Olive oil, one of the greatest divine elixirs, contains multiple nutritional properties for your body, both internally and externally. In addition to these benefits, there is a one that comes from a most unexpected angle. Olive oil has been, and still is used today in a spiritual way. We will delve more into that benefit as you progress through this article.
Several studies have indicated that olive oil may aid in your fight against certain types of cancer, lower blood sugar and blood pressure, help reduce your weight, ease headaches, aide to healthy skin, and it’s good for your heart just to name a few. Olive oil can even be used to preserve fish, cheese and wine for many years.
There are many types of olive oils out there, however, extra virgin is the best since it has not been altered and it retains more nutritional value. One of the best features is that olive oil contains no cholesterol. Olive oil also helps with better digestion and that in turn helps sustain your metabolism. Olive oil is rich in many vitamins and iron. It contains vitamins A, B-1, B-2, C, and D, and it helps the body keep good levels of vitamin E.
Extra virgin olive oil is known to be rich in monounsaturated fat. This particular type of fat is associated with many excellent health benefits such as lowering colon cancer rates and diabetes.
Some 6,000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean, olive oil cultivation began. In fact, today 99% of all olive oil comes from Spain, Italy, Greece and a handful of other Mediterranean countries, Spain being the largest producer. Since Olive trees are deep rooted, this allows them to thrive and survive for many centuries.
When the olive is harvested, the entire olive is used. They separate the liquid from the solids and the water from the oil. In ancient times, even the wood from the olive trees was used to make the doors to Solomon’s Temple as well as cherubim in the temple. They also used the material of the olive branches for booths for the Feast of Tabernacles.
Nutritional and health benefits are the greatest known benefits of olive oil. However, many people who are rooted in the bible feel it poses an even greater benefit which is that of healing. The bible points to many instances where olive oil was used to anoint and offer healing properties to Kings and all of God’s people.
God actually offered up and first introduced the olive in the bible when a Dove returned to Noah with an olive leaf. This was a symbol of peace and restoration from the flood. God reminds us in the bible (Deuteronomy 6:10-12, and Jeremiah 31:12) that olive oil is sacred and that is should be used as a holy oil for anointing unto the Lord throughout generations. In James 5:14, the bible says “Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church: and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
So as you can see, many claim the benefits of olive oil come not only from a nutritional standpoint, but also from a spiritual one. Either way, the benefits are there for the taking!