends: First warm up some EVOO in hot water or in the microwave, then apply the olive oil from the ends of your hair to the roots. Leave it in your hair for 10-20 minutes before you wash it out with your favorite hydrating shampoo.
Get a healthy shave
Create a shaving oil with antibacterial powers by adding 5-10 drops of cedarwood essential oil (naturally antiseptic and anti-inflammatory) to ½ cup of EVOO in a small plastic container. It’s super-moisturizing, so no need to wash it off—just gently rub in any excess instead of applying lotion.
Soothe nappy rash
Since EVOO has the power to reduce itching and skin irritation, it makes a great ingredient for homeopathic nappy rash ointments. Mix 1 cup of EVOO, 1 cup of coconut oil, and 4 tablespoons of beeswax in warm water. Then mix 8 drops lavender essential oil, 6 drops of lemon essential oil, 4 drops of tea tree essential oil into four, 125ml jars. Once the EVOO, coconut oil and beeswax have melted together, pour the mixture into each jar and wait until the salve hardens.
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