Olive oil: Health benefits, nutritional information

  Olive oil: Health benefits, nutritional information

Names

1. In Quran, Hadees & Arabic olive is called as Zaitun (الزيتون) . 2. In Hadees, its oil is called as Zait (زيت) . 

3. In English it is called as Olive.

4. In Persian, Hindi & Urdu it is called as Zaitun.

5. In Latin it is called as Olea europaea Linn.

6. Family is Oleaceae

Quranic references of olive (Zaitun / Zait): -

1. Chapter 6. (Sura) An'am (انعام ) verse no. 99 & 141.

2. Chapter 16. (Sura) Nahl (نحل ) verse no. 11.

3. Chapter 23. (Sura) Mu'minun (موءمنون ) verse no. 20.

4. Chapter 24. (Sura) Noor (نُر ) verse no. 35.

5. Chapter 80. (Sura) Abasa (عبس ) verse no. 29.

6. Chapter 95. (Sura) Teen (تي ) verse no. 1.

In Quran, olive is mentioned 7 times (6 times directly mentioned by the name of Zaitun & 1 time in chapter Mu-minun in indirect reference as “A tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil & benefits to those who use it as food”.

Amongst the 6 direct references in Quran, 2 times it is mentioned alone & 4 times with other fruits like Dates, Pomegranate, Grapes & Figs.

Prophet ﷺ’s guidance about Zaitun (Olive) الزيتون : -

Benefits & Merits of Olive oil: -

1. Hazrat Umar Bin Khattab  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ said, “Use Zait

(زيت) (Olive oil) in eating & massage the body with it, for it comes from a precious (مباركة) (blessed) tree.

[Tirmizi: 1851; Book. 25; English vol. 3; Book. 23; Hadees. 1851]

2. Hazrat Uqba Bin Aamir  ؓ Nabi ﷺ said “For you Zaitoon blessed tree oil is present, treat by it (oil) so that it cures Basoor (الباسور) .

(Basoor is piles). [Abu Nu-aim/Al-tibbun Nabawi: 463.]

3. Hazrat Umar  says that Nabi ﷺ said treat with Zait (زيت)  (Olive oil), eat & massage with it (oil) because it is Mubarak (مباركة ) (blessed) tree.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3444; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29; Hadees. 3319]

4. Hazrat Abu Hurairah  ؓ says that eat Zait (زيت)  (Olive oil) & massage (with it) in it there is cure for 70 (سبعي ) diseases, including Juzaam

(الجذام) . (Juzaam means leprosy) (kodh) or a severe skin disease

[Abu Nu-aim/Al Zait: 684]

5. Abdullah Bin Saeed narrated that his grandfather said:“I heard Abu Hurairah  ؓ saying that Rasoolullah ﷺ said, Eat Zait (زيت)  (Olive oil) & apply it (on body) because it is Mubarak (مباركة )  (blessed).

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3445; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29; Hadees. 3320]

6. Nabi ﷺ said who massages with Zait (زيت)  (olive oil) shaitaan (evil) do not comes near him. [Abu Nu-aim/Al Zait: 685]

7. Hazrat Zaid Bin Arqam  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ advised, as a treatment for pleurisy (الجنب ذات ) (zaatul-janb), Memecylon (ورس ) (Warss), Costus (قسط ) (Qust), & Olive oil (زيت ) (Zait) & take at one side of mouth (يُلَّد ).

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3596; Book. 31; English vol. 4; Book. 31, Hadees. 3467]

Means the preparation should be taken at the side of the mouth to which side the problem in the body is, means if the problem is at the right side of the body than take the preparation at the right side of the mouth. Means treat pleurisy with Warss, costus & olive oil. Warss & Costus are herbs. Please refer lesson no. 32 Warss & lesson no. 24 Qust learn about them.

8. Maimun Abu Abdullah said: "I heard Zaid Bin Arqam  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ ordered us to use white costus (القسط البحرى) & olive oil (زيت)  for pleurisy ( ذات الجنب ).

[Tirmizi: 2223; Book. 28; English vol: 4; Book. 2; Hadees. 2079]

9. Qatadah narrated from Abu Abdullah that Zaid Bin Arqam  ؓ said that Nabi ﷺ would acclaim olive oil ( ال زَّيْتَّ ) & Memecylon ( الْوَّرْسَّ ) (Warss) for (the treatment of) pleurisy." Qatadah said: "And it is put in the mouth on the side which he is suffering."

