What are some common olive leaf health benefits and what's the best way to take olive leaf to reap those benefits?
Why the Olive Leaf?
The olive leaf is one of a few herbs listed in the Bible as a method to help healing. "The fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine," is quoted in Ezekiel 47:12, and for good reason.
The olive leaf's most active ingredient, oleuropein, helps prevent disease, can be used in fighting off germs, and can help keep your immune system healthy.
Olive Leaf Health Benefits
Herbalists have long recommended the olive leaf for:
- Boosting the immune system
- Fighting colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and a great herbal remedy for stomach flu
- Calming pain from arthritis
- Helps with chronic fatigue syndrome
- A good way to fight psoriasis
- Lowering blood pressure
- Help in reducing fats from other foods
- Can reduce blood sugar levels
- Purify or detox your body
- Fight parasites, bacteria, and fungus
The small olive called the "evergreen olive" was first produced in the Mediterranean region and is found in teas, extract oils, capsules, soap, and face and skin cream.
How Does It Work?
The oleuropein in olive leaf seeks out harmful pathogens and helps to dissolve bad germs. If taken orally, the natural enzymes in your body (esteraize and beta-glycosidase) help to convert the oleuropein into elolenic acid. That elolenic acid helps your immune system to remain strong as well in addition to its other health benefits.
How to Take Olive Leaf
If you consider an olive leaf regimen, you may experience a sort of detox effect that could bring symptoms such as headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, or fatigue. If you are pregnant or nursing, are a diabetic, or are on high blood pressure medication, it's best to ask your physician before you begin using olive leaf.
To reap the benefits of the olive leaf, there are many ways and forms to aid you. Olive Tea recommends the following:
- Vitamins - Seek out vitamins that are strong in olive leaf extract ingredients. Most olive leaf vitamins are also packed with minerals and amino acids.
- Olive Leaf Loose Tea - Depending upon how much tea you desire, bring one tablespoon to eight cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add a few olive leaves allowing the mixture to steep for ten minutes or so. Never boil loose olive leaf, as it can lose some of its oxygen and taste. An olive tea is best cold over ice.
- Tea Bags - Available in up to 100-pack containers, it's easy to brew your own olive leaf tea with ready-made tea bags.
- Extract Capsules - These contain both olive leaf and 20 percent oleuropein to keep your immune system strong.
- Powders - Great for drinks, tea, shakes and even if you want to make your own capsules.
- Liquid Extract - Add olive leaf extract to teas and other drinks; you'll enjoy this flavorful extract in almost any drink.
- Soap, Face and Skin Cream - Full of olive leaf extract, these skin products can help reduce redness, swelling, and help fight psoriasis.
Summing Up Olive Leaf Benefits
Herbalists warn that while olive leaf helps fight the bad pathogens in your body, olive leaf in and of itself does not cure any disease. Because olive leaf health benefits are many, make sure to ask a qualified herbalist or physician prior to taking any form of olive leaf. Keep in mind that when beginning your course of olive leaf supplements, vitamins, teas or extracts, you may experience some side effects that will decrease with continued use.
