Olive leaf refers to the leaves of the olive tree (Olea europaea), a plant native to the Mediterranean region. These leaves have been traditionally used for various medicinal purposes. They contain several bioactive compounds, including oleuropein, which is believed to contribute to their health benefits.

History of Olive Leaf Use

Olives are native to Asia Minor and Syria, but are cultivated in Mediterranean countries and also Chile, Peru and South Australia. The leaves of the Olive Tree (Olea europaea) were first used medicinally in Ancient Egypt and were a symbol of heavenly power. They were 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.

Olive Leaf is gaining recognition as a powerful defender against illness, and numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the extract’s beneficial properties.

The Olive Tree also produces Olive Oil from the olive fruits.

Modern Day Use of Olive Leaf

Modern day health professionals started using Olive Leaf extract around 1995 when it became available, and results are very positive.

Olive leaf extract shows considerable therapeutic action against many common conditions and is emerging as a very promising and unique herb with multiple applications. It is gaining recognition as a powerful defender against illness, and numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the extract’s beneficial properties.

Health Benefits of Olive Leaf

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. Olive leaf extract is commonly used as a natural remedy for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and infections due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Additionally, olive leaf may support cardiovascular health, immune function and overall well-being.

Some patients have expressed other unexpected benefits of olive leaf, including improved psoriasis, normalisation of heart beat irregularities, diminished cravings, less pain from hemorrhoids, toothaches and chronically achy joints.

In addition, both the leaves and the bark have valuable febrifuge qualities, meaning that they can lower fever. They are also astringent and antiseptic.

Anti-viral Effects of Olive Leaf

Many people who have stressful lives, or who may be particularly susceptible to colds and viruses, may benefit from long-term use of olive leaf as a preventive agent.

Research suggests that olive leaf may be a true anti-viral compound because it appears to selectively block an entire virus-specific system in the infected host. This appears to offer healing effects not addressed by pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Olive leaf’s broad killing power includes an ability to interfere with critical amino acid production for viruses; an ability to contain viral infection and/or spread by inactivating viruses by preventing virus shredding, budding or assembly at the cell membrane; the ability to directly penetrate infected cells and stop viral replication.

From research and clinical experience to date, we can say that supplemental olive leaf may be beneficial in the treatment for conditions caused by, or associated with, a virus, retrovirus, bacterium or protozoan.

Among those treatable conditions are: 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, gonorrhea, malaria, dengue, severe diarrhea, and dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections.

Oleuropein from Olive Leaf

In the early 1900s, scientists isolated a bitter compound called Oleuropein from olive leaf that was thought to give the olive tree its disease resistance.

In 1962 an Italian researcher recorded that Oleuropein had the ability to lower blood pressure in animals. It dilates the blood vessels so that blood may flow more easily throughout the system. Other European researchers validated that claim and also found it to increase blood flow in the coronary arteries, relieve arrhythmia and prevent intestinal muscle spasms.

A Dutch researcher then identified that a primary ingredient in oleuropein inhibited the growth of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. This chemical was elenolic acid. Further European research determined this compound to have strong bactericidal, antiviral and antifungal capabilities.

A safety study on calcium elenolate was tested with laboratory animals and published by the Upjohn pharmaceutical company in 1970. The study concluded that even in doses several hundred times higher than recommended; no toxic or other adverse side effects were discovered.

Antioxidant Effects of Olive Leaf

As an antioxidant, Olive leaf extract protects blood vessels from damage, and has been shown to be effective in protecting the heart from coronary occlusion. When taken over an extended period of time, it is believed to reverse arteriosclerosis.

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Olive Leaf Herb Notes / Side Effects

There is very little information regarding Olive Leaf and how it can affect the development of a fetus or a baby. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Olive Leaf should not be used by diabetics due to its potential blood sugar lowering properties.

Latin Name

Olea europaea

Common Names

Olive, Olive Leaf, Olive Tree, Olivier

Properties of Olive Leaf

Astringent, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, anti-viral, febrifuge, immune-boosting, tranquilizer

Olive Leaf is Indicated for:

Stabilising blood sugar levels, parasites (giardia, intestinal worms, malaria forming protozoa, microscopic protozoa, pinworms, ringworm, roundworm, tapeworms), boosting immune function, fighting infection, increasing resistance to disease, lowering blood pressure, abdominal chill, anthrax, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, barium chloride and calcium induced arrhythmia, boosts energy levels, brain and nervous conditions, candida, cardiovascular conditions, chest complaints, chlamydia, chronic fatigue, chronic joint ache, chronic toenail fungus infection, colds & flu, cold sores, dengue, dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections, dissolves cholesterol, encephalitis, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), fevers, fibromyalgia, gastric ulcers caused by H. pylori, gastrointestinal conditions, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, haemorrhoid pain-relief, hepatitis A, B, C, herpes I and II, HIV/ARC/AIDS, human herpesvirus 6 and 7, improves blood flow, improves symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and related conditions, increases bile secretions, lupus, malaria, meningitis (bacterial/viral), mononucleosis, nervous tension, normalisation of heart beat irregularities, pneumonia, psoriasis, rabies, respiratory conditions, rheumatic fever, salmonella, severe diarrhea, shingles, shingles (Herpes zoster), sinus infections, soothes mucous membranes, staphylococcal food poisoning, streptococcus infection in throat, syphilis, toothache, toxic shock syndrome, trichinosis, tuberculosis, vaginitis, vasodilator effect on the smooth layer of coronary arteries, warts.