The Benefits of Olive Oil in Wellness
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
The Gist: Olive oil isn’t just for cooking — it’s a time-tested wellness staple packed with antioxidants, skin-loving compounds, and ancient healing power. Here’s why it’s showing up in beauty cabinets and wellness routines everywhere.
The Benefits of Olive Oil in Wellness
In a world full of synthetics and “miracle” ingredients, olive oil holds strong. It’s not hype—it’s one of the most scientifically backed, multi-functional ingredients in both the kitchen and your wellness toolkit.
Why It Works: Olive Oil’s Bioactive Benefits
[“Bioactive” refers to a substance that has an effect on living tissue—meaning it actively interacts with your body to support health, healing, or cellular function.]
🧪 1. Anti-Inflammatory Power
Olive oil is rich in oleocanthal, a natural compound shown to have similar effects to ibuprofen. This makes it a powerful ally in reducing chronic inflammation, with implications for everything from joint health to heart support.
Research has confirmed oleocanthal’s action as a natural non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound (Beauchamp et al., 2005).
💧 2. Deep Moisture for Skin and Hair
Thanks to its high content of squalene and vitamin E, olive oil is a natural emollient. It moisturizes deeply, strengthens the skin barrier, and doesn’t clog pores—making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Studies note that olive oil improves skin hydration and elasticity, and may protect against UV damage (Martinez-Gonzalez et al., 2014; Ziboh et al., 2000).
🛡️ 3. Antioxidant Protection
Olive oil contains polyphenols, oleuropein, and hydroxytyrosol—all potent antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress and early aging.
Polyphenols have been found to protect against cardiovascular disease and oxidative damage (Visioli & Galli, 2002).
🦠 4. Gut and Immune Support
Consuming olive oil can support gut health by enhancing digestion, reducing intestinal inflammation, and improving absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Olive oil positively influences gut microbiota and immune function (Milella et al., 2021; Pérez-Jiménez et al., 2005).
🌱 5. A Carrier for Herbal Remedies
Due to its natural stability, antioxidants, and long shelf life, olive oil is ideal for herbal infusions, homemade salves, and skin balms.
Used for centuries in herbal medicine, olive oil preserves the bioactivity of infused herbs and enhances transdermal delivery (Eidi et al., 2012).
What Does “Extra Virgin” and “Cold Pressed” Mean?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO):
The highest grade of olive oil. Extracted from the first press using mechanical methods, EVOO is rich in flavor, antioxidants, and has less than 0.8% acidity.
Cold Pressed:
Refers to oil extracted at temperatures under 27°C (80°F), ensuring the retention of nutrients like polyphenols, vitamin E, and oleic acid.
According to the International Olive Council, these labels guarantee the oil’s quality and bioactive benefits (IOC, 2024).
How to Choose the Right Olive Oil
Look for:
Labels that say “Extra Virgin” and “Cold Pressed”
Dark glass bottles to prevent oxidation
Harvest date (not just expiration)
A green-golden color and slightly peppery taste (that tingle means antioxidants are active!)
🔗 Try This Next:
Ready to go beyond the bottle?
✨ Grab the free Rooted Mama Herbal Starter Guide
Includes recipes with olive oil as the base for DIY skincare and herbal wellness.
👉 [Download it here]
→ Explore more: [Waterless Beauty: Why It Matters]
📚 References (APA Style)
Beauchamp, G. K., et al. (2005). Phytochemistry of Oleocanthal: Discovery of a naturally occurring nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compound. Nature, 437, 45. https://www.nature.com/articles/437045a
Visioli, F., & Galli, C. (2002). Olive oil polyphenols: their role in preventing and reducing oxidative stress. Nutrition Reviews, 60(5), 131–137. https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/79/12/1362/6133931
Martinez-Gonzalez, M. A., et al. (2014). Benefits of the Mediterranean diet: Insights from the PREDIMED Study. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 58(1), 50–60. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128195284000444
Ziboh, V. A., et al. (2000). Nutritional and topical use of olive oil: Its biological benefits for skin. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 1(1), 1-10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23938309
Milella, R. A., et al. (2021). The health benefits of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds. Pharmaceuticals, 14(6), 537. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8257351/
Pérez-Jiménez, F., et al. (2005). Bioactive compounds in olive oil and their health benefits. Public Health Nutrition, 8(12A), 1638–1644. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16488419/
International Olive Council (IOC). (2024). https://www.internationaloliveoil.org/
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