While I was writing this post, I didn’t know the details that I will be able to read from the research papers I used as references. As I repeatedly mentioned, my focus is only to present reliable research results about oils, because Oil therapy Code is dedicated to Essential Oils and not to some synthetic substances. I just want to write everything about the effects of olive oil, but it didn’t occur to me that some details might be confusing to certain people. There are parts that are omitted here to avoid any misinterpretations that I am advising some other methods of application such as rectal insertion or mixing it with other synthetically made medicines. I want to emphasize that Oil therapy Code is only endorsing and following topical application of Essential oils.
Upon reading research results, I’ve seen the consistent efficacy of olive oil in constipation. Because ‘I’ am truly convinced that olive oil is effective, there’s no reason for me to review back some literature that’s not based on research results, nor call someone who does not have a solid knowledge about oils to verify that olive oil is effective. I prefer focusing on research results that have proven the effects of essential oils based on clinical trials.
Researchers I’ve read proves the efficacy of olive oil, Ergo, it is my choice of treatment for my tummy.
In this post, you will see the different ways in which Olive oil has been administered. But let me just clarify that olive oil is considered a vegetable oil or base oil, hence the changes being talked about here are caused by a vegetable oil.
For Essential oils, you can visit our post about lavender which shows its unchanging efficacy despite that it has been tested in different clinical trials.
1. Abdominal massage using olive oil
This Iranian single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial determined the effect of abdominal massage with extra-virgin olive oil on constipation among the elderly. 52 individuals aged ranged from 60-93 and defecating less than three times a week were enrolled in the study. They were residing at nursing homes in Shiraz, Iran from November 2018 to March 2019. The participants were assigned into three groups, yet all of the patients received the prescribed medications from the nursing home. The intervention for the first group included abdominal massage with 20 milliliters of extra virgin olive oil. It was administered once a day, for 15 minutes, at a specific period between 8 to 11 am for five consecutive days. A trained masseur performed an abdominal massage that’s based on the guidelines of the National Health System. The massage was carried out at a 2-4 cm depth by the masseur and was performed by following these eight steps: (1)
- 1- Three movements from the pubic symphysis to the navel
- 2- Three movements from the two sides of the pelvis toward the pubic symphysis
- 3- Right wise rotation from the pubic symphysis to the surroundings
- 4- Small rotation in the left lower abdomen
- 5- Repetition of step 4 in higher parts and the entire abdomen
- 6- Repetition of steps 4 and 5
- 7- Horizontal movement of the abdomen from left to right
- 8- Vibrations at all above points.
Meanwhile, the second group underwent the same eight steps of abdominal massage using water. The schedule and protocol for their intervention treatment were the same as the first group except that they used water instead of olive oil. Meanwhile, the control group did not receive any specific interventions. The constipation severity of the participants was assessed before the intervention and on the sixth day by a research assistant who was unaware of the study groups (1)
Before the intervention, there were no differences in the constipation severity among the three groups, however, after the intervention, a significant difference was observed. Comparing the pre-intervention and after-intervention constipation severity of the participants showed that the massage with extra-virgin olive oil group and massage with water group reduced constipation severity. Moreover, it was seen that constipation further decreased in the olive oil group than in the massage with water and the control group. Meanwhile, the control group’s constipation severity from before the intervention to after five days increased. Moreover, after the intervention, there was also a significant difference in abdominal distension or bloating, rectal gas pass amount changes, rectal fullness or pressure, small stool volume, and inability to pass stool among the three groups. (1)
The researchers also found out that the decrease in constipation severity of massage with olive oil group can be attributed to the absorption of oil via abdominal skin while being massage. It is effective because when the skin absorbed an aromatic oil, our body reacts to it in multiple ways. It affects us physiologically as oils can make us more relaxed or stimulated. It can also affect us psychologically when we smell it. Meanwhile, it influences us pharmacologically, when chemical and hormonal changes occur when oils enter the blood. (1)
2. Ingested olive oil
A double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial in 2015 compared the effects of olive oil, and flaxseed oil with mineral oil on constipation among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Fifty constipated patients who are above 18 years old and were having Hemodialysis therapy for at least 3 months in a single dialysis unit were recruited in the study. The patients were allocated into three groups, the control group which received mineral oil, the olive oil group, and flaxseed oil. Participants were initially required to consume an oil dose of 4 mL per day, however, if it’s needed, adjustments were made during follow-up. The intervention program duration was 4 weeks. Results of this study showed that the constipation severity of all groups has improved. Defecating frequency and consistency of stools have improved in the flaxseed oil group. Meanwhile, for those who have a constipation score of 5 from 6 constipation symptoms were reduced similarly in mineral oil and olive oil groups. Hence it’s been found that olive oil and flaxseed oil is as effective as mineral oil in the treatment of constipation in patients undergoing hemodialysis (2)
The researches presented in this post is only written to show the efficacy of olive oil. Honestly, there’s no other purpose as to why the details here were included and written the way they were written. It’s not intended to treat, nor diagnose some diseases.
Focus on Essential oils efficacy and its topical application❤
References:
- (1) Faghihi A, Najafi SS, Hashempur MH, Najafi Kalyani M. The Effect of Abdominal Massage with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on Constipation among Elderly Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. IJCBNM. 2021;9(4):268-277. doi 10.30476/ijcbnm.2021.88206.1495.
- (2) Ramos C.I., De Lima A.F.A, Grilli D.G, Cuppari L. The Short-Term Effects of Olive Oil and Flaxseed Oil for the Treatment of Constipation in Hemodialysis Patients. Journal of Renal Nutrition 2015; 25(1):50-56. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2014.07.009(Abstract)
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