History and Origin
Olive is one of the oldest plants that we know. The olive tree is 6000 to 7000 years old and its origin is Greek. In the ancient years, in addition to the olive itself, they built shelter from their trees and used it to produce fuel and medicine. The olive tree symbolizes intelligence and peace in the Bible they mentioned Greek myths and Egypt art.
Olive Leaf Health Benefits
1. Increasing Antioxidant Activity
Olive leaves contain oleuropein that has antioxidant property. In a study, the effect of olive leaf extract on amount of Th17 cells-associated cytokines was investigated. Based on this study, the extract of this plant showed antioxidant effect on oxidative indexes in rats’ brain but it had no significant effect on amount of mentioned cytokines. The researchers concluded that protective effect of olive leaf extract on inflammatory disease is probably due to its antioxidant properties not to the moderation of Th17 cells-associated cytokines.
* Cytokines are proteins that play a role in regulating the body immune.
* Th17 cells are a kind of executive cells involved in immune mechanisms.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
Considering the inflammatory effects of methanolic extract of olive tree leaf in male adult mice from the NMRI race showed that this extract can has anti-inflammatory effect. Flavonoids have inhibitory property on many effective enzymes in inflammation such as Kinase protein A2 phospholipase and phosphodiesterase. Flavonoids caused to reduce releasing of some inflammatory factors such as cytokine and Histamine ingredients and decrease the pain through inhibiting or reducing of these enzymes activity.
3. Anti-Microbial
The effect of olive leaf extracts on bacteria was investigated. The results showed that the extracts of acetone, ethanol and methanol of olive leaf had inhibitory effect on E. coli (Escherichia coli). Olive leaf contains the ingredients such as caffeic acid, tannin, oleuropein and trisol that have anti-microbial property. According to researches the inhibitory effect of phenolic ingredients can be attributed to disruption of cell membrane function, reaction with enzymes, substrates, and prevention of cell access to metal ions.
4. Improving Cardiovascular System Function
Antiarrhythmic effect of olive leaf extract was considered in animal models and results have shown that the extract of this plant can have protective effect on heart if used for more than one week. In the opinion of researchers, olive leaf extract due to have antioxidant, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory and reducing blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure properties, protects heart against oxidative injury. In another study the antiarrhythmic effect of olive leaf triterpenoid compounds (including ursolic acid) was observed in rats and this effect in some cases was comparable with antiarrhythmic drugs available on the market.
5. Regulating Blood Pressure
In an experiment that its result was published in Phytomedicine journal, the effect of olive leaf on reducing blood pressure of patients with stage-1 hypertension was considered. Based on results the leaf extract of this plant was similarly effective in lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressures in subjects with stage-1 hypertension as Captopril (reducer blood pressure drug).
The other experiment findings have shown that aqueous-alcoholic extract of olive leaf reduces blood pressure (systolic pressure and diastolic pressure and arterial average pressure) in mice. This effect can be caused by presence of oleuropein and types of phenolic ingredients in leaves as Apigenin and types of flavonoids as Diosmin and Routine. The other findings have also shown that Apigenin in isolated vessels of rat causes the expansion of the vessels by suppressing voltage dependent calcium currents also it has shown that Apigenin reduces contractile activity caused by Noradrenaline in Aorta smooth muscle.
6. Regulating Blood Cholesterol Levels
Based on gained result of a research, the use of certain amounts of olive leaves has properties of hypocholesterolemia and anti-atherosclerotic. The results have shown that the diethyl ether extract of olive leaf reduces the cholesterol level of all plasma. Oleuropein content in olive leaf prevents LDL oxidant and because oxidation is the main stage in formation of plaque (fat deposition) of Atherosclerosis, olive leaf with inhibition of LDL oxidation prevents formation of Atherosclerosis plaque in artery wall. Olive leaves increase the HDL plasma level.
7. Regulating Blood Glucose Levels
Based on a research report in Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences, the extract of olive leaf has protective effect against diabetes. According to these researchers, olive leaf mechanism on reducing blood glucose can be attributed, at least partly, to increase skeletal muscle uptake of glucose, inhabitation of hepatic glyconeogenesis, insulin mimetic effect and antioxidant activity.
