Olive Leaf

by Kat Matina March 12, 2020

We eat the fruit as an aperitif or to garnish our pizzas; we use the oil every day for our salads... But did you know that apart from these well-known uses, the olive tree, and more particularly its leaves, have very useful benefits for our health? Zoom in on olive leaves...

General presentation of the olive leaf

The olive tree, or Olea europaea, is a fruit tree of the Oleaceae family whose fruit is the olive that we know well. The olive tree has been cultivated for several millennia, mainly in regions with a Mediterranean climate. Although known as a medium-sized tree, the olive tree can reach up to 20 meters in height in the wild.

The olive tree has a twisted trunk and cracked bark, and produces delicate white flowers. It can be several hundred years old. In herbal medicine, it is the leaves that are mainly used, for their many therapeutic virtues.

Composition and medicinal properties of olive leaves

Olive leaves contain two main active compounds: hydroxytyrosol, also known by the simplified name of tyrosol; and oleuropein. Both are from the flavonoid family, that is, natural antioxidants.

Olive leaves promote optimal functioning of our cardiovascular system. Their active compounds have ACE inhibitory properties that play an important role in the health of our heart and arteries.

ACE is an enzyme, called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, which acts as an aggravating factor promoting the onset of blood pressure and the risks of cardiovascular disorders in general. By inhibiting the activity of these enzymes, olive leaves reduce the risks of pathologies of the heart, arteries, blood pressure and blood circulation, and in particular prevent the formation of blood clots.

The active ingredients present in olive leaves also have the ability to fight against the formation of bad cholesterol , LDL cholesterol, which appears when HDL cholesterol is subject to oxidation. Also, olive leaves would act beneficially on metabolism and blood triglyceride levels.

This is why it is one of the main ingredients along with the other 5 powerful components of our dietary supplement Lipidim , specially designed to help normalize “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and optimize your ratios of “good” cholesterol HDL/LDL and improve lipid metabolism.

As powerful antioxidants, olive leaves fight against the effects of free radicals. Thus they prevent and reduce cellular aging and oxidation of cells in general, linked to the various pollutions to which we are subjected on a daily basis. Free radicals are known to cause damage to our DNA as well.

Consuming olive leaves is said to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood glucose levels. It is therefore beneficial for people suffering from metabolic disorders, diabetes or who are overweight.

Finally, it seems that the use of olive leaves effectively fights against viral infections, bacteria, and has antifungal effects, excellent in cases of mycosis for example.

What does science say about the properties of olive leaves…

Several clinical studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of olive leaf consumption on cardiovascular health. A preliminary study involving 50 subjects with mild hypertension showed that taking 1000 mg of olive leaf extract daily for several weeks reduced blood pressure by as much as 8% (1).

Another study also showed a decrease in diastolic and systolic blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. These positive effects have so far only been observed in hypertensive subjects, and not in healthy subjects in general (2).

As for the effects of olive leaves on cholesterol, research shows us positive results, although still unstable, requiring further research and better structuring of protocols. Let us mention two trials. In the first, overweight men without metabolic “abnormalities” benefited from a daily oral intake of olive leaf extract titrated at 51.1 mg of oleuropein and 9.7 mg of hydroxytyrosol, for 6 weeks. (3).

In the second clinical trial, consumption of olive leaf extract resulted in a significant reduction in blood triglyceride levels as well as a marked decrease in cholesterol levels in people with high blood pressure (4).

A double-blind study in male subjects aged 18 to 45 years showed that olive leaves have the ability to reduce DNA biomarker oxidation by 49 to 51%, which is a very significant reduction in the risk of damage (5).

Finally, the consumption of 50 mg of olive leaf extract, including 50 mg of oleuropein, showed positive effects on overweight people in a 6-week double-blind study. However, further research by independent laboratories would be necessary to avoid conflicts of interest when analyzing the results (6).

Dosage and contraindications of olive leaves

Olive leaves are available commercially in the form of capsules or in the form of leaves to be prepared as an infusion or decoction.

To prepare an infusion of olive leaves, pour 1 liter of boiling water into a container containing 50g of dried and chopped leaves. Let infuse for 20 minutes. Filter and drink 1 cup after meals.

For a decoction, boil 40g of leaves in 1 liter of boiling water. Drink one cup after meals.

If you opt for capsules, it will be better to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. However, we have seen, through our review of the scientific studies carried out, that a daily intake of 500 to 1000mg per day does not present any danger to health.

Taking olive leaf extracts is safe for health. In very rare cases it has been reported to cause minor stomach upsets.

Apart from that, it might actually enhance the effect of blood pressure lowering drugs and some blood sugar lowering treatments.

Olive leaves, a gentle supplement for the body

Both scientific research and traditional uses of olive leaves show us the health benefits of its use. A gentle natural treatment, olive leaf extract can be used as a preventative, to alleviate certain ailments when the health problem is detected quickly and is only at the stage of its onset, but can also effectively accompany certain long-term treatments.

Lipidim our cholesterol lowering supplement contains olive leaves in the perfect amount to help you with your cardiovascular health and weight management . You can learn more about this effective product here .