The healing power of Olive Leaf

The Olive tree is a familiar sight all around the Mediterranean and it’s oil is well known for it’s versatility as a healthy dietary fat and also for it’s traditional use in many of the daily needs of living – Olive Oil soap and lamp oil for example. However it is the leaves of the tree that were used extensively by the ancient Egyptians who saw the Olive leaf as a symbol of heavenly power, and they may also have been the first people to use Olive leaf for healing. The Bible calls the Olive “The Tree of Life” noting that “the leaves of the tree were for the healing of all nations.” Olive (Olea europaea) is regarded as one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, A native of the Mediterranean, the Olive tree grows to around 10 metres and has a characteristic gnarled trunk as it ages with oblong green leaves with a silvery underside. Olive trees have been known to live for several centuries with reports of some trees being over 2000 years old. Olive trees are a valuable source of olive leaves, olives and olive oil.

What’s so special about Olive Leaf?

Olive leaf’s most active component is the antioxidant oleuropein, considered responsible for the majority of the leaf’s main therapeutic activity. Olive leaf also contains other valuable compounds and nutrients including selenium, chromium, vitamin C, iron, zinc, beta-carotene and a broad variety of amino acids. These additional compounds, in conjunction with oleuropein, work together to improve the overall therapeutic effect of Olive Leaf.

How Olive Leaf will help you?

Here are some of the many healing benefits of Olive Leaf extract

• Antimicrobial agent against bacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses
• Reduces blood pressure by improving blood flow through the arteries
• Reduces insulin resistance and increases glucose uptake into cells
• Inhibits LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol oxidation and helps reduce cholesterol
• Helps to stimulate the Immune system
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Diuretic
• Helps reduce fevers
• Aids digestion

Olive Leaf is particularly helpful in the following conditions:

• Colds & Flu
• Tonsilitis & Pharyngitis
• Mouth ulcers
• Candida
• Recurrent infections
• Fevers
• High blood pressure
• High LDL Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Fluid retention and oedema
• Gout
• Angina
• Inflammation
• Tinea

Which Olive Leaf extract is the best one to take?

Here’s what to look for: Ethanol and water extraction process. Fresh Olive leaves contain valuable water and fat soluble active compounds so it’s important to look for an Olive leaf extract that has been through a water and ethanol extraction process. This ensures that you get both the water and fat soluble active compounds for a greater therapeutic effect. Fresh, hand-picked olive leaves. The majority of Olive leaf extracts on the market are made from dried or reconstituted powders. Look for an Olive leaf extract that is made directly from fresh leaf and from peak mature trees. This ensures less processing and a greater availability of the fresh active compounds. Hand harvesting means that the leaves do not get bruised and the tree does not get damaged in the process. Olive green colour of the liquid. Reflects the freshness and purity of the Olive leaf extract. A brownish coloured Olive leaf extract may mean that the extract has been exposed to air and the extract has become oxidised. Standardised oleuropein. Look for a high value of standardised oleuropein. The higher the oleuropein content, the higher the therapeutic benefits. The highest standardised oleuropein content available is currently 34mg/5mLs. A standardised oleuropein content guarantees that each and every dose of Olive leaf contains the stated value of this active compound.

Mr Vitamins recommends:

Herbs of Gold Olive Leaf  extract uses fresh hand-picked Olive leaves to produce a superior quality extract, containing high levels of oleuropein.

Recommended Dose:

5mls once or twice daily in a little juice or water. You can swish in your mouth before swallowing for mouth ulcers or gargle before swallowing for a sore throat. You can also use Olive Leaf extract topically in a footbath for tinea, as a sitz bath for vaginal candida or as an antimicrobial diluted in water for cuts and scratches. Find out more about Herbs of Gold Olive Leaf