Facts About Olive Leaf Benefits
Although people have been aware of many olive leaf benefits for centuries, it has been research over the past 20 years or so that has confirmed that many of the claims that have been made are true. It's possible to compile a laundry list of presumed olive leaf benefits, but as is the case with many so-called super foods or super herbs, it can be difficult at times to separate fact from myth.
Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean region, and olives and olive oil have been a leading export of countries such as Italy for centuries. The benefits of olives and olive oil, beyond culinary uses, are well known. Like many plants and herbs, the nutritional or medicinal values of a plant are often found in the leaves as well as the fruit, and the olive plant is no exception. Olive leaves are now recognized as a somewhat unique herb having many and varied applications. The olive leaf contains a virtual pharmacy of useful properties. It has anti-viral, anti bacterial, and antiseptic properties. It also has anti-fungal properties, is an immune system booster, and even has tranquilizing properties.
Discovery And Benefits Of Oeuropein - Many of the olive leaf benefits can be traced to a compound known as Oeuropein (presumably a combination of olive and Europe or Europa) which has some rather remarkable blood pressure lowering abilities. The discovery and isolation of Oeuropein confirmed olive leaf benefits experienced when treating heart and circulatory system diseases and disorders. Oeuropein was also discovered to exhibit the anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties noted earlier.
High doses of Oeuropein do not appear to have any toxic or significant side effects. Because of its blood pressure lowering properties however, Oeuropein and olive leaves in general are not recommended for those who suffer from low blood pressure, or for diabetics in general. Olive leaves and olive leaf extracts do not appear to be a danger to pregnant women or the fetus, but this has not been conclusively proven, and pregnant women are advised against ingesting olive leaf extract or supplements.
A Small Sample Of A Very Long List - The list of olive leaf benefits is so lengthy as to make one somewhat suspicious as to its validity. Often when many different claims of benefits are made, one begins looking to see what particular product is being promoted. In the case of the olive leaf, the list has been compiled over hundreds of years, and there are a sufficient number of case studies indicating the benefits cited are real. A short list of olive leaf benefits includes stabilizing blood sugar levels, boosting immune system functions, boosting energy levels, treating chronic fatigue, treating various cardiovascular conditions, lowering cholesterol, and easing respiratory conditions. This is just a small sample, not even mentioning the antioxidant properties of the leaf.
Make Your Own Olive Leaf Powder - In many parts of North America and Europe fresh olive leaves are not readily available, and extracts or supplements would have to be relied upon. Olive leaf powders and extracts are readily available in most health food stores. If fresh leaves are available, it would be the least expensive way of enjoying the benefits to be gained. The fresh leaves can be washed, then air dried for several days. Once the leaves have become brittle, they are crushed to a fine powder. A coffee grinder will serve nicely for this. The powdered leaves can be mixed with other ground herbs if desired. 2 1/4 teaspoons of the powder a day, mixed in food, but generally taken with water, is the recommended dosage. This is truthfully a health giving and health sustaining tonic.