The use and cultivation of the Olive tree dates back centuries to the ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean cultures. The fruit has a long history of use as a food and the Mediterranean diet, with olive oil as the principle source of fat, has long been acknowledged as contributing to the maintenance of wellbeing of the people in that area.

The leaves of the plant were used by the ancient Egyptian’s for therapeutic purposes and to help to preserve their mummies for the afterlife, and medicinal properties of the olive leaf were even documented in the bible.

More recently, scientific research has begun to confirm the traditional medicinal uses of olive leaf. Phenolic compounds, including oleuropein have been identified in the leaf and are considered to be largely responsible for the therapeutic activity of the herb. Oleuropein has been shown to have antioxidant activity and can therefore assist in protecting the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Extracts of olive leaf help to support the health of the cardiovascular system by assisting in maintaining the health of the veins and arteries and supporting normal, healthy blood pressure in healthy people.

The anti-inflammatory activity of olive leaf extract may even help to provide temporary relief from swollen joints.