Unexpected benefits of olive oil
The olive tree is a culture, our culture
AOVE (Aceite de Oliva Virgen Extra) s known as “liquid gold”, in reality, if we consider its health benefits, it is far more valuable than gold and, without a doubt, it is a pillar of our culture and of what we could call the Iberian “art of living”. In its most prized variety, extra virgin, olive oil is both a superfood and a super-cosmetic, obtained from an emblematic tree: the olive tree..
It may seem incredible today, but more than a thousand years ago, at the height of the Caliphate of Córdoba, forest cover reached its greatest extent in the entire history of the Iberian Peninsula, and agriculture achieved its greatest splendour, without the need for hectares of plastic greenhouses. Al-Andalus was a garden, and the olive tree was king. The Sevillian scholar and jurist Ibn Abdun, wrote in the 11th century: “Agriculture is the foundation of civilisation, and on it depend life itself and its main advantages.” It is no coincidence that the Andalusians are considered precursors of ecology. If only we maintained that same spirit today.
That botanical exuberance was due to an incredible water intelligence, another form of wisdom we should recover. Water, the other liquid revered in Al-Andalus, flowed through orchards and gardens via irrigation channels, cisterns, pools and fountains, like a true circulatory system that gave life to vines, citrus trees and olive trees, the most emblematic crops, which have remained so to this day.
EVOO NOURISHES, BEAUTIFIES AND REJUVENATES
Yes, all of that and more. From Averroes to the best contemporary nutritionists, not forgetting the legendary Grande Covián,EVOO is the king ingredient of the Mediterranean diet. What makes this oil different from all others, apart from its flavour and its ability to enhance practically any other food, is that it is an antioxidant, renewing and rejuvenating powerhouse, thanks to its extraordinary content of phenols, essential fatty acids and vitamin E. These contribute to improving intestinal flora, preventing heart disease and also other conditions such as diabetes or cognitive decline.
At El Jardín de Hammam, we use the purest variety of EVOO in the formulation of our aceites corporales, rich in vitamin E, polyphenols and essential fatty acids that nourish and protect the skin. We also use other active ingredients derived from olives or olive leaves, such as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein extracts, which are present in the Crema de Jabón Negro. But we have also carried out research to discover some uses of extra virgin olive oil that you may not expect.
TIPS TO ENJOY EVOO, OUR LIQUID GOLD, EVEN MORE
A delicious antioxidant fruit salad: well-peeled oranges and thoroughly washed white grapes with their skin on. Add a syrup made with a generous tablespoon of Andalusian extra virgin olive oil, of course, one tablespoon of rosemary honey and another tablespoon of sherry wine. Stir everything well until all the ingredients are fully blended, then pour it over the fruit. To enjoy it even more, savour it slowly while listening to good music.
A super-invigorating tea to drink on an empty stomach, half an hour before eating anything else: Té Rooibos con naranja to which we will add grated ginger and a tablespoon of EVOO. It not only hydrates and protects the digestive tract, but also stimulates intestinal flora and provides essential nutrients to start the day well.
A night mask that repairs the signs of fatigue from the day and works to ensure your face looks radiant the next morning: in a large, perfectly clean spoon, place a hazelnut-sized amount of Crema Hidratante
Revitalizante Rosa Eterna,add a few drops de AOVE de la
mejor calidad and a few drops Agua Micelar
Revitalizante Eternal Rose which is rich in rose water and cucumber extract. Mix everything thoroughly and apply it to your entire, perfectly clean face, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, preferably while lying on your back in a relaxed position; this is a good time to breathe calmly and tune into your body. After that time has passed, and before drifting off to a restful sleep, remove any excess mask that the skin hasn’t absorbed—you can use a cotton pad.
A foot bath to relax, moisturize, and restore softness to your feet: prepare a basin large enough to hold both feet with very hot water, to which you’ll add iodized salt. Apply a layer of Crema de Jabón Negro massaging it thoroughly into your feet, including between the toes. Wait about 15 minutes, then dry your feet very well so no moisture remains between the toes. Now give yourself—or ask someone to give you—a short foot massage with Aceite Hidro-Nutritivo Rosal en Calma, which contains a high percentage of EVOO along with six other ultra-nourishing plant oils: Hazelnut, Almond, Argan, wheat germ, jojoba, and grape seed oils, combined with rose and rosewood essential oils… this will be a moment of profound well-being, a delight for the senses, and complete relaxation for the feet that carry us every day.
IMPORTANT: It is essential to always take into account each person’s physical condition, any potential skin conditions, and any medical prescriptions they may require. Cosmetic products are not medications and do not cure any ailments; rather, they contribute to the skin’s well-being and beauty, help enhance sensitivity, and provide self-care routines that have a positive impact on our mood.