Olive oil is oil obtained from the
olive tree, a traditional tree crop grown in the Mediterranean Basin or the land areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the world’s most popular oils being used for various purposes such as cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps. Homer, ancient Greek’s greatest epic poet and author of Iliad and Odyssey, once described
olive oil as “liquid gold” due to its importance to the life of many people. Its production is said to have been started before 4000 BC by the Canaanites in Israel, through such methods as pressing and hand
squeezing. The present-day method of producing olive oil starts by transforming the tree fruit into paste before it is malaxed or slowly churned and mixed to allow small oil droplets to concentrate. Oil is then extracted by the application of centrifugal force to separate liquids that cannot be mixed. Oil extract from
olive fruit is then classified as virgin oil, refined oil, and pomace oil. Virgin oil is produced without chemical treatment, while the refined oil is treated chemically to remove its free fatty acid content. The pomace oil is an extract from pomace, the solid substance that remains after extraction.
Because of its many uses, olive oil is produced in many countries. The world’s leading producers include Spain, Italy and Greece, which account for 75% of the total world production. Australia exports olive oil to Asia, Europe and the United States. In North America, the Spanish and Italian olive oils are considered the best. Along with Italy and Turkey, Spain also accounts for a big percentage of olive oil exports to the U.S. Virgin olive oils are sold at high prices, especially those from Spain, Italy, Greece, Republic of South Africa, Chile and Argentina.
Not only in foods or cosmetics that olive oil finds its uses but also in medicines, religious rituals, traditional oil lamps as fuel, and in hair and skin care. For
hair care , it repairs damaged hair, invigorates the scalp, and nourishes and conditions the hair to improve its strength and elastic properties. You will also find that using olive oil on your hair will remove dandruff and stop hair loss, tame your hair if it is frizzy to make it shiny, smooth, silky and manageable, and make your hair glow even in broad daylight.
Hair care specialists advance certain tips on the ways for hair care using olive oil. As a hot oil treatment: Heat up ½ cup of olive oil in a microwave, then, mixed with Rosemary oil, rub it on hair by means of your fingers, and leave it for 30 minutes before washing it. As a scalp treatment: Apply oil directly to the scalp and massage it for a few minutes to increase blood circulation and encourage growth of your hair. As treatment for split ends and frizzy hair: Apply
olive oil to hair tips to treat split ends and to its entire length to moisturize it and restore its shine.
You should always remember that the heated oil acts as a moisturizer while it nourishes your hair and scalp. Massaging improves blood circulation in your scalp to stimulate hair growth. This routine must be done at least twice per week; otherwise, you should use a good conditioner after your shampoo if you are not oiling your hair.
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