[Tirmizi: 2222; Book. 28, English vol. 4; Book. 2, Hadees. 2078]

10. Hazrat Khalid Ibn Saad  ؓ says that I & Ghalib Ibn Jabar  ؓ were travelling & Ghalib Ibn Jabar  ؓ fell ill, Than we reached Madinah, Ibn Abi Ateeq  ؓ visited him, (because Ghalib Ibn Jabar was ill) Ibn Abi Ateeq  ؓ was nephew of Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها & advice to use 5 or 7 seeds of Black Caraway (Kalonji) (الْبةالسوداء)crushed & mix in little olive oil (زيت ) & put the preparation in both nostrils. Ibn Abi Ateeq  ؓ says that he heard Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها saying that Rasoolullah ﷺ said that Habbat Sauda (الْبةالسوداء) (black seed) has cure for every diseases except death & Hazrat Galib Ibn Jabar  ؓ got well.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3575; Book. 31; English vol. 4; Book. 31, Hadees. 3449]

11. Hazrat Alqama Bin Aamir  ؓ says that Nabi ﷺ said “For you Zait of Al-Zaitoon (زيت الزيتون ) (Olive oil) is present, use it, in eating & massage because it is beneficial in piles (Bawaseer) (البواسير) ”.

[Kanz al-Ummal: 28295]

 

Contents of Olive: -

Calcium, sodium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc, phyrtosterols, vitamin E, C, K, B-complex, omega 6, linoleic acid & etc.

 

Scientific benefits of Olive: -

1. It protects coronary arteries (heart arteries), reduces cholesterol, blood pressure, controls diabetes, obesity, LDL (bad cholesterol), prevents cancers, breast cancers, stomach cancers, colon cancers, uterus cancer, ovarian cancers, skin cancers etc. It contains vitamin E & acts as an anti oxidant, prevents stroke, depression, reduces plaque formation in coronary arteries & prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries of heart) & helps in healing of wounds.

2. Best for skin as an anti ageing, anti wrinkles, increases tone of skin, cleans internal organs, helpful in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis & osteoarthritis, good for hair, lice problem.

Science & Hadees regarding Olive & Qust: -

Olive medicinal uses: -

Nabi ﷺ recommended the use of olive oil in Pleurisy. Keeping this in view olive oil was administered in various diseases of Respiratory tract & it was observed that the regular use of olive oil was affected in common cold & coryzha & pneumonia.

The medicinal & cosmetic uses of olive products are truly astounding. The oil is extremely nutritious & is recommended by dieticians to “improve the balance of fats within the blood” (Adams, 2001) as well as in lowering cholesterol levels. Since the 1950s, the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, have been extolled. While it has always been promoted as being beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels, it is now increasingly being linked to lowering blood pressure.

A study by Dr. Ferrara & his colleagues of the Frederico II University of Naples, Italy (Ferrera et al., 2000) compared the effects of two similar low-fat diets on the blood pressure of hypertensive patients. One diet was enriched with extra virgin olive oil, high in monounsaturated fatty acids while the second was enriched with the same amount of sunflower oil with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The patients on the former diet, all hypertensive, showed significant reductions in their blood pressure, thereby indicating that a diet, rich in olive oil, is not only associated with lower levels of cholesterol, but with lower blood pressure as well. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan, which promotes a diet low in sodium & high in unsaturated fats, also recommends olive oil (National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, 2003).

Another medical benefit of olive oil relates to the maintenance of a healthy digestive system. Oxford University’s Institute of Health found that “olive oil may have a protective effect on the development of colorectal cancer” (Stoneham et al., 2000).

Olive oil has traditionally been used to prevent constipation, assist in ‘cleansing’ of the gallbladder & in treating various ailments related to skin problems such as burns, scratches & sunburn (Cook, 1934). Cook, wrote in the 1930s, that, “Those who recognize its wonderful medicinal properties & uses, will never fail to keep a bottle of pure olive oil in the house.”

Olive oil is also applied to the skin as it brightens the complexion, softens the skin & is used in the treatment of eczema & psoriasis. It is also used on the hair, especially problems relating to “dry hair & flaky scalp” (Adams, 2001). Furthermore, olive oil is used for massage & as carrier oil when blending essential oils.

The leaf of the olive tree is famous for its antiviral properties. It has been traditionally used to cool fevers by boiling the leaves in water & drinking the decoction. Olive leaf was not only used to treat severe cases of fever, but tropical diseases such as malaria as well. Today, olive leaf extract is available from natural health practitioners & taken orally in a tablet form.

