Olive Leaf to Treat Hypertension?



The
drinking of olive leaf tea has been a way for many centuries by Middle
Eastern cultures to treat disorders such as coughs, sore throat,
cystitis, fever and gout.

The effect that olive leaf extract has
on the body has been researched and looked at for some time, and has
become a much talked about ingredient used in the treatment of fevers
and infections.

Although olive leaf extract is classed as an
alternative herbal remedy, it can be helpful in the treatment of the
common cold, flu, cold sores (herpes), ear infections, eye infections,
nose and throat infections, impetigo, pink eye, parasites, and a host of
bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Many major health claims
are being made about olive leaf extract, but since they involve
unverified clinical trials we prefer not to list the claimed pathogens
that it is said to destroy.

The main constituent of olive leaf is
the phytochemical oleuropein, which has broken down to elenolic acid,
which have a powerful anti-bacterial effect, and has the ability to
interfere with critical amino acid production essential for viruses.

Oleuropein
is a bitter monoterpene glycoside of the class known as secoiridoids
and is also one of the major components found in the polyphenolic
portion of olive oil

Other ingredients include esters, multiple iridoids, rutin, apigenin, luteolin etc.


Animal
studies have proven the effectiveness of olive leaf extract to lower
blood pressure, but this needs to be verified by human studies.

It
further seems helpful in containing viral infections and the spreading
of these viruses by inactivating them, and the ability to directly
penetrate infected cells and stop viral replication.

In the case
of retroviruses, it seems to be able to neutralize the production of
reverse transcriptase and protease and also seems to be helpful in
stimulating phagocytosis, which is an immune system response in which
cells ingest harmful microorganisms and foreign matter.

Some
research suggests that olive leaf extract may be a "true anti-viral"
compound, as it appears to selectively block an entire virus-specific
system.

Because of the above, it may be useful when looking to
fight influenza, the common cold, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and other
viral infections.

Olive leaf extract also seems to be indicated
as useful in boosting the energy levels, assisting with chronic fatigue
as well as helping with allergies.

Olive leaf extract has been
reported by leading clinicians to offer significant benefit when
included as part of an immune system enhancement program designed to
combat microorganisms - such as our BodyGuard immune boost supplement.

Contra-indications
Olive
Leaf Extract is non-toxic, but when killing too many pathogens too
quickly (detoxifying), a "die off" or Herxheimer's reaction may occur -
which is experienced as flu-like symptoms or allergic attacks. This
however only happens with high dosage and normally passes quickly.

Olive leaf extract may inactivate antibiotics and should not be taken while taking antibiotics

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