AKA: Olea europaea, Olea folium, Olea gallica, Olea lancifolia, Olea oleaster

Olive trees are native to Asia Minor and Syria but are cultivated in places throughout the world that have the same type of climate (The Mediterranean, Peru, South Australia). While the fruit of the tree is more known for its many uses, the leaf of the tree has been used for its medicinal properties since the time of the Pharaohs. The ancient Egyptian considered the leaf a symbol of heavenly power and used it in the sacred rite of mummification. It is also mentioned in the Old Testament as being a "natural healer" (Ezekiel 47:12). In the early 1800’s, the pulverized leaves of the olive tree were used to treat fevers and later on in the century, the leaves were used in a tea to help treat malaria.

Olive leaf extract first became available to health professionals in 1995, and the herb has reemerged in these modern times as a very promising natural medicine with a multitude of applications. Researchers have found that olive leaf is a powerful aid for the body's immune system, cardiovascular system and has shown to increase vitality and promote healthy blood pressure. It also is a powerful antioxidant which can help protect the heart and blood vessels and the leaves are considered both an astringent and antiseptic.

Benefits and Uses

• Fever Reducer
• Antioxidant
• Promotes heart health
• Lowers blood pressure
• Immune system booster

Olueropein

During the early 1900's, scientists discovered the bitter compound oleuropein in the olive leaf which is thought to be responsible for the tree's ability to resist disease. Oleuropein was later discovered to be a vasodilator when given to animals, helping lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessel, allowing blood to flow more easily. This increase in blood flow helps relieve arrhythmia and stop intestinal muscle spasms. Oleuropein also contains a chemical called elenolic acid, which is thought to inhibit the growth of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. According to a 1970 study conducted by the Upjohn Pharmaceutical company, this chemical is not only a effective at keeping viruses, bacteria and fungi at bay, but it is also considered safe even at high doses.

Further research suggests that olive leaf may be a better virus killer than many over the counter pharmaceuticals because of its ability to block an entire virus specific system in an infected host. It interferes with the virus's ability to produce amino acids, prevents shedding, budding and viral assembly at the cell membrane and penetrates the infected cells directly stopping viral production.
 
Olive leaf has shown the ability to relieve the symptoms of the common cold, influenza, candida infections, meningitis, Epstein Barr virus, encephalitis, herpes I and II, human herpes virus 6 and 7, shingles, chronic fatigue syndrome, Hepatitis B, pneumonia tuberculosis, gonorrhea, malaria, dengue, diarrhea and infections of the ear, teeth, and urinary tract. It is also helpful for people with HIV or AIDS and can help with surgical infections.

Side Effects

Due to lack of research, olive leaf is not recommended for pregnant or breast feeding woman and diabetics should not use it because of its ability to lower blood sugar.

coming soon....