Olive Leaf Benefits & Side Effects

The olive tree has been called the "Tree of Life" because of its many healing benefits since its use in Ancient Egypt. In the early 1800s, olive leaves were used to reduce fever. By using olive leaf extract, you will increase your energy, boost your immune system and support your cardiovascular system as well as fight off a variety of viruses, bacteria and fungi including the common cold, HIV and athlete's foot.

Facts

• Olive leaf extract is an herbal supplement with the scientific name Olea europaea; it comes from fresh or dried leaves of the olive plant. The leaf contains oleuropein, the active disease-fighting compound. As an antioxidant, olive leaf extract boosts the body's immune system. In 1970, Upjohn Pharmaceuticals studied the effects of olive leaf extract and found no toxic or adverse side effects even when taken in high doses, states Herb Wisdom.

Benefits

• Olive leaf extract lowers cholesterol, fights HIV, reduces high blood pressure, fights viral and bacterial infections, and promotes urination. Olive leaf extract is used to treat inflammation and diabetes. Olive leaf extract may help fight cancer, but more research is needed. Olive leaf also fights off various fungi, shingles, polio virus, shingles virus, meningitis, pneumonia, vaginal yeast infections and athlete's foot as well as other illnesses and conditions. Using olive leaf extract will treat obesity and water retention.

Dosage

• Olive leaf extract is available in 500 mg capsules. As a preventative, one capsule taken twice a day is recommended for healthy adults. For colds or flu, take two capsules every 6 hours; and for acute infections, take three or four capsules every 6 hours for rapid results. It is recommended to take olive leaf extract before or between meals. Higher doses are recommended for older adults to receive maximum results.

  As a liquid extract, take 2 dropperfuls on an empty stomach twice daily. Take 2 dropperfuls every 2 hours if you suffer from cold, sinus or respiratory infections. Take 3 dropperfuls every 2 hours for sore throat, swollen glands and fever.

Identification

• Olive is a small evergreen tree that is native to the Mediterranean. With distinctive silver-green leaves and fleshy elliptical fruit, the oil and dried leaves are used for medicinal purposes, states Medicine Hunter. The tree has a gray fissured bark, further explains the Ageless website.

Warnings

• The "die-off" effect involves the body's healing process by getting rid of toxins. Sometimes it is necessary for the body to cause mild effects including headaches, swelling in the mouth, sinuses or throat, rashes, fatigue, diarrhea, muscle or joint achiness or other flulike symptoms. If this occurs, simply increase the amount of water you drink, reduce the quantity of the olive leaf extract, or take a break from using olive leaf extract for a day or two and then resume with a lower dose, explains The Natural Path.

  No severe side effects have been reported. However, severe respiratory allergies are caused by olive tree pollen. Do not take if you are pregnant or lactating. Talk to your health care provider in case of drug-herb interactions. Do not take if you are on antibiotics or Coumadin. If you are diabetic, monitor your blood glucose levels as a safety precaution. More research on humans is needed.