THE HISTORY OF OLIVE OIL
The olive tree has been a symbol of peace and beauty for millennia and is native to the Mediterranean. It was the official emblem of Athens and was revered by the ancient Greeks; an olive branch is even depicted on the Acropolis.
While we associate the olive with peace and prosperity, it also denotes victory (and he who is victorious may dream of wearing an olive crown), fruitfulness, and luck for the harvest. The Mediterranean lifestyle is rich with olives for food, while its oil is used to drizzle on salads, to cook with, and as a natural beauty ointment. Olive oil is a wonderful moisturizer when applied to the skin and hair. This liquid gold panacea has been cultivated since 6000 BC, was famously written about by the great poet, Homer, and became a major trading commodity in the Middle Ages between Europe and the Islamic world.
Just a spoonful or two of extra virgin olive oil a day can help keep the doctor away. Just ask one of the world’s greatest beauties who’s aged like a fine wine: Sophia Loren. The golden elixir has been her secret to longevity and lasting beauty for years. Olive oil is something so common that you can find in your kitchen—yet so highly esteemed. A large part of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle consists of consuming olive oil (as the cornerstone good fats) on salads and meals prepared with whole grains, fish, and nuts. Olive oil is filled with antioxidants and monounsaturated fats that are heart-healthy; this is particularly good for reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases associated with nutrition, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
The beauty and skincare industries have witnessed a resurgence in simple and organic yet effective ingredients over the past few years, and olive oil has taken center stage. High in Vitamin E, this age-old secret dates back to ancient civilizations as a mighty moisturizing agent and anti-inflammatory supplement. It softens the skin without leaving a greasy trace and is ideal for everything from calloused feet to dry cuticles and split ends. When used in the bath, it leaves you feeling cocooned in a suppleness and is especially beneficial as a hair mask for enviably shiny tresses. Some even use olive oil as a main component in DIY facial masks (along with avocado), as a nail soak, and even as a sustainable lip balm.
Nabila K offers a soap specially prepared with only four ingredients (water and laurel, argan and olive oils) aptly called “Aleppo.” “Aleppo, a city with a history that stretches back millennia, is nestled in a region famed for its ancient olive groves.” With the unmistakable essence of laurel intermingled with rich golden oils, this herbaceous, earthy, and even fruity aroma captures the magic of the Mediterranean with its warm, sunny climate and abundance of evergreens. Inspired by the traditional recipe of handmade hard bar soap (that was rumored to be a favorite of Cleopatra and Queen Zenobia of Syria), Nabila K’s “Aleppo” is golden on the outside and green on the inside. Designed for both the body and hair, this is a one-and-done beauty product that cleanses while it moisturizes and improves skin elasticity. This means fewer wrinkles and a plumper, more youthful complexion. Nabila K also offers a Nomad Spice body lotion enriched with the heady scent of thyme, aroma of pomegranates, and richly emollient shea butter and olive oil. Take an exotic journey and arrive without traveling with Nabila K’s luxurious lotion evocative of Mediterranean desert landscapes, elaborate mosaic tiles, and hues like Majorelle blue and terracotta.
For more on Nabila K’s products—the brand and lifestyle—and olive oil for health and beauty, check out the website and links below:
https://nabilak.com/product/aleppo-mediterranean-soap-with-laurel-argan-olive-oils
https://nabilak.com/product/nomad-spice-body-lotion-shea-butter-olive-oil
https://www.verywellhealth.com/extra-virgin-olive-oil-11830391