Historically and biblically olive oil is known to be used for different purposes due to it beneficial properties. James, one of the apostles instructed that a sick person must be anointed with oil (James 5:14).
“Is 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:” – James 5:14
While the verse did not particularly mention that olive oil must be used, we will find in Exodus 30:22-25 that it is used as the base oil and mixed with other natural ingredients to make an annointing oil.
“23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and oil olive in:
25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil.” – Exodus 30:23-25
In different verses, we would also find that olive oil (Olea europaea) is used for anointing. Hence, we conclude that olive oil is the oil that’s also being used for anointing the sick. To know more about how olive oil is used for anointing, read this post. (LINK)
This article will look at how a Greek physician during the Roman Period used different kinds of olive oil due to their medicinal properties
Olive Oil Production
The two ways to make olive oil are by beating or squeezing the olive oil and trodden them out through the feet. (1)
Kinds of Olive Oil
1. New oil from unripe olive berries
To obtain the best oil, olive fruit must be harvested before they are fully ripe and made into an oil hence called ‘fresh oil” (1) This is congruent with the notes of Dioscorides in De Materia Medica. He purported that Elaion Omotribes or new oil from unripe olives is suited and effective for making ointments because the best olive oil to use for health is the oil from the unripe olives (2). This kind of olive oil helps with problems related to stomach, bowels, and loose gums. It can also be useful in teeth strengthening as well as excessive sweating. (2) New oil from unripe olive have a sweet smell. (2)
2. Old Olive Oil
Elaion Koinon or old olive oil has the most fat. (2) It helps in the digestive system, especially in the obstruction of the intestine and purging worms. It has a softening strength effect thus making other ingredients less potent, and even used as an antidote for poisons. It is also good to be blended when making ointments and eye salves as it helps in sharpening the eyesight (2)
Topically applied old olive oil benefits
It has the most fat hence more heating compared to new olive oil. It is warming and prevents you from easily getting chilled during the cool weather. Old olive oil also softens flesh and it ‘violently disperses’. (2)
3. Wild Olive Oil
Wild Olive Oil or Elaion Agrias Elaias (Olea sylvestris var oleaster ) is more useful for skin care and hair. It is astringent thus helps in parasitic skin diseases and psoriasis. It also prevents sweating. It is useful for hair care by helping with falling hair caused by alopecia. Daily application of wild olive oil prevents hair from going gray easily. Aside from prolongs the prevention of gray hair, it also helps in cleaning off dandruff. Other medicinal uses of wild olive oil are for easing headaches (2)
The wild olive tree is also known as the Ethiopian olive tree. Its third pressing is also called tree oil or Dakruon Elias aithiopikes (2) It is good for the eyes as it moisturizes them, and cleans scars and white spots on the cornea of the eyes. (2) It induces the flow of urine and menstruation blood. It is also useful and said to be effective for toothache. For skincare, it can cure skin diseases such as skin infections like impetigo, and lepra or psoriasis. (2)
Another wild olive oil identified by Dioscorides is Elaiomeli. It is produced by using young olive shoots. For wild olive oil, Dioscorides recommended that its old oil has a thicker and fatter texture and is not cloudy hence the best. It aids in health problems such as dyspepsia as well as the bile fluid secreted through the bowels, and eases painful nerves. It is also good for leprosy. Its side effects though include being sluggish and not getting easily sexually stimulated or ‘deficient in virility’. Despite that it has some side effects, they are not disturbing.
The people from the past know the wonders of olive oil. That’s why if you’re looking for natural cosmetics, it’s a good indication if it also contains olive oil.
Encourage natural healing 💋❤
References:
- (1) Illustrated Bible Dictionary by Matthew George Easton via My Bible App
- (2) TA Osbaldeston, RPA Wood., The Herbal of Dioscorides the Greek (Modern English Version) 2000
- (3) King James Bible Version
Oil Therapy 