Olive Leaf Extract – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Olive leaf extract is a substance derived from the leaves of the olive (Olea europaea) tree. Olive leaves themselves are traditional medicinal herbs whose colorful history goes as far back as the time of the ancient Egyptians. There, they played a role in the mummification process. Outside of Egypt, countries such as Morocco, Spain, Lebanon, France, and Italy — all olive-growing countries — have recognized olive leaves for their immense therapeutic benefits and continue to use them for such to this day. The extract itself is no different and is just as powerful as the leaf.

List of known nutrients

Oleuropein is the primary compound in olive leaf extract, and the one that has garnered the most attention. This polyphenol is noteworthy for being a potent antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory agent. Olive leaf extract has been found to lower bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, and such helpful qualities have been attributed to oleuropein. In addition, olive leaf extract contains many other constituents, such as:

• Apigenin
• Caffeic Acid
• Elenolic Acid
• Hydroxytyrosol
• Kaempferol
• Luteolin
• Maslinic Acid
• Oleanolic Acid
• Quercetin
• Rutin
• Tannins
• Tyrosol
• Ursolic Acid

Olive leaf extract contains little to no vitamins and minerals, however, it has a very high amount of antioxidants. So much so that it has an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) or total antioxidant capacity score of 10,000, making more effective at scavenging harmful free radicals.

Medicinal uses for olive leaf extract

Olive leaf has been used to alleviate the symptoms of numerous diseases throughout the centuries, such as:

• Acne
• Arrythmia
• Arthritis
• Athlete’s Foot
• Bacterial Pneumonia
• Candida Albicans
• Cold
• Conjunctivitis
• Eczema
• Flu
• Food Poisoning
• High Blood Pressure
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Rosacea
• Shingles
• Sinusitis
• Thrush
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Viral Infections
• Warts
• Yeast Infections

Olive leaf extract, specifically oleuropein, can reduce blood pressure, thereby lowering the risk of hypertension. Olive leaf extract appears to do this by relaxing the coronary arteries, which results in improved blood circulation. In addition, olive leaf extract inhibits the growth of arterial plaque.

Thanks to the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of olive leaf extract, it can provide relief from arthritis and similar conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Moreover, olive leaf extract so effective an anti-inflammatory agent that it can soothe rosacea, a common skin disease that is considered an inflammatory disorder.

Body systems supported by olive leaf extract

Olive leaf extract can keep the cardiovascular system healthy and fully functional in numerous ways. In addition to decreasing the risk of hypertension, olive leaf extract has cholesterol-lowering qualities that significantly minimize the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol without affecting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol levels.

Applying olive leaf extract to the skin can yield numerous benefits, mostly due to its anti-inflammatory and cleansing effects. This makes olive leaf extract adept at lowering the chances of developing skin conditions like acne and eczema.

Olive leaf extract can boost the immune system thanks to its strong antibacterial and antiviral effects. This means that olive leaf extract can inactivate pathogens without harming healthy microbes. Olive leaf extract can increase T cell production as well, essentially strengthening the immune system even further.

Ways to use olive leaf extract

Olive leaf extract can be used orally or topically. To get the most out of olive leaf extract, consume a teaspoon before meals.

Olive leaf extract can also be purchased in capsule and tincture form.

Note: olive leaf extract can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals, so be sure to test a small amount beforehand to gauge its possible side effects.

Where to learn more

• Fight Candida and Yeast with Natural Olive Leaf Extract
• Health benefits of olive leaf extract
• Olive Leaf Extract Proves Effective for Diabetes Treatment
• Olive leaf extract prevents colds and flus

Summary

Olive leaf extract can support the health of the cardiovascular and immune system, and of the skin.

Its numerous health benefits include decreasing the risk or alleviating the symptoms of hypertension, high cholesterol, rosacea, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sources include:

NaturalLivingIdeas.com
LifeExtension.com
Examine.com
HealthyFocus.org
About-Olive-Leaf-Extract.com