OilKitchen and carrier oil
Olive oil
Olea europaea
The house oil: cooking, a simple salad, and a mild carrier for other oils.
Extra virgin olive oil is food first. It is also a decent, inexpensive carrier when you need to dilute an essential oil for a quick rub. Buy a cooking bottle you will finish; rancid oil helps no one.
Traditional uses
- Salads, beans, bread, and low-to-medium cooking
- A teaspoon as a carrier for one drop of essential oil
- A plain oil for dry cuticles or a wooden board
How to prepare
- 1
Food: use raw for flavor; heat gently. Smoke point varies by bottle.
- 2
Carrier: 1 tsp oil + 1 drop essential oil. Mix in a spoon, then apply.
- 3
Board: a thin coat on a dry wooden board, wipe the excess.
Kitchen & home
- Store dark and cool, cap tight.
- A small cruet on the table, the rest in the cupboard.
- If it smells like crayons, it is tired — compost the last inch.
Go gently
- Food oil, not a medicine.
- As a carrier it is heavier than jojoba and can stain cloth.