If you’re holding a bottle of high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil in your hands and wondering: Now what? — you’re not alone. While the buzz around medicinal EVOO is getting louder by the day, what’s still missing from most conversations is the real-life guidance on how to actually use it for health.
So let’s get into it — not just the why behind medicinal EVOO, but the how.
First, What Makes EVOO Medicinal?
Not all EVOO qualifies as medicinal. We’re talking about high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil — typically tested to have 250 mg/kg or more of polyphenols (such as oleocanthal, oleacein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol).
According to the EU-approved health claim (Commission Regulation EU 432/2012), olive oils containing at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and derivatives per 20 g help protect blood lipids from oxidative stress — that’s the legal definition of “medicinal” in this context.
In short:
Polyphenols = antioxidants = anti-inflammatory + disease-modulating effects.
Now let’s dig into what this means for you, and how to actually make it part of your routine.
How Much Should You Take Daily?
The Medicinal Dose
Clinical and nutritional studies suggest a daily dosage of 20–40 ml (about 1.5 to 3 tablespoons) of high-phenolic EVOO for therapeutic benefit.
This range appears across several human studies, including those focusing on cardiovascular protection, metabolic syndrome, gut microbiota, Alzheimer’s risk, and more.
Start here:
- Beginners: 1 tablespoon/day (morning, on an empty stomach or with food)
- Therapeutic use: 2–3 tablespoons/day (spread across meals)
Always gradually increase intake if you’re new to it — high phenolic oils can cause a “burn” in the throat (that’s oleocanthal doing its anti-inflammatory job).
What Conditions Can It Help With?
Medicinal EVOO isn’t magic — but the data is becoming harder to ignore. Here’s where science supports regular use:
1. Cardiovascular Health
- Reduces LDL oxidation
- Lowers inflammation markers (like CRP and interleukin-6)
- Enhances endothelial function
- Supports healthy blood pressure (especially when replacing saturated fats)
Use: 1–2 tablespoons daily with meals
2. Cognitive Protection (Alzheimer’s, Brain Fog, Aging)
- Oleocanthal has been shown to help clear beta-amyloid proteins in the brain (a hallmark of Alzheimer’s)
- Improves synaptic activity and neuroplasticity
- Clinical studies from Spain (MICOIL and VOHF) show improved memory markers
Use: 1 tbsp in the morning + 1 at dinner
3. Anti-Inflammatory & Immune Support
- Polyphenols like oleacein and oleocanthal mimic ibuprofen-like activity, without gut damage
- Supports immune modulation and helps lower chronic inflammation
Use: On an empty stomach OR as finishing oil over warm food
4. Metabolic & Gut Health
- Aids insulin sensitivity
- Boosts short-chain fatty acid production via prebiotic activity
- Helps maintain gut barrier function (preventing “leaky gut”)
Use: Daily with meals high in fiber
5. Skin, Joint, and Hormonal Health
- Improves skin elasticity and hydration
- Supports joint lubrication
- Contains phytoestrogens that may help balance hormones (especially during menopause)
Use: Internally AND topically (mixed with clean moisturizers)
How to Use It Daily (Beyond the Spoon)
Sure, you can take it by the spoonful, but don’t stop there.
Drizzle or Finish
- Over warm veggies, soups, or fish
- Onto salads (instead of store-bought dressings)
- Stirred into yogurt, hummus, or pureed soups
Do Not Fry With It
High-phenolic EVOO is expensive and delicate. Don’t fry or cook with it — use a lower-phenolic oil for high-heat cooking and reserve your medicinal one for:
- Drizzling
- Dipping
- Mixing after cooking
Bonus: Morning Shot + Lemon
Many users take it as a “shot” in the morning, optionally with a squeeze of lemon or warm water.
- Helps digestion
- Kickstarts metabolism
- Sharpens mental clarity
Tips for Getting the Most Out of It
- Store in dark glass, away from light and heat
- Use within 4–6 months of opening
- Choose oils with verified lab testing for phenolic content
- Track your health changes over time — blood markers, gut, mood, etc.
You’re not just adding a fat to your diet — you’re tapping into a living pharmacy from a tree that’s been helping humans heal for millennia.
The biggest challenge today? Access and education. Most people have never tasted high-phenolic EVOO, let alone understood its role in a therapeutic diet.
Let’s change that — one spoonful at a time.
Luca
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medicinal-evoo polyphenols real-evoo anti-inflammatory brain-health heart-health gut-health daily-dosing how-to-use-evoo