The Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract

The olive tree (Olea europaea) has a very long and interesting history. One of the most revered botanicals, the olive tree is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, starting with the delivery of the olive branch to Noah by a dove, a sign that the floodwaters were receding and life was returning.

According to Greek mythology, the olive tree was created by the goddess Athena. She endowed it with powers to illuminate the darkness, cure illness, heal wounds and provide nourishment.

Olive leaf extract, derived from the olive tree, is often hailed as the hottest new infection fighter. But actually olive leaf isn’t new at all. Doctors used it as long ago as 1927 to knock out malaria, says Dr. Atkins in his book Dr Atkins Vita-nutrient Solution.

“Calcium elenolate, the leaf’s most active ingredient, is an extraordinary effective killer of viruses and bacteria. It also keeps latent viruses from emerging,” says Dr. Atkins.

“The leaf offers at least some relief, if not complete recovery, from the entire rogues’ gallery of microbial ailments — pneumonia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, influenza, viral encephalitis, viral meningitis, hepatitis B, shingles, herpes and Epstein-Barr. It’s also a worthwhile treatment for urinary infections, surgical infections and any sort of bacterial infection. But olive oil also destroys yeast infections at the same time.”

No known studies have been conducted with regards to pregnancy or nursing mothers. Also no known studies of interactions between olive leaf extract and other pharmaceuticals have been performed.

Some people experience what is known as Herxheimers reaction. This is a detoxification reaction and not a counteraction to the product. If any of these symptoms should occur — greater fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, muscle/joint aches or flu-like symptoms, drink plenty of water and temporarily cut back on the amount taken.