In a study in Alternative Medicine Review journal, the use of 16 and 32 mg/kg body weight of olive leaf, reduces blood glucose, raise insulin levels and increases glucose peripheral absorption in diabetic retinopathy.
In another experiment, feed oleuropein to diabetic retinopathy to amount of 5 and 10 mg/g increases GHS (a type of antioxidant) serum. This ingredient can with reducing production of free radicals derived from alloxan and protecting of Beta cells prevents diabetes incidence after injection alloxan to the mice.
Research findings that its results were published in Plos One journal showed that polyphenols content in olive leaf increases allergy to insulin and secretory capacity of pancreas beta cells in overweight middle-aged men at risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.
In another experiment the alcoholic extract of olive leaf increases insulin of diabetic rat serum and this increasing was more than the effect of Glibenclamide drug. Hypoglycemie activity (decreasing blood glucose) of olive leaf can be due to the presence of Oleuropeoside compound in the leaf of this plant. This ingredient probably acts by enhancing of insulin release and increasing peripheral absorption of glucose. The leaf of olive prevents acute Hypertension (high blood pressure) and Atherosclerosis (arteries sclerosis) and improves the resistance to insulin in animals.
Oleuropein and tannin in olive leaf acts as inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase and reduces absorption of carbohydrate in the gut. inhibition of Amylase pancreas activity is other suggestion mechanism for effect of olive leaf on reducing blood glucose.
8. Increasing Fertility
In an experiment the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of olive leaf was considered on amounts of sexual hormones and sperm production in male rats. Increasing blood glucose leads to structural and functional changes in reproductive activities. The results showed that olive leaf extract reduces side effects of diabetes on amounts of sexual hormones and spermatogenesis (formation of sperm) and improves function of pituitary-testicle hormonal axis followed by diabetes induction. Oleuropein content in olive leaf extract inhibits increasing blood glucose and oxidative stress caused by diabetes. Nitric oxide is effective on hypothalamus-hypophysis-testicle axis. This ingredient increases the secretion of gonadotropins (the cells in hypophysis gland of brain that secretes gonadotropin hormone) and sperm motility. oleuropein content in olive leaf extract increases the activity of Nitric oxide synthase enzyme and increases the production of nitric oxide.
9. Improving Nervous System Function
In a study the positive effect of olive leaf extract in prevention of incidence of moving defects caused by diabetic neuropathy (disorder in nerves) in rats was observed that the high blood sugar caused weak blood flow of capillaries to the nerves and oxidative stress. Neuronal death and nervous apoptosis are the source of neuropathy of diabetic sensory neuropathy. Phenolic ingredients of olive leaf as oleuropein and tyrosol can prevent neuronal destruction and cellular apoptosis with enhancing antioxidant system of cell. Another reason of diabetes complications and hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) that cause neuronal apoptosis is a lot entrance of calcium to neurons. Olive leaf extract has property of calcium channel inhibitory.
10. Anti-cancer
Oleuropein is one of the most important ingredients of olive that has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Recently researches indicated that this compound directly control HER-2 the gene of breast cancer. Pentacyclic triterpenes are from the other ingredients of olive that with induction of apoptosis (planned death of cell) in some cancer cellular ranks prevents theirs duplication. Oleanolic acid and Maslinic acid are ingredients that prevent growth of Astrocytoma cell lines (brain tumor) in laboratory. Additionally oleanolic acid shows a great antitumor effect itself for intestinal cancer model on rats. Furthermore, this ingredient prevents Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that causes blood supply to tumors) that is an important factor of solid tumors growth.
What Are Olive Leaf Side Effects?
1. When taken by mouth: No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
2. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking olive products if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use amounts greater than the amount commonly found in foods.
3. Diabetes: Olive oil might lower blood sugar. People with diabetes should check their blood sugar when using olive oil.
4. Surgery: Olive oil might affect blood sugar. Using olive oil might affect blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking olive oil 2 weeks before surgery.
Generally, every person may be allergic to certain herbs and spices. This sensitivity must be first diagnosed by the person and secondarily by the physician. However, these allergic reactions do not cause chronic or acute side effects, and after identifying the allergenic plant and removing it from the diet, allergy-related complications will be eliminated. No company or product can be aware of the allergic reactions of different bodies in advance. The body's incompatibility with one or more specific herbs rarely occurs, but consumers may encounter it anyway.
