The olive tree of Vouves (Ελιά Βουβών) is located in the village of Ano Vouves on the Greek island of Crete and is the oldest olive tree in the world.
Remarkably, the tree to this day still produces olives.

By means of annual ring analysis it has been shown that the tree is at least 2000 years old, but scientists estimate the olive tree even at 4000 years.
The trunk has a circumference of 12.5 meters and the olive tree, also called Elia Bouybon, is visited annually by more than 20,000 people.

whatis

Source photo: Wikimedia Commons

Olive trees are hardy and dry, disease and fire-resistant - a reason why they live so long.
The fruit of the olive tree, the olive is eaten and olive oil is extracted from the pit and flesh.

History

The olive plays a major role in history. For example, in his Odyssey, the Greek poet Homerus talks about the liquid gold when he writes about the olive oil.
The Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was buried with his valuables and an olive branch.
At the former Olympic Games, the winner received a wreath of olive branches and according to the Bible, a pigeon sent from Noah's Ark came back with an olive sprig.


Many good properties are assigned to the oil :

  • helps reduce cholesterol
  • full of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants
  • softens the skin
  • helps to to get a nice tan
  • prevents squeaky doors
  • has a unique aroma
  • helps to protect cells
  • you can make soap from it
  • is easily digestible and purifies the stomach
  • has a positive effect on breast cancer
  • protects blood vessels
  • acts as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent
  • increases fertility
  • enhances your libido
  • perfect lamp oil


Poem: Olive trees

With a delicate veil of tulle
grown up in trust with the taste
of history they seem to lift the landscape
to a world of their own.

Bless the green leaves that
enrich life with the
magical fragrance of character
and a philosophical liquid gold.


#whatis #olivetree

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