Therapeutic Uses
Heart disease and high blood pressure – The powerful antioxidant properties of the olive leaf help protect the heart and circulatory system from free-radical damage. Oleuropein inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol, which has been connected to various heart problems. Olive leaf extract can significantly decrease blood pressure. It can decrease blood sugar levels as well.
HIV infection – In cell line studies, olive leaf has been shown to have anti-HIV properties. Its components affect signaling proteins that slow the growth of HIV.
Yeast Infection – Candida are single-celled fungi that live in the bloodstream, releasing powerful poisons and toxins as they multiply. If the immune system becomes suppressed, a yeast overgrowth may result in a deep-seated infection. Symptoms of this can include fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, constipation, diarrhea, gas itching, vaginal discharge, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), insomnia, eczema, psoriasis, allergies, sinus problems, recurrent colds and flu, indigestion, respiratory problems, asthma and weight problems. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that such symptoms were reduced by more than 50% in all of the subjects who took the olive leaf extract, with no apparent side effects.
Medicinal Uses: * Beauty * Cancer Prevention * Cardiovascular * Culinary/Kitchen * Pain Relief * Skin Care
Olive Side Effects: Use of olive leaf can trigger colic among gallstone sufferers, so it should not be used by those who have gallstones. Do not put the herb near the eyes, as it may irritate the surface of the eye. Patients with biliary stones also should avoid this herb. There also have been some reports of runny nose and asthma after taking olive leaf.
Olive Leaf Drug Interactions: Olive leaf might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking olive leaf along with diabetes medications (glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others) might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Olive leaf seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking olive leaf along with medications for high blood pressure (antihypertensive drugs) might cause your blood pressure to go too low. These medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
