Overview

Olive (Olea europaea) is a tree with edible fruit, leaves, and seeds. Olive oil comes from the olive fruit and contains monounsaturated fatty acids.

Fatty acids in olive oil seem to decrease cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Olive oil is commonly used in foods. As medicine, people most commonly use olive oil for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It is also used for high cholesterol, cancer, memory and thinking skills, migraine, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.

Don't confuse olive oil with olive. These are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Breast cancer. Consuming more olive oil in the diet seems to be linked with a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
  • Heart disease. People who cook using olive oil seem to have a lower risk of heart disease and lower risk of first heart attack compared to those who cook with other oils. But it's unclear if higher dietary intake of olive oil helps people who already have heart disease.
  • Constipation. Taking olive oil by mouth can help soften stools in people with constipation. It is unclear if applying olive oil to the skin or giving olive oil as an enema (rectally) is beneficial.
  • Diabetes. People who eat higher amounts of olive oil in the diet seem to have a lower risk of developing diabetes. Consuming olive oil might also improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
  • High blood pressure. Adding high amounts of extra virgin olive oil to the diet over 6 months while taking prescription drugs for high blood pressure can improve blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Obesity. Taking olive oil by mouth does not appear to reduce body weight or fat in people with obesity.
  • Ear infection (otitis media). Applying olive oil drops into the ear does not appear to reduce pain in children with ear infections.

There is interest in using olive oil for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Olive oil is commonly consumed in foods. Up to 1 liter of extra virgin olive oil weekly has been used safely as part of a Mediterranean-style diet for up to 5.8 years. Olive oil is usually well-tolerated. It might cause nausea in a small number of people.

When applied to the skin: Olive oil is likely safe. Delayed allergic reactions have been reported. When used in the mouth following dental treatment, the mouth may feel more sensitive.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Olive oil is commonly consumed in foods. Up to 1 liter of extra virgin olive oil weekly has been used safely as part of a Mediterranean-style diet for up to 5.8 years. Olive oil is usually well-tolerated. It might cause nausea in a small number of people.

When applied to the skin: Olive oil is likely safe. Delayed allergic reactions have been reported. When used in the mouth following dental treatment, the mouth may feel more sensitive.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Olive oil is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if olive oil is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Olive Oil

    Olive oil might lower blood pressure. Taking olive oil along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

Dosing

Olive oil is commonly consumed in foods. Olive oil is classified according to free oleic acid content. Extra virgin olive oil contains a maximum of 1% free oleic acid, virgin olive oil contains 2%, and ordinary olive oil contains 3.3%. Unrefined olive oils with more than 3.3% free oleic acid are considered "unfit for human consumption."

Olive oil has also been used as medicine. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
View References
Show More Show Less

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.