The benefits of olive leaf extract can be traced back to ancient Mediterranean cultures, where the olive leaf was used in connection with a wide variety of illnesses. In recent years the olive leaf has been rediscovered by the herbal supplement community, and new therapeutic applications have been discovered.
What is olive leaf extract?
Olive leaf extract comes from the olive tree, a member of the evergreen family native to the Mediterranean region, but grown around the world. The therapeutic benefits of olive leaf extract lie in the active ingredient oleuropein.
Suggested Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract
- Anti-Inflammatory - Olive leaf extract contains a class of compounds called flavonoids, which possess anti-inflammatory abilities.
- Immune Enhancing - Studies have shown that people who have taken olive oil extract have achieved a better sense of wellness. The extract acts to boost the body's ability to ward of illness and disease.
- Interrupting Pathogens - Research points to olive extract's ability to stop the replication of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, in the body.
Other research has shown that benefits of olive leaf extract may include lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow, as well as lowering cholesterol levels.
How can you get the maximum benefits?
In order to get the maximum benefits of olive leaf extract, you have to make sure you are taking a supplement with standardized herbal extract of pure olive leaf. Many olive leaf products on the market do not use standardized extract, because it is much cheaper to produce. But beware, because these products do not contain enough active ingredients to offer you benefits of olive leaf extract.
Recommended Dosage
To prepare an olive tea, pour 5 ounces of hot water over 7 to 8 grams (about 2 teaspoonfuls) of crushed olive leaf and steep for 30 minutes. Drink 3 to 4 cups of olive tea daily.
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