During biblical times, olives were one of the most important crops. In addition to being used for food, they were crushed and made into cooling oil, fuel for lamps, medicine to soothe cuts or bruises or dress wounds, and used as a skin moisturizer. Olives are still used that way today.
The Mount of Olives, a prominent place in Bible times, is covered with dense olive groves. The name "Gethsemane" means "oil press".
The Aramites revered it as a blessed tree and the Canaanite and Philistines tried to spread its cultivation. There are Egyptian reliefs with images of olive trees.
Oil from the olive crops was and still is used for cooking, ointments, medicines, and perfumes.
Health benefits of olive oil include: aiding in the growth of normal bones; reducing bad cholesterol levels, and the risk of gallstones development; and preventing constipation.
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Comments
Olive trees can in the right conditions live five hundred years or more, which explains why they may have been a symbol for longevity, as Psalm 128 blesses Israelites with the promise that their children will be "like the shoots of the olive around your table." There were two olive trees reputed to be over 2000 years old. One was the olive tree under which Plato was said to have taught his students 2400 years ago, but this was destroyed when a bus hit it. The other was Pisistratus' olive, named after the tyrant of Athens, thought to have been 2500 years old. I have heard, but not been able to confirm that Plato's olive began to sprout from one of the few remaining roots.
@Tolovaj - Yes. It was new to me when I found out about it as well. But the pieces are so very lovely. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a few words. It's good to hear from you. Happy New Year!
I have heard a lot of great things about olive oil and it's a regular in my kitchen. Olive wood art is new to me. It's amazing! Thanks for sharing this article:)
Looks like the good old olive tree has many uses other than the olive oil. The carving is beautiful - love the art.
@Holistic_Health - I didn't know it was a cottage industry in Palestine and that the monks who came there showed the locals how to make some money. That's why I liked to read the mystery books and also watch the series about Brother Cadfael. Yeah it's a work on fiction but it's based on facts. Catholic monks are really smart.
Thanks for visiting!
Had no idea olive wood was used for carving. Nice one!
- My late mother always kept a bottle of olive oil on hand. Strangest thing though. She never cooked with it. She used it for medicinal purposes. When I grew up and discovered how tasty olive oil was, I'm like: "Mom! (???)"
Thanks for visiting @Tolovaj. :)
Olive oil is essential component of every kitchen. Not just for cooking. It has many health and cosmetic benefits too. It is not a surprise to give so much importance to olive tree in history. Thanks for all the interesting info.
@DerdriuMarriner - Very easy to understand. Thanks for your comments. As always, it's a pleasure.
cmoneyspinner, Olives are always a refreshing treat for me. It's such a storied tree, with so many spiritual associations and connotations. It's easy to understand that this tree would be connected with angels.