Ibn al-Qayyim: The Benefits of Olive Oil

Ibn al-Qayyim described the benefits of olive oil in his Prophetic Medicine. He said that the characteristics of olive oil corresponded to the type of olives from which it came from; oil pressed from ripe olives was the better than oil from unripe olives. He also said that the older the oil, the more effective it was, and when olive oil was more beneficial when it was pressed with water.
Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that all types of olive oil could soften the skin and delay whitening of the hair. He also said that the benefits of olive oil were many times greater than have been mentioned.

He gave some Prophetic Hadith on the benefits of using olive oil:

The Messenger (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) said: "Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it is from a blessed tree." (Tirmidhi At'ima, 43)
:

And also

"

Eat olive oil with your bread, and oil yourselves with it, for it is from a blessed tree." (Ibn Maja, At'ima, 34

Olive and Olive oil Facts Olives are the fruits that grow on the olive tree, which comes from the Oleaceae family. They contain a single pit and their flesh is filled with oil. The ripe fruits are pressed to extract the oil.

Green and black olives are essentially the same olive and only vary in the degree of ripeness- black being the most ripe.

Olive oil consists of 75% heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and only 13% saturated fat. It contains active compounds such as oleocanthal, which has a strong anti-inflammatory action to fight heart-disease and cancer. It also contains the natural antioxidants polyphenols, whose beneficial effects include lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and the risk of coronary heart disease. Many other nut and seed oils have no polyphenols whatsoever.

Health Benefits


Cancer Prevention
Evidence suggests that olive and olive oil consumption as part of a healthy Mediterranean diet has cancer-protective properties. Research also found that active ingredients in olive oil prevented human colon cancer cells from multiplying.


High Blood Pressure
A study published in 2007 in the Journal of Nutrition found that introducing moderate consumption of olive oil in the diet reduced systolic blood pressure.

Olive oil Facts


For the highest antioxidant content, choose  extra-virgin  or  virgin  olive oil- these are the least processed forms.

Extra-virgin comes from the first pressing of the olives and has a superior taste.

Virgin olive oil is obtained by pressing the crushed fruit in bags and removing the oil. It has a geeenish tint and has a stronger taste than virgin olive oil.

Olive oils with labels such as 'refined oil' 'pomace olive oil' or 'light oil' should be avoided as they are not always 100% olive oil. Pomace is the ground flesh and pits after pressing.

Use olive oil for low-temperature cooking. The particles in the oil will burn at higher temperatures, thus burning off the many health benefits.

Store your olive oil away from heat and light to maintain phytochemical content.

References for further information
http://www.healthymuslim.com/art ... ts-of-olive-oil.cfm

Thanks for sharing and indeed very useful Info there - greenideas

Retail grades in IOOC member nations. The US is not a member. A lot of brands are adulterated only Extra Virgin & Virgin are good for consumption...but have low shelf life....the others are adulterated to increase its shelf life.

    * Extra-virgin olive oil comes from virgin oil production only.
    * Virgin olive oil comes from virgin oil production only.
    * Pure olive oil. Oils labeled as Pure olive oil or Olive oil are usually a blend of
       refined and virgin production oil.
    * Olive oil is a blend of virgin and refined production oil.
    * Olive-pomace oil is refined pomace olive production oil. Olive-pomace oil is rarely
       sold at retail; it is often used for certain kinds of cooking in restaurants.
    * Lampante oil is olive oil not suitable as food; lampante comes from olive oil's
       long-standing use in oil-burning lamps. Lampante oil is mostly used in the
       industrial market.

Olive oil is one of the best oils.....it is the only oil that doesn't become thick even at winter time....So I think it can be used instead of creams on skin and also as Engine oil in your car...and also as fuel in a Diesel car...

Many people say Olive oil should not be used for cooking? But used as toppings...

I wonder if it is true? I would like to know if it was traditionally used for cooking?

Jazakhalla Khair sis Greenideas..fab post! Indeed if the Best of mankind,Peace be upon him,  speaks so highly of its health properties we know for sure its a good thing! I for 1 use olive oil a lot in both cooking & topping. Of course been a health freak I stick to extra virgin only. My daughter to loves Olive oil slathered on rice or even bread so Alhamdullilah!

Thank you very much Greenideas Jazak Allah kher.  Johnson I heard from Doctor Oz that Olive oil is not good for cooking , we have to use it for toppings. im also looking to know about it.

jazaki allaho kola khair

same here Hl and Johnson, once oil is cooked heated it looses its benefits, oive oil is best used without heating it. Also olive oil is great for getting rid of instant bruises. Once my son hit his head  instantly bruised and lumoed, my sister in law put oilve oil on the lump and bruised and the lump dissapared instantly, i was shocked as if someone had told me that i wouldnt have believed it.