The olive has always been a symbol of peace, fertility, strength and health. Its product, the oil, is considered to be „liquid gold“ and is not only food and medicine but also a preventative. The olive oil represents the secret of health and longevity and legends about its medicinal properties originate in ancient history. Ten years ago modern research only confirmed what old wise men thought of and felt about that miraculous plant. The olive and its products are a synonym for Mediterranean cuisine and healthy lifestyle, and the Mediterranean diet is becoming more and more popular and implemented in countries all over the world, especially in the Western hemisphere. Olive growing is the major agricultural branch of the Mediterranean which doesn't require too much care but provides high-quality fruit. This paper emphasizes the usage of the olive and the olive oil in human nutrition, but also describes its usage in the cosmetic industry. This research was approached by a descritptive method is used and statistical facts are shown in a table. The paper is divided into seven units. Secondary literature referring to expert books on olive growing, gathering and oil processing as well as some Internet sources such as newspaper articles and scientific papers are applied in this research. Each unit is thematically elaborated, detailed and structured, and the basic thought is presented in the summary.