Plant Family: Oleaceae

Common Names: Olea oleaster, Olea lancifolia, Olea gallica, Olivier

Origin: Native to Asia Minor and Syria, but cultivated in Mediterranean countries and also Chile, Peru and South Australia

History: Olive Leaf was first used medicinally in Egypt and also used for mummification of kings

Tradition:  

Olive Tree

• represented peace and happiness
• wood was carved into statues of Gods

Olive Leaf

• in ancient Egyptian culture was a symbol of heavenly power
• wreaths crowned the victors in ancient Olympic Games

Olive Oil 

• was burnt in sacred lamps at temples
• was the symbol of goodness and purity

Plant Constituents

Contains:

Bark

• Gum-resin
• benzoic acid
• olivile

Leaves

• mannite
• oleuropein
• oleuropeoside

Oil

• arachidic esters
• free Oleic Acid
• Oleum olivae

Unripe Fruit

• mannite

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Oil of the fruit, leaves, bark

Olive Leaf is used for:

Blood Conditions

• stabilizes blood sugar levels

Bacterial, Fungal, Viral or Parasitic Conditions

Eradicates parasites including:

• giardia
• intestinal worms
• malaria forming protozoa
• microscopic protozoa
• pinworms
• rectal worms (Oil)
• ringworm
• roundworm
• tapeworms

Helps inhibit and prevent infection by viruses and retroviruses:

• chicken pox
• cold sores
• genital herpes
• genital warts
• herpes Type 1
• HIV virus
• improves symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and related conditions
• lupus
• meningitis (viral)
• mononucleosis
• shingles
• warts

Helps inhibit and prevent infection by bacteria:

• anthrax
• chlamydia
• gastric ulcers caused by H. pylori
• gonorrhea
• meningitis (bacterial)
• salmonella
• staphylococcal food poisoning
• syphilis
• toxic shock syndrome
• trichonomas
• urinary tract infections
• vaginitis

Helps inhibit and prevent infection by fungi, yeasts and moulds:

• chronic toenail fungus infection
• eradicates candidiasis (Candida) and other yeast conditions
• vaginitis

Olive is also used for:

Brain and Nervous Conditions

• nervous tension

Cardiovascular Conditions

• boosts energy levels
• barium chloride and calcium induced arrhythmia
• enhances the elasticity of arteries
• healthy dilatory action in coronary arteries
• improves blood flow
• reduces high blood pressure
• vasodilator effect on the smooth layer of coronary arteries

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• constipation in children
• habitual constipation (Oil)
• increases peristalsis (Oil)
• lead colic (Oil)

Genitourinary Conditions

• bladder infections

Immune System Conditions

• autoimmune disorders

Inflammatory Conditions

• rheumatic fever
• meningitis
• relieves inflammation caused by arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Liver Conditions

• dispels biliary concretions (Oil)
• dissolves cholesterin (the main ingredient of gallstones) (Oil)
• dissolves cholesterol
• Hepatitis A, B, C
• increases bile secretions

Respiratory Conditions

• abdominal chill
• chest complaints
• helps prevent influenza
• pneumonia
• sinus infections
• streptococcus infection in throat

Other

• antidote to irritant poisons (Oil)
• disperser of acids (Oil)
• ear infections
• fevers
• fibromyalgia
• fights free radical production
• food poisoning
• soothes mucous membranes
• rabies

Externally it relieves:

• toothache
• hemorrhoids
• athlete's foot
• fungus in nails

Oil

• bruises
• burns
• crusts and scales on the body
• cutaneous affections
• dry cuticles and nails
• dry skin
• engorged breasts
• hair care
• insect bites
• muscular and joint complaints
• protects the skin surface from air 
• skin inflammations
• sprains
• stings
• wounds

Other Uses:

Fruit

• popular continental food item

Oil

• lubricating machinery
• makes raw vegetables more digestible

and is used in the making of 

• castile soap
• cerates (ointments with the addition of wax) 
• liniments
• plasters
• soft ointments

Action: 

Bark

• febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]

Leaves

• antibacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
• antifungal [an agent that destroys fungi]
• antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
• antiviral [an agent that destroys viruses]
• astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
• febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
• tranquilizer

Oil

• aperient [a mild stimulant producing a natural movement of the bowels; a gentle purgative]
• cholagogue [an agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines]
• demulcent [a substance that soothes inflamed mucous membranes and protects them from irritation]
• emollient [an agent used externally to soften and soothe]
• laxative [an agent promoting evacuation of the bowels; a mild purgative]
• nutritious [gives nourishment]

Precautions

Caution: Occasionally people get symptoms from the 'die-off effect' due to toxins being released into the system in the healing process. These include:

• fatigue
• headache
• pain

Reduce dosage should these occur