Olive Leaf Daily Dosage
3 to 4 cups throughout the day.
Bioactive Compounds
Some components of olive leaf include oleuropein, apigenin, kaempferol, quercetin, tyrosol, hydroxy tyrosol, rutin, diosmin, luteolin, oleanolic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid and maslinic acid.
Best Time to Consume
1-2 hours before or after meals.
Possible Drug Interactions
1. Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs): Olive and olive oil might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking olive oil along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide, insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol) and tolbutamide (Orinase).
2. Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs): Olive seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking olive along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
Traditional Use
In traditional medicine olive was used to reduce blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and inflammation. This plant was used to cure constipation, respiratory and urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal diseases, and asthma.
Some Questions about Olive Leaf
What is olive leaves good for?
Studies have shown that olive leaves can reduce blood pressure and blood glucose levels and have an antiarrhythmic effect. For more information, see the “Olive Leaf Health Benefits” section.
Does olive leaf fight viruses?
The strong antiviral activity of olive leaf extract against various viruses has been confirmed. This leaf contains the antimicrobial ingredients such as Caffeic acid, Tannin, oleuropein and Trisol. A 2022 study found that olive leaf extract can improve the clinical status of Covid-19 patients and is a safe and tolerable treatment for the majority of them.
Does olive leaf extract help with coughing?
Oleuropein, a phenylethanoid found in olive leaves, can inhibit inflammation in the lungs and airways. As a result, oleuropein appears to be a promising anti-inflammatory agent for treating lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Is olive good for belly fat?
Obesity causes a chronic state of low-grade inflammation caused by increased levels of proinflammatory adipokines like leptin and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory adipokines like adiponectin. Furthermore, lower adiponectin levels contribute to peripheral insulin resistance in obesity; and increased circulating leptin levels in obesity cause hypothalamic leptin resistance, which suppresses anorexigenic and energy expenditure signals and contributes to obesity aggravation.
According to a 2021 study, adding olive leaf extract to a hypocaloric diet (Calorie-Restricted Diet) for eight weeks reduced body weight, fat mass and body weight in obese women. Serum levels of fasting blood sugar, insulin, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, leptin, and fatty free acid were also significantly lower, while HDL cholesterol and adiponectin were elevated. These biological activities may be attributed to its bioactive compounds, which include oleuropein (the most abundant biophenol), verbascoside, catechin, rutin, luteolin, and hydroxytyrosol (in smaller amounts).
Can you take olive leaf every day? / Can I boil olive leaves and drink? / How much olive leaf should I take?
Yes. The olive leaf is available for oral use in mono and combination tea mixture preparations. To make tea, pour hot water over 2 teaspoonfuls of olive leaf powder and strain after 30 minutes. You can drink this tea 3 to 4 cups throughout the day.
Do olives have side effects?
The proper administration of therapeutic dosages is not associated with any side effects or health risks.
Who should not take olive leaf extract?
Before drinking olive leaf tea, consult your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
During pregnancy and breast-feeding, before a scheduled surgery, and people with diabetes, low blood pressure, or who take antihypertensive drugs.
Can olive leaf cause kidney problems? / Is olive leaf good for your kidneys?
According to a 2019 study, olive leaf aqueous extract is richness in active antioxidant compounds and has strong antioxidant activities. However, because of its high polyphenol and flavonoid content, the extract can protect kidney tissue from peroxidative damage and is safe for kidneys.
It should be noted that using olive leaf extracts for long periods and at high doses may have an undesirable effect on the liver and kidneys.
Is olive leaf beneficial for detoxifying the body?
- Antioxidant Properties: Olive leaves are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress, which occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, can damage blood vessels and contribute to high blood pressure. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals, thereby helping to lower blood pressure.
- Diuretic Effect: Olive leaf extract is believed to have a mild diuretic effect, which means it can increase urine production. This property can help reduce excess sodium and water in the body, thereby contributing to lower blood pressure.
- Improved Kidney Function: Some studies on animals have shown that bioactive compounds in olive leaves may have protective effects on kidney tissue and reduce the risk of kidney damage. A study on diabetic mice observed that aqueous olive leaf extract could reduce blood levels of urea and creatinine, while also improving kidney tissue structure and overall kidney function.
