6 Outstanding Ways to Use Olive Oil for Healthier Hair and Skin

While extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) tastes mighty good drizzled over warm bread and fresh salads, don't think that it's just making your tastebuds happy.

Research shows a healthy dose of EVOO in your diet is excellent for cardiovascular, cellular, and brain health. This is the reason why many have gravitated toward the Mediterranean diet, that is centered on eating more vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil.

EVOO can be used topically also: It has anti-aginganti-inflammatory, and ultra-nourishing properties that make it a great ingredient for many salves and serums.

For some ideas on the best way to use olive oil homeopathically, try these six remedies that can help treat common everyday woes.

Protect your heart

Enhance EVOO's heart-healthy properties by infusing it with rosemary, a circulatory stimulant. In a small saucepan, combine 11/2 cups EVOO, 8-10 dried rosemary sprigs, and a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper. Heat until almost simmering; remove from heat and let steep. When cooled, transfer to a bottle. Use in salad dressings, soups, and stews.

Soften dry hands

For an anti-aging hand cream that's deeply moisturizing, combine 1 Tbsp each EVOO and organic ghee (a form of clarified butter used in Indian cooking, available in health food shops ), 1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil, and 5-10 drops of essential oil (sandalwood, lavender, and neroli are all soothing). Massage into hands, nails, and cuticles. Slip on cotton gloves for 30-60 minutes or overnight.

Get a healthy shave

Create a shaving oil with antibacterial abilities by adding 5-10 drops of cedarwood essential oil (naturally antiseptic and anti-inflammatory) to 1/2 cup of EVOO in a small plastic container. It's super-moisturizing, so no need to wash it off--just gently rub any excess instead of applying lotion.

Heal minor cuts and scrapes

Using olive oil's antiseptic and antibacterial properties, you can whip up a homemade version of Neosporin. To make the salve, you are going to need EVOO, coconut oil, calendula and lavender herbs, beeswax, tea tree and lavender oil, as well as a double boiler.

Soothe diaper rash

Since EVOO has the capability to reduce itching and skin irritation, it makes a great ingredient for homeopathic diaper rash ointments. Mix 1 cup of EVOO, 1 cup of coconut oil, and 4 Tbsp beeswax in warm water. Then combine 8 drops lavender essential oil, 6 drops lemon essential oil, 4 drops tea tree essential oil into four, 4-oz. jars. When the EVOO, coconut oil and beeswax have melted together, pour the mix into each jar and wait till the salve hardens.

Treat damaged hair

Try this pre-poo treatment to fix those split ends: First warm up some EVOO in hot water or in the microwavethen apply the olive oil from the ends of your hair to the roots. Leave it in your hair for 10-20 minutes before you wash it out with your favorite hydrating shampoo.

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