Olive trees are one of the first domesticated plants after wild grains, and there's evidence that some of the first permanent human habitations were founded in alluvial valleys with olive trees in the hills and flood plains for growing grains. In addition to being tasty when pickled, olives can also be pressed for their oil, which is used for a wide variety of cooking projects. The oil is also widely used for beauty and health issues dealing with the skin, and has been for at least 5,000 years, and probably longer.

Olives have a benefit - they don't require extra processing to get the oil out of the fruit; the less processing the oil gets, the higher its grade (but the shorter its shelf life). Olive oil also varies a bit by what soil the olive trees grew in. For both cooking and for beauty work, higher grade (called extra virgin) olive oil is better.

Olive oil is full of several fatty acids that are mild - these acids open up the pores and the fats are directly absorbable by the skin. The first use of olive oil as a cosmetic was as a mild astringent - to clean the pores of the face and clear up acne. (Yes, it sounds strange, smearing a fatty oil on your face to clear up acne, but it works!). In addition to this, it nourishes the skin and replenishes it, keeping your skin cells full and healthy on a cellular level; this leads to a beautiful, clear complexion.

It's also useful for oiling your hair, to keep it supple and conditioned, where it acts as a conditioner. This also adds a lovely shine to your hair, and keeps it nourished and less likely to fray or develop split ends. (Most commercial conditioners have enough cleaning agents in them that they can effectively double as shampoo.) It's also a good topical agent for helping heal dry fingernails and dry skin as a moisturizer.

Want some basic ways to use olive oil in your skin and body care regimen? Try these:

As a bath oil. Commercial bath oils are mostly glycerin; try using about a quarter cup of olive oil in a full drawn, very hot bath, and soak - do this after you shower; scrub yourself down with a loufa, but don't use a commercial soap. Towel off, draw a tub of water as hot as you can stand it and pour the olive oil into it and soak. By cleaning your skin before you soak, and keeping the water hot, you're letting your body absorb the oil in the most effective way possible. Using a few drops of a scented oil, or lighting some aromatic candles, can make this seem absolutely decadent.

As a topical skin rub. Use olive oil as a moisturizer on parts of your skin where dryness is an issue, such as the points of your elbows, the back of your hand, or feet. Indeed, if you want to keep calluses soft, rub olive oil into them regularly. (Handy hint: This also works for hard leather products)

Want smoother hands? Look no further than olive oil and sugar. Make a mixture that's got two tablespoons of oil and two tablespoons of sugar; rub them over your hands until the sugar dissolves, then rinse it off. A similar technique can be done massaging oil into your hands and feet and wearing cotton gloves or socks to bed to let it permeate the skin over time. Likewise, you can make a facial from olive oil, honey and an egg yolk; you need to blend these well, then apply it to your face to rejuvenate the skin; leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse normally - it will pull out a lot of oil from your skin and leave it glowing.

Looking to do a home nail treatment? Ever had your hands treated at a nail spa? Believe it or not, this is what they do - and they charge you $40 for it. You want a small dish, and you want olive oil at 'just shy of too hot' mixed with about a tablespoon of a mild acid (vinegar or lemon juice are traditional). Soak your nails in it for about 10 minutes, then rinse. You can also do this as a footbath for your toenails.