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With the cold and flu season in full swing,
we can certainly use some help from this
amazing tree!
Olive leaf shows strong antimicrobial
potential against many viruses, bacteria and
fungi.
The olive leaves may inhibit many types of
viruses due to calcium Elenolate (a
hydrolysis product of the oleuropein content
of olive leaf), which may prevent virus
shedding, budding or assembly at the cell
membrane; it may also penetrate infected
host cells to irreversibly inhibit viral
replication.(1,2)
Olive leaf can also rapidly relieve symptoms
of the common cold and flu.
Oleuropein from the olive leaves acts as a
natural antibiotic against other bacteria
such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli,
Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori and a range
of different intestinal parasite: flatworm,
hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm.
Another exciting application for Olive leaf
is its inhibiting effect on Candida
albicans.
Our warm, humid, moist weather here in
Cairns, and a diet high in Tropical Fruits
sets the perfect environment for a yeast
overgrowth known as Candida, in our
digestive system.
The use of Antibiotics, stress, poor diet
and drinking chlorinated water can also
contribute to an imbalance in our gut flora,
allowing Candida to take hold.
This yeast overgrowth can also spread to
other areas of our body, and causes symptoms
such as Thrush, bloating, indigestion,
excessive gas, skin complaints etc.
In vitro studies performed on the olive leaf
extract showed that Candida albicans was
killed following a 24 hour incubation in the
presence of a 15% (w/v) plant extract.(3)
For those of us who suffer from High Blood
Pressure or angina pectoris – Olive Leaf is
an excellent choice! In a 1996 study, 30
patients were treated with 1600mg of OLE for
3 months. The treatment resulted in a
statistically significant decrease in blood
pressure in all patients. Olive leaves also
improve the pumping action of the cardiac
muscle and improves blood circulation to the
heart.(4)
Many brands advocate that fresh leaf liquids
contain more antioxidants than dried leaf
extracts. However there is no evidence to
support this. Tests demonstrate that over
time oleuropein deteriorates more quickly in
liquid extracts even given the superior
antimicrobial function of the olive leaf.
With all of these powerful actions, the
olive leaf is a truly amazing herb, and a
‘must have’ in the remedy cabinet at home.
Olive leaf extract is available in a liquid
extract or dried leaf capsules.
Warnings/contraindications – There are no
known major safety issues for olive leaf,
although those with a known allergy to the
Oleaceae family of plants should avoid this
herb.
Please advise your health care
advisor/Naturopath of your current
medications before taking olive leaf.
Written by Karen Lade, Adv. Dip Nat, Herbal
Med. and Nutrition
References
-
Renis, H.
E. In vitro antiviral activity of
Calcium elenolate. Antimicrobial Agents
and Chemotherapy. 1969:167-171, 1970
-
Juven et
al. Studies on the mechanism of the
antimicrobial action of oleuropein.
Journal of Applied Bacteriology.
35:559-567, 1972
-
Markin, D.
et. Al. In vitro antimicrobial activity
of olive leaves. Mycoses. 2003
Apr;46(3-4):132-6.
-
Khosh, F.
Natural approach to hypertension.
Alternative Medicine Review. 6(6),2001
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