OLIVE TREE

Olive trees have been cultivated for thousands of years and can live for a thousand years or more, although 500 years is more common.Olive tree on this pictures that I took it is +100 years old.

 

They can grow up to 50 feet high and can have a spread of 30 feet or more. However, they are usually pruned to 20 feet so that collection of the fruit is easier. Olives are traditionally harvested by shaking the trees and hitting the branches with long poles so that the olives fall into a net or cloth that has been placed under the tree. The olive branch is an internationally recognized symbol of peace.Olive oil and olive leaves are very much a part of the Mediterranean diet, and modern medical research has shown that they are all beneficial to our health. Eating olives or olive oil can help prevent wrinkles, and slow the aging process, can help stop hot flushes in menopausal women, prevent dandruff (rub some oil into a dry scalp), make the hair shiny and healthy, prevent dry skin and acne, stop muscles aching, lower blood pressure and strengthen nails.Olives and their oil are rich in vitamin E. The leaves are full of bioflavonoids and have potent antioxidant properties.

 

THE AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF OLIVE TREE:

Fighting cholesterol
Olive leaf is able to fight the formation of bad cholesterol (LDL) by preventing its oxidation. This oxidized cholesterol is considered the “bad” cholesterol and is detrimental to our health.

Medicine against cold
Because olive leaf works excellently against different viruses, it is effective in preventing and treating viral diseases that often have no cure by conventional medicine. Among these viral diseases are cold, flu and even herpes.

Lowering blood pressure
It has been found that oleuropein is able to relax the blood vessels, lower blood pressure and even prevent the formation of blood clots. In addition, olive leaf also helps to stop irregular heartbeat, improve blood flow in the coronary arteries and balances blood sugar levels etc.

OLIVE TREE MYTH.

According to Greek mythology, the creation of the olive tree was the result of a contest between Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, and Poseidon, God of the Sea, as to who would become the protector of a newly built city in Attica (the historical region of Greece). The city would then be named after the god or goddess who gave the citizens the most precious, useful and divine gift. With his trident, Poseidon struck a rock. Water rushed out of the rock, creating a spring of salt water, symbolizing his gift of sea power. Athena followed by striking a rock with her spear and produced the olive tree, an offering signifying fruitfulness and peace. The citizens (wisely) chose the gift of Athena and she forever became the patroness of the city named after her. The story of her precious gift and the recognition of its value have been carried down through the millennia. Even today, an olive tree stands where the story of this legendary competition is said to have taken place. The myth continues as a “living legend” as it is said that all the olive trees in Athens were descended from that first olive tree offered by Athena.

HOW TO PREPARE OLIVE LEAF TEA AT HOME?

Here I will show a very easy way how u can make this tea in your house.If you have access to olive trees, you can make your own tea,  just make sure the leaves are of a good quality and haven’t been sprayed with pesticides. Pick olive leaves in the mid-morning when any dew has dried. The leaves should ideally be oven-dried at just below 150 deg F. When the leaves are dry, crush them by hand and remove the stalks. Steep 1 tsp of dried leaves in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. You may drink three cups a day. The tea is bitter so sweeten with honey. Take this tea with food to avoid stomach irritation.

HOW TO PREPARE OLIVE TREE FRUITS AT HOME?

If you’re lucky enough to have olive trees, you may have considered eating one of the fruits, only to discover that there’s a big difference between the olive on a tree and the olive on your plate. That’s because the olives we enjoy are essentially pickles. Whether steeped in oil or a salt brine, olives only become truly edible after curing.This is the most used method how to prepare fruits of the olive tree I am telling step by step so it is easier to understand.
1 Break the fruit. You can do this with a wooden mallet or, more commonly, a rolling pin. Just smack the little things, don’t be afraid, but, of course, you want to keep the olives as a whole as possible. You want the flesh torn, you don’t want it to get mashed or to rip into several different pieces, or for the pit to get damaged.
2
Place the olives in cold water. Completely cover all of the olives, make sure none are poking out. This can be done in a pan. You may need to weigh them down with something. At least once a day, change out the water with fresh, cold water. Make sure you don’t forget, otherwise bacteria could build up in the water.

3
Wait. This will be the hardest part of the curing process. For about a month, switch out the water daily, and don’t touch the olives again. After the first week of the waiting process, you will probably want to taste one. The bitterness could already be gone by this time, but it is unlikely. Just keep waiting until the olives dont taste bitter any longer.Then take some olives fruits place it on the plate and pour olive oil, oregano, lemon juice and ready to eat.