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.

Fast forward to the 1880’s when it was utilised to counteract malaria, and then 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.

Olive Leaf 

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. One particularly fascinating study was conducted among identical twins with borderline hypertension (blood pressure in the range of 120-139 mmHg over 80-89 mmHg). Studies of identical twins virtually eliminate genetic variations which may impact study results. After 8 weeks, placebo recipients showed no change in blood pressure from baseline, but patients supplemented with 1,000 mg/day of olive leaf extract dropped their pressures by a mean of 11 mmHg systolic and 4 mmHg diastolic. The supplemented patients also experienced significant reductions in LDL cholesterol.

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; it increases the production of nitric oxide – a signalling molecule that helps to relax blood vessels. 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.

Diabetes

There is evidence to suggest the Olive Leaf could provide a natural alternative 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.

In a randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled clinical study, the researchers found that the olive leaf extract lowered insulin resistance by an average of 15% and increased the productivity of the pancreas’ beta cells – which produce insulin – by 28%.

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.

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.

Anti-Fungal

The aforementioned anti-microbial effect was tested in a 2003 study by D Markin et al. The researchers found that Olive Leaf extracts killed almost all bacteria tested. This included dermatophytes which cause infections in the skin, hair and nails; candida albicans – an agent of oral and genital infection, and Escherichia coli cells (E coli) – bacteria found in the lower intestine.

This makes Olive Leaf a wonderful herb to eliminate candida overgrowth, and an excellent anti-fungal for the treatment of athletes foot and toenail fungus.

Bone Health

Inspired by epidemiological evidence showing that people who ate a traditional Mediterranean diet were less likely to suffer from osteoporosis, Dr Veronique Coxam has led research and development of the powerfully active compounds in Olive Leaf – oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Her early work showed that both of these compounds had an impact on inflammation in bones – findings since confirmed by animal studies.

Research performed by scientists at the University of Cordoba, Spain, studied the effects of a range of oleuropein concentrations on the formation of osteoblasts (a cell that secretes the substance of bone), in stem cells from human bone marrow. The researchers concluded, “Our data suggests that oleuropein, highly abundant in olive tree products included in the traditional Mediterranean diet, could prevent age related bone loss and osteoporosis.” 

Ingredients

1 lb

OLIVE (Olea europaea) Leaf whole

From Arabian Peninsula