Olive leaf extract: effect and application

Olive leaf extract is characterized by a variety of healing properties and can therefore optimally accompany the therapy of a wide variety of diseases. We will show you how the olive leaf extract works and how to use it.

That’s behind olive leaf extract

Olive trees can live well over 1000 years and survive with little rain. The olive tree has been cultivated since the 4th millennium BC. used by humans. There is a lot more to the gnarled trees and leaves than you might think at first glance. The life force of the trees is transferred to leaves and fruits. While the fruits mostly just as olives or olive oil consumed, you can take the olive leaves as a tea or the olive leaf extract from it in capsule or liquid form.

The olive leaves already found a place in the range of medicines of the ancient Greeks, Romans and other Mediterranean peoples. Many different diseases have been treated with them.

The olive leaf extract found its way into naturopathy quite late, but thanks to its higher content of active ingredients it is all the more obvious and impresses with the diverse effects that it is said to have.

The main active ingredient in olive leaf extract: oleuropein

Oleuropein is a natural substance with an antioxidant effect, which is mainly found in the leaves of the olive tree.

Olive leaf extract contains a much higher dose of this component than the fruit. While fresh olives have an oleuropein content of between 4 and 350 milligrams per 100 grams of olives, the usual olive leaf extracts contain between 800 and 950 milligrams per 100 milliliters.

The effect of olive leaf extract

Olive leaf extract is said to have numerous healing effects, but since research into olive leaves and their ingredients only began in the 20th century, many of the effects have not yet been clearly proven from a research perspective. The previous studies, which have shown quite good results, have mostly been carried out on animals or in test tubes and should therefore be used with caution. However, we would like to introduce you to some of the supposed effects of olive leaf extract so that you can form your own opinion and possibly try out some of the effects yourself.

According to various studies, the main active ingredient oleuropein works

• antimicrobial and
• has antiviral effects.
• It can promote heart health and prevent cancer and
• anti-inflammatory,
• Lower blood pressure and expand blood vessels.
• It is said to help with hypothyroidism and
• help with diabetes and obesity.

So a true all-round talent. If you have symptoms, this certainly does not save you from going to the doctor, but it can possibly have a very good supporting effect. Under no circumstances should you take or replace essential medication and you should discuss the intake of olive leaf extract with a doctor in advance.

Obtaining the olive leaf extract

As the name suggests, olive leaf extract is obtained from the leaves of the olive tree. The quality of these leaves is therefore of crucial importance.

In a few steps to the olive leaf extract:

1. Harvesters usually pick the leaves by hand. Harvest time is between April and July.
2. They are then promptly pressed to obtain the extract.
3. One liter of extract is made from around seven kilograms of leaves.

Sometimes the olive leaf extract is also available in capsule form. The leaves are dried and then ground.

When buying, you should make sure that the extract comes from organic farming to avoid pesticide residues.

In case you’re wondering if you can easily make olive leaf extract yourself, unless you happen to own an olive plantation, you probably won’t. After all, for some extract you need a very large amount of olive leaves.

How to use Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract is available from mail-order pharmacies or online drugstores, among others. As already mentioned, the olive leaf extract comes in two dosage forms: as a capsule or liquid. You may want to start with the capsules first, as they are usually better tolerated at the beginning. In addition, they have a longer shelf life, are cheaper and the bitter taste is eliminated.

The advantage of the liquid extract is the higher dosage in which the oleuropein occurs. Here you should make sure when buying that it is as pure as possible and not mixed with additional sugar or alcohol.

Basically, you should read the package insert and consult your doctor in case of side effects. Pregnant and chronically ill people should talk to their doctor before self-therapy with olive leaf extract.

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