The olive leaf extract, which its name implies, is taken from the olive leaf (Olea europaea), which has been used in medicine since ancient Egypt. The benefits from this extract are due to its high rate in oleuropein mostly, a compound with antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and antifungal properties. It is also thought that oleuropein can help burn fat more efficiently.
The usages of olive leaf extract cover from beating exhaustion and giving more energy, up to strengthen the cardiovascular and immune system. Other uses are:
- Fighting infections
- Fighting fungus
- Lowering high pressure
- Lower breast cancer risk.
- Quicken flu and cold recovering
- Ameliorate arthritis pain and inflammation
Antimicrobian, antifungal and antiviral properties: The olive leaf stops or avoid virus, bacterias, yeast fungus and other parasites growing. It is more effective than the supplements that strengthen our immune system because this extract takes care of killing the pathogens, so the immune system does not have to work.
Another advantage of olive leaf extract is, unlike antibiotics, fights infections without killing beneficial intestinal bacteria (probiotic). This is important since this bacteria plays an important role in the human immune system.
Olive leaf extract antioxidant properties: Preliminary studies have shown that oleuropein is an important antioxidant which helps reduce cardiovascular disease risk because it disables blood lipid oxidation. According to FoxNews, the antioxidant activity of the olive oil extract is even greater than tea’s.
Olive leaf extract for cardiovascular health: There are studies that have shown that oleuropein relaxes blood vessels, lowers arterial pressure and could avoid formation of blood clots. Besides, olive leaf also helps improve blood flow in coronary arteries and balancing sugar level in blood.
How to prepare olive leaf extract: To prepare olive oil extract, we can use fresh or dried leaves. We will use around 100-150 fresh leaves per litre of water. If dried leaves are used, reduce the amount to one-third.
We clean the leaves carefully, leaving them in bicarbonate water for some minutes, after that, we clean and rinse in-depth.
We place the leaves in water and we bring them to boil. When water is boiling, we lower the fire and simmer for 15 minutes.
After simmering, we pour the water (without the leaves) into glass bottles and we save them in the refrigerator.
How to consume it: It is recommended to have one teaspoon three times per day, along foods. If we find the taste of the extract too strong, it can be diluted with a little water.
Olive leaf extract can interact with some drugs, so it is reccommended to see a doctor before consuming it.