History of Olive Oil 

Olive oil has been used since ancient times to produce perfumes and cosmetics as a valuable commodity for skin and skin health. Having refreshing, moisturizing and soothing properties, it was used in many creams, soaps and perfumes.

• Ancient Greeks believed that olive oil eliminates wrinkles and slows the fall of hair. They put perfumed oil not only on their body but also on their hair and possibly on their clothes.

• For grooming the best quality oil was used, kept in special utensils, such as pseudo-mouth amphoras.

• Asclepiades, in the Sanctuary of Asclepius, provided medical treatment with the use of olive oil and psychosomatic treatment in beautiful natural environment, healthy climate, entertainment and worship.

• The production of aromatic oil in Greece is attested in the Mycenaean era by the Linear NW signs of Pylos. Also Theophrastus in his work “On Smells” and Dioskouridis save information about the ingredients and recipes for the production of aromatic oil.

• Aristotle, ın ıts Athenian Constitution, mentions that the winners of races received oil as a prize.

• Athletes rubbed their bodies with large quantities of olive oil before participating in the games, and so did the warriors before the battle.

• Iliad states that Aphrodite coated Hector’s body with ambrosia oil and roses for protection.

• Homer had described it as “liquid gold“. In Homeric times, they used oil exclusively for body care.

• Odysseus, when he got shipwrecked at the island of Corfu, removed the dust from his body and then rubbed ıt with oil given to him by the handmaids

• Romans learned from the ancient Greeks to appreciate oil as an element of beauty and produce various kinds of essential oils, while in the absence of soaps, olive oil played an important role in people’s lives.

• In recent history, women in Asia Minor have used olive oil as a staple in cosmetics and body perfumes.

• On top of all, however, is the preparation of Agios Myros, which, as mentioned, is still made, untıl today, by a special perfumer, mixed with aromatic substances, symbolizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.