OLIVE LEAF
Botanical: Olea europaea Family: Oleaceae (olive) Other common names: Olea Oleaster, Olea lancifolia

The Olive Leaf is a gift to us from "The Tree of Life" and should be included in every diet for the maintenance of good health and the prevention of disease. Olive Leaf is one of nature's best immune-enhancing herbs that is highly effective against bacteria, virus, microbes, fungus and more...and it is also said to lower cholesterol!  Do not miss this one.

History:
Extending an Olive branch has been a traditional means of offering peace since ancient times, and the Olive Leaf has remained the symbol of peace and prosperity to this very day. It should also be a symbol of good health. The "Tree of Life" is an evergreen that has been cultivated in the Mediterranean regions since the Neolithic period and may grow to a height of twenty-five feet with flowers and leathery, dark green leaves. It thrives in well-drained soil in full sun. The Olive tree is native to Asia Minor and the eastern Mediterranean region and is now still widely cultivated there, as well as in many other tropical climates of the world. It has been revered since ancient times for its health and nutritional benefits and has been mentioned in the Bible  in many instances. A dove carried an Olive Leaf back to Noah to indicate that the flood had abated, and Moses is said to have exempted Olive growers from military service. The garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed, was filled with Olive trees, and there are Olive trees still growing that date back well over a thousand years. In the mid-eighteenth century, Olive Leaf was said to cure malaria (confirming our present knowledge of the herb's antibiotic qualities). Considerable attention has been paid of late to the superior virtues of Olive oil, but recent research into the Olive Leaf has demonstrated exceptional value in the area of building natural immunity to diseases of almost every kind. In the early twentieth century, a bitter compound from the leaf, oleuropein, was isolated and shown to possess powerful disease-fighting properties, and in 1962, another component, elenolic acid, demonstrated that it could kill many kinds of viruses, bacteria and protozoans. A 1969 study claimed that Olive Leaf was effective against a minimum of fifty-six disease-causing organisms. Some constituents in Olive Leaf include oleuropein, elenolic acid, oleanic acid, tannins, calcium, beta-sitosterol, glycoside, mannitol and flavonoids.

Beneficial Uses:
Olive Leaf is one of the finest immune-enhancing and detoxifying supplements available and has been shown to combat virtually any infectious disease. Olive's oleuropein is a powerful disease-resistant antibacterial that counteracts infections and kills parasites, such as protozoa and worms (including ringworm).

Olive Leaf is effective in fighting viruses of all kinds. It appears to be a true antiviral compound with the ability to inhibit the critical amino acid production needed for the growth of viruses; and in extensive testing, it deactivated or destroyed every virus (and fungus, yeast and protozoan) against which it was used. It was effective in inhibiting influenza-3 virus, many different types of herpes, colds, Ebola virus, meningitis, cold sores, pneumonia, shingles, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epstein-Barr and viral-induced skin conditions.

As an antifungal, Olive Leaf is also effective against antibiotic-resistant fungi and yeast strains. It works against Candida, the single-celled fungi living in the bloodstream that release powerful poisons and toxins as they multiply. It is also effectual against Chlamydia and other vaginal yeast infections. In addition, Olive Leaf combats athlete's foot and other infectious fungal diseases.

Olive may prevent heart disease. Powerful antioxidant properties in Olive Leaf protect the heart and circulatory system from free radical damage. Its oleuropein content inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or "bad cholesterol" that are connected to various heart problems. Other research has demonstrated that Olive Leaf may significantly decrease blood pressure and increase blood flow through the coronary arteries (by dilating them), thereby helping to ward off heart attacks. As a further aid to good heart health, the herb is believed to relieve hypertension.

Olive Leaf is a mild tranquilizer and sedative and is believed to fight nervous tension.

Most of the flavonoids in Olive Leaf are believed to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties that will relieve inflammatory arthritis, etc.

Olive Leaf is said to be an astringent, as well as an antibacterial that combats diarrheal diseases. Moreover, the herb works against bladder infections, bacterial skin infections, tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and is used to clear lung conditions and combat other respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

*Provided itself beneficial in research that did not involve people, the study could have been done in a test tube, petri dish or animals for Therapeutic use, Bacterial Infections, Diabetes, Fungal Infections, Gout, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure.

Parts Used: Dried leaves and leaf fragments.

Typical preparations:Traditionally used as a tea, sometimes available in tea bags; also used with great success in extracts and capsules.

Contraindications:
None, Olive leaf tea should be taken with meals. Safety of the herb during pregnancy has not been established.

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider