Olive Oil's Cosmetic and Therapeutic Properties

Ancient Greeks and Romans used olive oil to care for their bodies. Almost all men and women, young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor, used it a few times a day. Oil was spread all over the body before and after bathing. At first its function was only that of soap, then it was used as a moisturizer, enriched with aromas obtained from herbs and flowers.

Those with dry hair and skin were considered dirty. For this reason people bathed and moisturized their entire bodies with oil at least once a day in order to cultivate a healthy appearance. At first these ointments obtained from the combination of olive oil and herbs or flowers were imported from the Orient, then they were produced in Greece and later on in the Roman Empire. Typically, a noblewoman would bathe three times a day, while a Greek playboy would bathe at least five times!

The Egyptians manufactured perfumes and ointments of all types, and Cleopatra was known for using a variety of perfumes and cosmetics. Many of them used olive oil as a base, usually from colorless, tasteless, unscented olives picked well before they were ripe (about three months too early), in August.

This care of the body also had a practical reason: oil forms a protective film over the skin thus shielding the pores from infiltrations of dirt and dust. In addition, oil is a bad thermal conductor that guards the skin from excessive cold. The numerous containers for olive oil made of different materials like gold, silver, marble, ivory, or wood, are a testament to the ancient cult for cleanliness and the use of emulsifiers.

It is not clear if the silver vase above, decorated with olive branches and olives, was used as a container for aromatic oils, edible olive oil, olives or wine. Preserved at Naples National Museum, the vase was found with 118 other pieces that were part of a dining set recovered in the excavation of the Menander House in Pompeii. The vase dates back to the Imperial period and was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that took place in the 1st century. Olive oil wasn't used only for the production of aromatic moisturizer, but also as an ointment for wounds and curative pomades. Such ointments were used to treat bleeding wounds, insect bites, headaches, tired eyes or any other parts of the body that needed to be disinfected. It was also used in cases of poisoning, stomach problems and even pregnancy. In the Bible, Moses uses olive oil to cure lepers.

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