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Amazing Ancient Healing Powers of the Olive Tree Explained
Author photo Written by Lucille Chi
Published on February 9th, 2009
Posted in culinary traditions, nutrition and health, organics
The olive tree contains great symbolism. We all know and love the beautiful branches depicted in art, the delicious olives, and olive oil naturally, but did you know that olive leaves are medicinal and healing? Olive leaf extract comes from the leaves of the olive tree, and the leaf contains antioxidants as well as antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory healing properties.
Recorded history of olive leaf’s medicinal use dates back thousands of years, as it was used by the ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean cultures as a medicine and health tonic. Olive leaf is the first botanical cited in the Bible as well. Now modern natural medicine has rediscovered the healing leaves of the olive tree.
These days, olive leaf is known in science worldwide to be anti-aging, and an immunostimulant, that can also act as a natural antibiotic. In fact it was recently proven that an extract made directly from fresh olive leaves was shown to have an antioxidant power almost double green tea extract and 400% higher than Vitamin C.
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Olive leaf contains antioxidant properties that help protect the body from environmental damage, and free radicals. Olive leaf can be taken as a liquid extract, tea, powder or capsule. Olive leaf is taken to fight colds and flu, infections, it’s a good heart tonic, and it has also been proven to reduce bad cholesterol.
Here is a simple recipe for grinding up the leaves to make delightful olive leaf tea. If you are looking for a really good organic variety, check out Edible Nature. Do you have an olive tree in your garden or nearby? What magical healing properties it contains!
Above image of an olive tree is in the public domain.
Recipes and more info on uses of Olive tea:
http://www.olivetea.com/olive_tea_preparation.htm
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http://www.olivetea.com/olive_tea_preparation.htm
Olive Leaf Tea Recipe
Preparation Instructions
A Healthful Treat Tastes Delicious
Amazing Organic Tea Leaves Can be Served Hot or Chilled.
Preparation Instructions (preventative medicine)
Olivus Cured and Cut Loose Leaf - Place one large teaspoon (approx. 10g) in a tea ball or herb sack. Drop into two quarts boiling water, immediately reduce heat to a medium simmer and let tea brew in covered pot for three to ten minutes. Stir tea occasionally, strain to drink and/or refrigerate. Tea should be a medium amber color. To combat a specific ailment sip refrigerated or re-heated tea and consume entire two quarts over a two day period.
Olivus Olive Leaf Tea Bags - Pour hot water over tea bag directly into drinking cup. Allow to steep covered for approximately five minutes and enjoy. Tea bags can be brewed like the loose leaf for larger quantities, five tea bags per quart of water
Tea dosage: Preventative - 1-3 cups per week. / Specific ailment - 3 servings per day for 3 to 5 days (average)
Olivus Olive Leaf Powder - Use olive leaf powder for powdered tea, in blended drinks or for cooking. Place a small teaspoon in hot water, your favorite smoothie or casserole recipe.
Olivus capsules are recommended 1-3 per day. 1 per day for preventative support to the immune system and up to 3 per day when fighting a specific ailment or condition.
Delicious, Unique Flavor
Olivus olive leaf tea tastes like nothing else. A light steeping delivers a satisfying mellow flavor. Longer steeping or brewing in a tea press creates a stronger, slightly bitter infusion (from the active ingredient Oleuropein) than can be mellowed with a slice of fresh lemon, stevia, soy, milk, sugar and other herbal flavorings. Serve hot or chilled. Olivus also leaf blends well with Green and other teas/herbs.
Have fun, experiment and send us your delicious, fun healthful mixtures.
Super Crock Brew - High-strength Olivus
Place 8 ounces (half of a one pound bag) of dried olive leaves (use olea europaea species only) in a 5 or 6 quart Crock-Pot. Add one gallon of filtered or distilled water. Turn heat on low. 6 hours later, check the temperature with a candy thermometer (from your hardware store). When the temperature falls between a range of 175° to 185°, move cover off center about 1/4 inch so some heat escapes. This should stabilize the temperature for the next 5 hours. The ideal temperature range to make the tea is at least 175° but not more than 185° Fahrenheit. At the 11th hour, add water lost through evaporation until it returns to its original level. Center cover so no more heat escapes and leave on low for one more hour. Total time to make the tea is 12 hours. Let is cool for 2 to 4 hours, then strain and store in glass bottles in a refrigerator until used. Discard what is not used within two weeks. Also, discard sooner if a film of mold appears in the jar. A lab test by Irvine Labs using the HPLC method showed 213 mg of oleuropein per 1/2 cup of this home made formula.
Olive leaf tea contains the active ingredient “oleuropein” which scientific studies have shown has anti-viral, anti-fungal and some anti-bacterial properties. The usual adult dose is 1/2 cup twice a day, although two persons had better results using 1/2 cup 3 times a day.
Make Your Own Olive Leaf Tea
It is easy to prepare olive leaf for tea at home. First find a good old Manzanillo or Mission olive tree. May and June are the best times to harvest the leaves because they are preparing to pollinate and have the highest concentration of Oleuropein. Wrap you fingers in Band-Aids or cloth tape and pull across the longer branches to get a handful of leaves. Soak then wash the leaves thoroughly with clean pure water to remove dirt and or chemicals present (Olivus is grown organically so no problem with chemicals). Once cleaned the leaves should be spread over an absorbent (cotton) surface and shade dried for a day. After first drying we sift the leaves to remove loose stems and then lightly pack in open bags to thoroughly dry and cure in a dry, cool, dark area, for about a month. Once fully dried leaves can be used whole or for best results ground before brewing, a blender on the slowest speed works nicely.
Safety Evaluation/Contraindications
This product should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation. Use with caution if you are allergic to Olive tree pollen as it may cause a seasonal respiratory allergic reaction. This herb may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation, particularly if taken on an empty stomach.
Known Drug Interactions
Olive leaf may potentiate the effects of blood pressure lowering medications and theoretically may interact with antidiabetic medications due to its potential to affect glucose levels. Further, this herb may interact with drugs that inhibit blood clotting and platelet aggregation, including but not limited to warfarin (Coumadin®), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix®), pentoxifylline (Trental®), and aspirin, due to its potential effects in encouraging healthy blood formation and blood flow. Before using this formula, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the claims contained in the information of this Website.
We always advise people to consult a physician or other health professional about the use of herbs for specific conditions.
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