Olive Leaf Extract powder

What is Olive Leaf Extract powder?

The term “olive leaf” refers to a mixture of leaves and branches from both the pruning of olive trees and the harvesting and cleaning of olives. The production of olive leaves from pruning is ~25 kg per olive tree, and 5% of the weight of harvested olives collected at the oil mill can be added to that weight. Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaves have been widely used in traditional remedies in European and Mediterranean countries. They have been used in the human diet as extracts, herbal teas, and powder and contain several potentially bioactive compounds with a range of health benefits.

Olive leaf extract is obtained from specific parts of the olive tree and is used to build the human immune system. It is an antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic substance that has been used since the time of the Ancient Egyptians.      

In the 1800s, olive leaf extract was used to treat malaria. In the 1960s, scientists discovered that the extract could lower blood pressure, increase blood flow in the coronary arteries and prevent intestinal muscle spasms.

Chemical constituents of Olive Leaf Extract powder

In 2007, Pereira reported that seven phenolic compounds in olive leaf extract  were identified and quantified:  caffeic acid, verbascoside, oleuropein, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, apigenin 7-O-glucosde and luteolin 4'-O-glucoside. 

Benefits of taking Olive Leaf Extract powder supplements:

According to findings in laboratory studies, olive leaf extract is effective in fighting microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa among others that cause numerous diseases. The olive leaf extract has strong eradicating tendencies which include:

The capability to hinder the production of amino acids necessary for viruses to thrive.The ability to help in managing infectivity due to viruses by causing this microorganism to become dormant or by impeding the successful reproduction, leaving of the cell without lysis, or assembly of the virus within host cells at the cell membrane.

The capacity to directly break through infected cells and eradicate viral reproduction Preventing phagocytosis or ingestion of harmful cells and foreign substances in the body Working against bacteria and viruses.

Anti-ageing properties: Probably the most popular cosmetics today are anti ageing creams. Olive leaf extracts are actually a great alternative to anti ageing creams owing to their amazing composition which improve health, wellness and bring about overall longetivity. The olive leaf extracts are assumed to improve immune system function, which keeps away many diseases and infections. 

The most important health benefit of this leaf is that its extracts improve circulation of blood, which keeps the organs healthy, eliminate toxin accumulations, and thereby keep the skin glowing and healthy.

Antioxidant properties: Olive leaf extracts are loaded with antioxidants which fight away free radicals that cause cancer. They also help protect the blood vessels from damage and have thought to reverse the effects of atherosclerosis. 

The olive leaves have both astringent and antiseptic qualities which make them an all-rounder. 

The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test has found that olive leaf extract has nearly twice as many antioxidants as grape seed extract and is five times more powerful than vitamin C. It is also said to be more potent than antioxidant-rich noni, goji, mangosteen, cranberries, blueberries and pomegranate. The National Cancer Institute states that antioxidants "may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer."

Anti-hypertensive properties: With increased stress levels, hypertension can be a serious problem. That's when olive leaf extracts can come handy. These extracts are thought to be anti-hypertensive in function, which significantly lower blood pressure, thereby preventing any heart complications that may arise. 

Side effects and safety of Olive Leaf Extract powder

People who are on a strong dosage of olive leaf extract capsules or tinctures may experience stomach irritation. This can be offset by diluting the tincture with water or fruit juice. Similarly capsules should be taken after food to avoid gastrointestinal irritation though this may reduce its potentiality. In some case, olive leaf extract supplements may affect people with an overgrowth of parasitic Candida albicans leading to diarrhea. People suffering from low blood pressure may suffer from added dizziness by taking olive leaf extract supplements. Hence precautions should be taken in the form of appropriate dosage to prevent any health hazard. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid olive leaf extracts.