An evergreen fruit tree 4-12 m high, often with a twisted knotty trunk and sagging. The leaves are small, entire, opposite, lanceolate or oblong-oval, leathery, dark green above, silvery gray below, live 2-3 years. Flowers bisexual, with 2 stamens, small, whitish, 8-40 in a paniculate raceme. The fruit is a drupe of an elongated oval, ovoid or rounded shape, silver-gray in color, with a fleshy, juicy, oily fruit within.
In Russia, this tree is cultivated on the Black Sea coast (in the Crimea, in the Caucasus), also in Azerbaijan, Eastern Georgia and in the southwestern part of Turkmenistan. Its homeland is the southeastern part of the Mediterranean coast.
From the fruits of olives produce Provence and the so-called wood oil.
In scientific medicine, even first-class olive oil (Provencal) is used mainly externally (ointments).
In folk medicine, even 30% olive oil is used. Inside it is used for constipation (as a laxative), abdominal pain, poisoning (use alternately with warm water and warm milk). Externally, oil from the fruits of the olive tree is used for bloating (in babies), with scab of the scalp (also in babies), for headaches (buried in the ear), bruises, stings of bees, wasps and bumblebees.