Olive leaf extract

Kingdom: Plantae

Family: Oleaceae

Genus: Olea

Species: O. europaea

We are all familiar with olive oil and it's health benefits, but during my recent studied I have stumbled across olive leaf as a phytomedicine. It's properties and uses seem to make it an idea medicine for Fibromyalgia.

*Olive leaf (Olea europaea) was first used medicinally in Ancient Egypt. It is gaining recognition as a powerful defender against sickness and numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the extract's beneficial properties. The reported benefits of olive leaf extract range from promoting increased energy and healthy blood pressure, to supporting the cardiovascular system and the immune system.
Olives are native to Asia Minor and Syria, but are cultivated in Mediterranean countries and also Chile, Peru and South Australia. Olive leaf was first used medicinally in Ancient Egypt and was a symbol of heavenly power. It was also used to mummify Pharaohs. More recent knowledge of the olive leaf's medicinal properties dates back to the early 1800s when pulverised leaves were used in a drink to lower fevers. A few decades later, green olive leaves were used in tea as a treatment for malaria.
Modern health professionals first started using Olive Leaf extract in 1995 when it first became available and although a long-term perspective is not yet possible, initial results are very positive. It is emerging as a very promising and unique herb with multiple applications. It shows considerable therapeutic action against many common conditions. Olive leaf extract is gaining recognition as a powerful defender against sickness, and numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the extract's beneficial properties. The reported benefits of olive leaf extract's range from promoting increased energy and healthy blood pressure, to supporting the cardiovascular system, and the immune system.

Description

Evergreen tree growing to 30ft. Has deeply grooved grey trunk. Small leathery, lancedate leaves with an entire margin. Small greenish to white clusters of flowers. Green fruit ripening to black.

Active constituents

The primary medical constituents contained in unprocessed olive leaf is believed to be the antioxidants oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, as well as several other polyphenols and flavonoids, including oleocanthal.

Uses

influenza, the common cold, candida infections, meningitis, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), encephalitis, herpes I and II, human herpes virus 6 and 7, shingles (Herpes zoster), HIV/ARC/AIDS, chronic fatigue, hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, malaria, dengue, severe diarrhoea, and dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections, improved psoriasis, normalisation of heart beat irregularities, diminished cravings, less pain from haemorrhoids, toothaches and chronically achy joints.

Contraindication
None known

Method of administration

Olive leaf can be taken as a liquid concentrate, dried leaf tea, powder, or capsule. The leaf extracts can be taken in powder, liquid concentrate, or capsule form though the fresh-picked leaf liquid extracts are quickly gaining popularity due to the broader range of healing compounds they contain.

*With thanks to http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-olive-leaf.html.