Olive oil: the painkiller with side-benefits - The Real Olive Company (2024)

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Olive oil: the painkiller with side-benefits - The Real Olive Company? ›

Olives and their oil contain a substance called oleocanthal which acts like a painkilling drug, only with beneficial side effects. You would need to have four tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil to get the analgesic effects of just ten per cent of ibuprofen, which isn't so useful.

Extra virgin olive oil's anti-inflammatory properties help fight arthritis. While tasting extra-virgin olive oils in Sicily nearly two decades ago, Gary Beauchamp, now emeritus director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, noticed a ticklish, peppery sensation in the back of his throat.

Ingesting 50 grams (about 3½ tablespoons) per day of EVOO corresponds to an intake of about 9mg of olecanthal which is about 10% of the ibuprofen dosage recommended for adult pain relief. It is known that regular low doses of aspirin, another COX inhibitor, results in cardiovascular and other health benefits.

Always dilute essential oils (a few drops) in 1 ounce (oz) of carrier oil, such as olive oil. Applying these diluted oils to the affected area can reduce stinging and tingling pains from peripheral neuropathy.

Extra virgin olive oil can reduce inflammation, which may be one of the main reasons for its health benefits. Olive oil's main anti-inflammatory effects are from antioxidants, one of which is oleocanthal. This antioxidant has been shown to work like ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug.

They may help with arthritis because they have anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties. Six of the more common types are eucalyptus, ginger, curcumin, copaiba, orange, and lavender. Using the oils is simple, whether you massage them into the skin or inhale them (known as aromatherapy).

It can reduce inflammation. Those that suggest that the extra virgin olive oil intake should be on an empty stomach believe that by taking it in the morning, you will be helping your digestive system to wake up and therefore better absorb the nutrients in your system.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking olive products if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use amounts greater than the amount commonly found in foods. Diabetes: Olive oil might lower blood sugar.

If you are already eating a balanced diet that includes olive oil, drinking it straight won't provide any health benefits. It will only add excess fat and calories to your daily intake.

Is olive oil a painkiller? ›

Olives and their oil contain a substance called oleocanthal which acts like a painkilling drug, only with beneficial side effects. You would need to have four tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil to get the analgesic effects of just ten per cent of ibuprofen, which isn't so useful.

There's no single recipe for the best oils to use. The research mentioned above included lavender, bergamot, tea tree, geranium, rosemary, blue chamomile, and lemon eucalyptus oils. Other studies show that bergamot, cinnamon, geranium, ginger, lavender, and lemongrass essential oils may help ease pain.

All you'll need are two to three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and you're all set. Rub the olive oil onto your sore joints twice per day to ease pain. You can also ingest the two to three tablespoons of olive oil daily, but monitor your fat intake as this oil is high in calories and “good” fat.

Additionally, the polyphenol extract found in extra virgin olive oil can decrease joint edema, cell migration, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion. Introducing olive oil into your meal plans could significantly decrease arthritis pain and inflammation symptoms.

As a general rule of thumb, between one and two tablespoons a day is a good amount of olive oil to consume. This goes for both olive oil that you drink for health benefits and also olive oil that you consume with food as part of your regular cooking process.

How much: Two to three tablespoons daily. Why: Olive oil is loaded with heart-healthy fats, as well as oleocanthal, which has properties similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). “Oleocanthal inhibits activity of COX enzymes, with a pharmacological action similar to ibuprofen,” says Ordovás.

Extra-virgin olive oil can be used for more than just cooking. Rubbing a small amount on arthritic joints can ease the pain. This type of oil contains the same inflammatory enzymes as Advil. Researchers have found that 1 ½ teaspoons are equal to 200-mg of ibuprofen.

Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. Due to this, it retains its natural antioxidants and vitamins, which are often lost during processing. This makes it a more healthful oil than regular olive oil but also makes it a little more expensive.

Oil. Let's be clear: not all oils are bad for you! However, there are certain oils that have been shown to increase inflammation, namely: corn, sunflower, soy, and vegetable oil.