Olives and olive oil has been a staple of the Mediterranean area for over 5,000 years.   Olive, olive oil and olive trees have much spiritual symbology, but this post is about the physical healing properties of olives and olive oil.  
    Olive oil is used for treating burns, skin cancer, calluses, ear aches, dry skin, wrinkles (especially around the eyes), and rough skin.  It is used to strengthen weak fingernails.  It is sometimes used on the scalp to prevent baldness.  It also is used to treat exzema and dandruff.  It aids in preventing diabetes and slows down aging.
    Internally, olive oil is used to treat heart problems, obesity, and stomach ulcers.  It improves the balance of fats in the bloodstream.  It protects the entire digestive tract.  
    The leaves of the olive tree also has healing properties.  They have been used to treat wound and to heal hemorrhoids.  They are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.  Olive leaf extract is used to treat athlete's foot, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, coughs, psoriasis, malaria, prostate difficulties, and parasites.   Also bladder infections, pneumonia, hepatitis, lice, and parasites.  Some of the well-known Bach flower remedies contain olive leaf or olive flower extract.  
    The olives have essentially the same healing properties as olive oil, so you can substitute the fruit for the oil when treating internal conditions.  You could probably use mashed olives for some external problems as well, but olive oil would be more convenient.  Always use virgin or extra virgin olive oil which is cold-pressed and, as they come from the first pressing of the olives, will contain more of the healing ingredients.