Olive oil: from the Mediterranean to the global pharmacy

Olive oil is one of the cornerstones of the Mediterranean diet, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Mediterranean diet has demonstrated health benefits, and olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is prominent in the gastronomic and medicinal traditions of Portugal and the world. azeiteanorte

Benefits of olive oil for health

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds with unique health properties. Among its main benefits are...: ​

• Lowering LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol.. azeiteanorte​

• Prevention of cardiovascular diseases. ijfsnh.journals.ekb+1​

• Controls blood pressure and has anti-inflammatory action. frontiersin+1​

• Controls blood pressure and has anti-inflammatory action. azeiteanorte

The role of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet prioritizes fresh, natural, and local foods, of which olive oil is the main source of healthy fat. Its use is synonymous with food sustainability and a healthy lifestyle, integrating not only food but also social and convivial practices. azeiteanorte

Olive oil in Portugal: tradition and excellence

Olive oil production in Portugal dates back to Roman times and is rooted in the traditions of the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro regions. These areas offer olive oils of high gastronomic and cultural value, with unique aromas and flavors, reflecting ancestral knowledge passed down through generations. azeiteanorte​

Olive tourism: health and tradition in Trás-os-Montes

Beyond its nutritional benefits, olive oil can be experienced through olive tourism itineraries, where visitors learn about the production process and participate in tastings, connecting history, culture, and well-being.

Experiences include:

• Contact with nature and centuries-old olive groves.

• Learning about traditional methods and tastings.

• Immersion in landscapes and heritage linked to olive oil production.. azeiteanorte​

Olive oil as a modern elixir: global examples

The traditional Mediterranean perspective finds fascinating resonance in several countries, where olive oil transcends its role as food and becomes a therapeutic or medicinal product..

Japan: wellness pharmacies

In Japan, extra virgin olive oil can be found in pharmacies alongside supplements and natural cosmetics. Used not only as a condiment, but also as an element of physical, mental and therapeutic balance, olive oil is integrated into health and beauty routines, reflecting the Japanese pursuit of exemplary longevity. farmaciamanipulatta+1

​United Kingdom

During the 20th century, olive oil was sold in pharmacies (by chemists), used in treatments for ear problems or topical applications, assuming a therapeutic role before becoming common in daily diets. bbc

Egypt

Olive oil was recently included in the official Egyptian pharmacopoeia, recognized by the Medicines Authority, and prescribed in pharmacies as a regulated therapeutic agent, representing the evolution from tradition to modern pharmaceutical practice. jnmhs+2

European Union and United States

Purified olive oil is included in lists of substances approved by the European and American pharmacopoeias, and is used as an excipient, active ingredient in parenteral nutritional therapies in hospitals, and in certified topical cosmetic products. pharmaexcipients

Greece and Italy

In these Mediterranean countries, it is common to find olive oil formulations infused with herbs (e.g., St. John's wort, garlic) sold in traditional pharmacies for recognized phytotherapeutic and medicinal purposes. thegreekoliveestate​

Other traditional and modern practices:

• Ancient Egypt: Olive oil was used to treat skin conditions, joint pain, and eye infections, serving both ritual and medicinal purposes. bhooc+1​

• Ancient Greece and Rome: It was considered a medicinal "superfood" for about 60 diseases, being used for digestion, healing, and reducing inflammation. b hooc+1​

• Modern cosmetics and phytotherapy: Olive oil is an ingredient in creams, soaps, ozonized oils, and dermocosmetic products, valued for its moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties.. gmbozone+4​

• Other regions with a tradition of longevity: Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, North America, and Asian markets are adopting olive oil and its derivatives in self-care routines and diverse sustainable therapeutic practices.. jnmhs+4​

Perspective for the Olive Oil in the North project

The international example of the therapeutic positioning of olive oil opens doors for innovation in olive tourism and health tourism in the region. In addition to gastronomic experiences, wellness and self-care activities can be offered, such as natural beauty workshops, mindful nutrition programs, and educational programs rooted in tradition but supported by current scientific evidence. jnmhs+2 

Scientific sources

• Scientific articles on the antioxidant, cardiometabolic, and immunological properties of olive oil.cosmeticsonline+4​

• Global reviews on the marketing and perception of olive oil as a therapeutic product in pharmacies and medical practices in various countries. bbc+5

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