Mar 21, 2014

Did You Know...

The liquid extracted from the olive leaf holds antioxidant properties double that of green tea and more than triple that of vitamin C supplements?

According to Dr. Stevenson of Southern Cross University, of the 55 herbs tested in the study, the aqueous/methanol extract of the olive leaf demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. The antioxidants contained in olive leaf extract are believed to minimize the effect of free radical damage, leaving far more of our immune system's resources available for fighting off the many threats to continued well being.

In spite of its obvious strength, Olive Leaf extract has few side effects and can generally be safely used by nursing or pregnant moms and children under two. The only contraindication, (instance where it should not be used) listed in The Physicians Desk Reference for Herbal Medicine, is gallstone sufferers.               


As the first botanical mentioned in the Bible, there is something very special about the olive leaf. Ancient Egypt may have been the first to recognize it’s medicinal value, using it’s oil to mummify their kings.

Hundreds of years later, in 1854 we have an entry by Daniel Hanbury in the British Pharmacuetical Journal who believed the bitterness of the olive leaf made it valuable. He shares a simple healing recipe:      
Boil a handful of leaves in a quart of water down to half the original volume, then administer the liquid in the amount of a wineglass every 3-4 hours until the fever is cured.

Decades later, scientists isolated a bitter substance from the olive leaf and named it oleuropein. Daniel Hanbury was right. Oleuropein is an important part of the compound produced by the olive tree that makes it particularly robust and resistant to insect and bacterial damage. 
For more information on the study visit:  http://scu.edu.au/news/media.phpitem_id=728&action=show_item

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