Olive Leaves anti-inflammatory Heart Health. The first formal medical mention of the olive leaf occurred about 150 years ago – an account describing its ability to cure severe cases of fever and malaria. In 1854, the Pharmaceutical Journal contained a report by David Hanbury that included this simple healing recipe: “Boil a handful of leaves in a quart of water down to half its original volume. Then administer the liquid in the amount of a wine glass every 3 – 4 hours until the fever is cured.” The Olive Leaf was so important to the Ancient Egyptians that they regarded it as a symbol of heavenly power. Not only did they extract the oil to mummify their kings, it was used as a powerful defender against a wide variety of maladies too. This tree was so important it was referred to as the “Tree of Life” in the bible, held in such high esteem that Moses is said to have excluded olive tree growers from military service. In the early 1900’s scientists isolated a bitter compound, “oleuropein”, that was thought to give the olive tree its disease resistance. And so through the later 1900’s oleuropein was found to lower blood pressure in animals, increase blood flow in the coronary arteries, relieve arrhythmia and prevent internal muscle spasms.
For Heart Health: The first way Olive Leaf can benefit the heart is by its ability to foster significant drops in elevated blood pressure – extracts have been shown to both prevent and treat high blood pressure. Secondly, Olive Leaf supports arterial health – the endothelial cells that line the arterial walls play a key role in maintaining blood flow and pressure, with endothelial dysfunction being one of the earliest stages of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Olive Leaf can fight endothelial dysfunction on many levels; This powerful leaf also has multi-targeted anti-inflammatory effects which may help to prevent the oxidisation of LDL cholesterol which can damage arteries and, again, lead to atherosclerosis. Finally, polyphenol compounds found in olive leaves have been shown to help directly prevent the formation of arterial plaques (and thereby reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke)in two ways. First, they reduce the production and activity of a series of “adhesion molecules.” These substances cause white blood cells and platelets to stick to arterial walls, resulting in early plaque formation. Second, they reduce platelet aggregation (clumping) by multiple mechanisms, which in turn reduces the risk that tiny clots will form at sites of plaque to produce a stroke or heart attack.
For Diabetes: Researchers from the University of Auckland have discovered extract of this leaf has the ability to decrease insulin resistance and increase the production of insulin by the pancreas. This effect is due to the olive leaf’s hypoglycaemic properties (lowers blood sugar in the body), and its ability to control blood glucose levels. The polyphenols in this leaf play a vital role in delaying the production of sugar, which is the pre-cursor to inflammatory diseases such as diabetes.
The Immune system: Olive leaves have been traditionally used for centuries to support the immune system, maintain overall good health and to relieve symptoms of coughs, colds and flu. It has five times (400%) more antioxidant power than the equivalent amount of Vitamin C. The Olive Leaf also has anti-viral properties with research showing that extracts can effectively fight against a number of disease causing microbes. These powerful compounds destroy invading organisms and don’t allow viruses to replicate and cause infection.
Olive leaves are also anti-fungal and can help with bone health
Olive Leaf Tea: Use 30g of Olive Leaf per litre of water then boil until the water reduces to half the amount. Drink up to 2 cups per day – one in the morning and one in the evening. Can be drunk hot or iced with a slice of lemon.
Olive Leaf Powder can be added to smoothies, encapsulated or mixed with a little water or juice. A typical dosage of Olive Leaf is one to two grams of powdered leaf up to three times per day.