Olive oil, also known as “liquid gold”, is a great ingredient that has been used by humans for natural medicine for centuries. Olive oil is a rich source of different polyphenols like simple phenols, terpenes, flavones, hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavonoid glycosides, lignans and hydroxybenzoic acids. These polyphenols work as both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients in the body. Olive oil is beneficial when taken internally or even when applied tropically; and also have a lot of home uses. Here are the top home remedies using olive oil.
CONSTIPATION
Take 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach. If you wish, you can improve the flavour with a few drops of lemon juice. If you have more serious constipation, you can make a mixture of olive oil (1 teaspoon) and warm water (another teaspoon), and apply it as an enema.
EAR WAX REMOVAL
To remove ear wax, drop two drops of olive oil in your ear when you go to bed. Then cover it with a cotton ball. The next day, put a few drops of warm water in your ear with the help of a droper to remove earwax painlessly.
GINGIVITIS
If gingivitis is left untreated it can lead to more serious gum issues and ultimately, tooth and bone loss. Just rinse your mouth with the mixture of olive oil with water. The best news is that this remedy may also help to ward off periodontal disease by preventing the formation of plaque, which causes tartar build-up.
BODY MOISTURIZER
Try olive oil as a body lotion. It’s all natural and wonderfully very effective. Apply it all over your body, while in the shower, right after you use the shower gel. You will feel your skin amazingly soft and smooth. This is another simple way to make your skin look perfect, healthy and tender to touch.
SUNSCREEN
Mix equal amounts of olive oil and tea decoction (tea boiled in water and strained). Apply this mixture all over your body and face. Let it sit there for about an hour, and then rinse it off (don’t wash), so as to leave a residue on your skin. This will work as a natural sunscreen.
STRETCH MARK REMEDY
Olive oil helps in regeneration of skin and increasing elasticity of the skin as well.
How to use: Massage olive oil over the affected areas at least three times a week to improve the elasticity of the skin and its regenerative abilities, which will help heal the affected skin. This will not only prevent formation of new stretch marks, but will also work to reduce and lighten the existing ones slightly.
HAIR TREATMENT
Simply massage slightly warmed up olive oil on your hair. Allow it to sit on your tresses for about an hour, then shampoo and condition as you normally do. If after shampoo your hair still feels oily, you may need to do shampoo twice to get rid of greasiness. Your hair will look and feel healthier and shiny after this olive oil hair treatment.
BRITTLE WEAK NAILS
Give a warm olive oil bath to your nails. It’s a great way to strengthen them. It will take just 5-10 minutes. Simply soak your nails in a slightly warm olive oil. Remember not to heat it too much, as it loses its properties at high temperature. Apply this olive oil nails treatment once or twice a week to strengthen your nails. With this treatment they will also look healthy and shiny.