Naturopath Anthia Koullouros explains why using fresh leaves for cooking and drinking can be beneficial for your health and wellbeing

“As we enter the dreaded cold and flu season, it's a good time to stock up on remedies which can help prevent you becoming ill, and speed up the healing process if you need to. Using fresh ingredients to cook is one of the best, and easiest ways, to add flavour, texture and health benefits to your meals. Whether it's adding herbs to your dish, or enjoying aromatic tea leaves in your morning cuppa, if you want to receive the maximum amount of antioxidants and taste, using freshly-picked ingredients is ideal.

One of my must-have cupboard items is olive leaves and olive leaf extract. During the 1990s whilst travelling through the Mediterranean, the founders of Olive Leaf Australia noticed a common practice: many people, mainly elderly, drinking and enjoying olive leaf tea, for their health and enjoyment. And for good reason. Fresh-picked olive leaf, and olive leaf extract has many health benefits: it contains more antioxidants than extra virgin olive oil and it provides immune support to help your body achieve and maintain optimum health.”

What is Olive Leaf extract?

Olive leaf, which was first used as medicine in Ancient Egypt, is picked, then the extract is drawn from the leaves of young olive trees. This extract contains eleven phytochemicals, including Oleuropein, which is responsible for providing the antioxidants shown to support the immune system, and may help provide relief from the symptoms of coughs, colds and flu, sore throats and upper respiratory tract infections. Research also shows that Olive Leaf Extract assists in the maintenance of normal heart function and a healthy cardiovascular system. Take Fresh-Picked Olive Leaf Extract daily, or add to your morning smoothie, along with fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables.

How to use fresh olive leaf

If you have fresh Olive leaves available, drinking olive leaf tea is a wonderful habit to cultivate – to enjoy a warm, health-giving tea before the start of your day means you'll be beginning it on the right foot. If you're using fresh leaves, wash them thoroughly and cut leaves to small pieces, steep a small handful of the fresh olive leaves with other fresh organic herbs from your garden (what you have available and to taste) - perhaps mint leaves, fresh parsley or basil leaves in hot water for 10 minutes. Sip slowly, while you mindfully ponder and plan your day. Not all of us have access to fresh Olive Leaves straight from the tree! So a great alternative is Olive Leaf Extract.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Comvita Olive Leaf Extract

Find out more and shop online for Comvita Fresh Olive Leaf Extract here