For hundreds of years man has found the olive plant to be a great ally when confronting various diseases and health problems. When we think of the olive tree, the first thing that comes to mind is it’s fantastic by-product, extra vergin olive oil. But already centuries ago our ancestors had understood that the olive plant held hidden secrets; unique active ingredients that somehow improve the general health of those who consume it. These substances weren’t hidden in the fruit of the olive tree, the olive, but actually in the leaves. So what are these substances? And how has infusion been created that retains all the beneficial effects of the plant? 

Olive leaf infusion: Oleuropein 

The olive leaves contain unique polyphenols, molecules with several different characteristics. The most important of these is Oleuropein. Using a procedure called hydrolysis 4 elements which are fundamental to the health of our bodies are split from this molecule: 

• Elenolic acid
• Rutin
• Tyrosol
• Hydroxytyrosol 

Oleuropein and the polyphenols listed above are 97% biosoluble and almost 100% biocompatible. Even though the benefits of the olive leaf infusion have been recognised for centuries, its only in the modern age that is has become possible to extract these polyphenols in a way that retains the beneficial effects and active ingredients. 

Olive leaf infusion: properties and benefits 

What are the properties and beneficial effects of the olive leave infusion? An intrensic characteristic of the molecules contained in the leaves and their antioxidant function (Chemical oxidants are responsibile for more than 100 human diseases). Furthermore it is well known and has been ascertained that olive leaf infusion can lower levels of glycemia (diabetes), bad cholesterol and blood pressure. 

Another benefit of the olive leaf infusion lies in its ability to wipe out free radicals, molecular entities which, if not kept under control, can create various problems in the body. Also noteworthy are its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.The olive leaf infusion proved efficient in hindering diseases such as gastric reflux, oesophagitis and metabolic syndrome. 

Oleuropein helps to combat ospeoperosis as it has the capacity to stimulate the production of bone cells (osteoblasts), preventing the loss of bone density. The action of the polyphenols conatined within the olive leaf contributes to prohibiting the growth of yeast, fungus and harmful bacteria present in the body, allowing, in some cases, to free the body of muscle-joint pain caused by these parasites. 

Various research conducted on the Oleuropein molecule has shown that the active ingredients present in the olive leaf infusion can inhibit the growth of tumoral cells, in cases of breast cancer in women, and in melanonma cells in experiements conducted on mice. In both cases the fitochemicals present inhibited the growth of the tumoral cells and in some cases they even destroyed them. 

After a few days taking the olive leaf infusion you could notice some muscular and joint pain. This is because the infusion eliminates a large number of germs which circulate undisturbed in the body. When these germs die they release toxins that get absorbed in membrane tissues which causes these symptoms mentioned above. These symptoms indicate that the product is working correctly and that the body is cleansing. This process was discovered more than a hundred years ago by german dermatologists Adolf Jarisch and Karl Herxheimer. It then became known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction. The symptoms disappear quickly. 

As this product is 100% natural product, the infusion is completely non toxic. It has no contraindications or side effects. It is also a certified vegan product. 

So we have talked about the beneficial effects and the properties of the olive leaf infusion. But which studies have been carried out on this? Have tests been conducted which demonstrate the efficiency of the fitochemicals contained within the olive leaf? 

Olive leaf infusion: studies, research and tests 

It is interesting to note that more than 18000 studies have been carried out by medical professionals, scientists, professors and researchers in various parts on the world on the benefits of the olive leaf infusion. 

Of these we can quote Dr. Fabio Firenzuoli, expert surgeon in the field of phytoptherapy and phytovigilance. The Director of the Centre of Integrative Medicine AOU Careggi – University of Florence, in an interview with the RAI 1 programme ‘Uno Mattino’, explains that research carried out on olive leaves showed that they are helpful in lowering blood pressure, improving the efficiency of our insulin, combatting obesity, metabolic syndrome and triglycerides. 

Alternatively; Dr. Ciro Vestita, expert nutritionist and phytotherapist of the University of Pisa, in an interview with the national Italian television channel Italia7, enthused over the many positive effects of the olive leaf extract, including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, warding off fevers and headaches, relieving constipation, liver diseases and inflammations of the colon, and in serving as an antitumoral. 

Numerous research shows the beneficial activity of the polifenols contained in the olive plant for coronary artery and neoplastic diseases. Studies conducted in Italy by Professor Galli (University of Milan) and by Professor Montedoro (University of Perugia) have shown, both in vitro and in vivo, various beneficial effects of the natural substances present in the olive. Specific sector studies conducted by the University of Trieste, Department of chemistry confirm the beneficial properties of the phytochemicals contained in the olive leaf. Science magazine Phytotherapy Research shows that an extract from the leaves of the olive tree can significantly reduce cholesterol LDL and blood pressure. 

Olive leaf infusion: tests on metabolic syndrome 

The American Journal of Nutrition published an article on one of the studies focusing on it’s effetcs on the metabolism. Mice were the objects of this study. For 8 weeks they were fed a high fat diet. At the end of this period all the mice had developed metabolic syndrome (a clinical state which includes diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterol etc.) 

The animals were then subdivided into two groups: the control group under the study and a second group who were adminstered the olive leaf infusion for another 8 weeks. At the end of this period the mice who had taken the olive leaf infusion showed a significant decrease in the typical symptoms of the metobolic syndrome, aswell as a significant improvement in cardiovascular levels and in the liver and weight loss compared to the other group of mice (the control group). 

Lindsay Brown of the University of Southern Queensland (Australia) confirms that the olive leaf extract induces weight loss also thanks to its antiflammatory virtues (the relationship between antiinflammatories and weight loss is the object of numerous studies around the world.) 

Olive leaf infusion: the challenge of extraction 

We have talked a lot about the olive leaf infusion, how it has been recognised for centuries, about its properties, of its health benefits and of various studies and tests conducted by scientists and reasearchers all over the world. So now you might be asking ‘Ok, I am convinced that the olive leaf infusion is good for the health, but where can I find it? Do I have to prepare it at home? Or is it sold ready to take?’ These area all legitimate questions. The truth is that you could prepare it at home but it would be a bit of a challenge: how do you extract all the precious active ingredients contained in the olive leaf without losing their beneficial properties? 

With the DIY method you would probably risk ending up with an extract that didn’t do anything beneficial at all. In fact understanding how to extract the intrensic molecules within the olive leaf without compromosing their functionality has been a challenge that has put scientists to the test for years. It is only in recent times that an italian company managed to do achieve this.