Olive oil: -

 The studies found that people who regularly consume olive oil are much less likely to develop cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke & hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol & triglyceride levels)

 Regular olive oil intake helps reduce inflammation, endothelial dysfunction (problems with the inner linings of blood vessels) thrombosis & carbohydrate metabolism.

 

Olive oil helps to prevent stroke: -

Dr. Cécilia Samieri, from the University of Bordeaux & the National Institute of Health & Medical Research (INSERM) of Bordeaux, France & colleagues reported in the journal Neurology that olive oil may prevent strokes in older people & frying with olive oil does not raise heart disease risk. The team found that older people who regularly used olive oil for cooking & salad dressing or with bread had a 41% lower risk of stroke, compared with their counterparts who never consumed it.

Dr. Samieri said, "Stroke is so common in older people & olive oil would be an inexpensive & easy way to help prevent it."

 

Olive oil may reduce breast cancer risk: -

A team of scientists at the University at Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain found a key mechanism by which virgin olive oil protects the body against breast cancer, in contrast to other vegetable oils. It is also very much helpful in reducing cholesterol levels, Alzheimer’s disease, acute pancreatitis, protects the liver, ulcerative colitis.

Olive oil acts healing on acne & other skin conditions. However, one study noted that squalene, which is in olive oil, may contribute to relief of seborrheic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. One laboratory study reported that a mixture of honey, beeswax & olive oil inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus & Candida albicans, with the same mixture reducin the discomfort of hemorrhoids (piles) & anal fissures (tear in anus) in adults. It is very much beneficial for massaging infants & toddlers.

 

Olive oil in metabolic syndrome: -

The metabolic syndrome is a combination of abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol & high blood sugar. “Metabolic syndrome is connected to the obesity epidemic of our time, a big belly poisons our metabolism & a poisoned metabolism can result in type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, or sudden death,” a leading researcher reported”.

Olive oil which is rich in oleic acid, (mono-unsaturated fatty acid) & contains several bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, high in phenolic antioxidants, Saturated Fat: 13.8%, Monounsaturated Fat: 73% (most of 18 carbon long oleic acid), Omega-6: 9.7%, Omega-3: 0.76%, Vitamin E: 72% of the RDA, Vitamin K: 75% of the RDA, oleocanthal, as well asoleuropein (antioxidants & anti-inflammatory), Some people have criticized olive oil for having a high Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio (over 10:1), but keep in mind that the total amount of polyunsaturated fats is still relatively low, so this shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

 

Qust (costus) & Zait (olive oil) use together: -

Qust is an anti-bacterial herb with a very good effect & olive oil increases its medicinal actions & both enhance action of each other.

 

A research on Qust (costus) for pleurisy (zatul Jamb) & other lungs disease: -

Anti-bacterial effect of Indian costus (Qust ul Hind) & sea-Qust & their water extracts on some pathogenic bacteria of the human respiratory system. AL-Kattan, Manal Othman Faculty of Science (Girls), Department of Microbiology, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Accepted on 4 May, 2012).

The pathogenic bacteria of the human respiratory system are characterized by resistance (medicines do not work) to most antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus & Klebsiella pneumonia are some of the pathogenic bacteria of the human respiratory system which often cause pneumonia, pleurisy & meningitis. Moreover, they are the most prominent strains of bacteria in most hospitals.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics occurs as a result of excessive usage of antibiotics in the treatment of diseases. For that reason, it is necessary to seek for medical alternatives that are safer for the treatment of these bacteria. Alternative medicine, especially, has revealed many plants & herbs that are used in the treatment for some diseases including respiratory diseases.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Indian costus & sea-costus on the pathogenic bacteria; Escherichia-coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus & Klebsiella pneumonia. In addition, the effect of the water extracts of the Indian costus & sea-costus on Staphylococcus aureus & Klebsiella pneumonia was also determined.

Result of the research: -

The results showed antibacterial effect of two types of dried Costus roots on all tested bacteria, especially in high concentrations. Also, the cold or hot water extract of Indian Costus was highly effective against tested bacteria at 20 to 25% concentration, while the hot extract of sea-Qust was more effective against tested bacteria than its cold extract in all the concentrations used.

 

Conclusion of Hadees: -

 

Olive is blessed tree, has barkat in it, eat its oil & apply on body, it cures leprosy, Basoor, best for pleurisy & shaitaan (evil) run away when we use it, can be used in combination of Warss (Memecylon), Qust (costus) etc, should be taken in one side of mouth or put in nose.