The olive is a small Mediterranean evergreen tree, its characteristic green to blue-black fruit producing olive oil. The olive tree has been held in high esteem throughout history.
Moses reportedly decreed that men who cultivated the leaf be exempt from serving in the army. The ‘Olive branch’ represents peace and prosperity. Historically, medicinal use of olive leaf has been for treatment of fevers (particularly in reducing the symptoms of malaria ) and the topical treatment of wounds or infection. Studies show the active ingredient vauqueline to exert fever-lowering effects.
Olive leaf appears to selectively block an entire virus-specific system in the infected host. 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 the shredding or budding of viruses at the cell membrane; the ability to directly penetrate infected cells and stop viral replication. The active compound oleuropein has powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal properties. Extracts of olive leaf have been shown to inhibit a variety of organisms including herpes virus, influenza A, salmonella, staphylococcus, and E coli.
Oleuropein also has blood pressure lowering properties. It dilates the coronary arteries surrounding the heart, and prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
There are no known contraindications to taking olive leaf, however it is best taken with food as it may irritate the stomach lining in sensitive people.
Olive Leaf is available in 400mg capsules from an Irish company called Macanta for €16.95 and in a product called TRI-IMMUNE mixed with ARA-Larix and Andrographis. This is a wonderful immune system booster and costs €30.59 for 60 tablets.
For further information contact Susan in Au Naturel, Irishtown, Athlone on 090 6487993.
