Olive Leaf
Description:
Olive Leaf Extract is obtained from specific parts of the olive tree (Olea europaea).
While Olive Leaf Extract in capsule form is new, the knowledge of the medicinal properties of the tree (Olea europaea) date back to the early 1800's where it was used in liquid form as a very effective treatment for malarial infections.
In the early 1900's, a bitter compound was found in the leaves of certain olive trees called "Oleuropein." This compound was determined to be part of the olive tree's powerful disease resistant structure.
In 1962, an Italian researcher recorded oleuropein had the ability to lower blood pressure in animals. Other European researchers validated the claim and found it to increase blood flow in the coronary arteries, relieve arrhythmias and prevent intestinal muscle spasms.
Method of Action:
The search began for the chemical agent within oleuropein that would be the most important medically. A Dutch researcher found it. The chemical was elenolic acid. Further European research determined this compound to have strong bacteriocidal capabilities.
In the late 1960's and early 70's The Upjohn Companies’ test studies were published for a new multifunctional monoterpene which they had isolated from various parts of the olive tree. The compound was called calcium elenolate, a crystalline salt form of elenolic acid. It was found to be virucidal against all viruses for which it was tested.
It is considered to be: anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacteria and anti-oxidant.
Safety & Toxicity:
A safety study on calcium elenolate was laboratory tested with animals and published by The Upjohn Company in 1970 (e). The study concluded that even in doses several hundred times higher than recommended, no toxic or other adverse side effects appeared.
No known studies have been conducted with regards to pregnancy or nursing mothers. Also no known studies of interactions between Original Olive Leaf Extract and other pharmaceuticals have been performed.
This phytochemical extract is not only safe, but is also a nontoxic immune system builder.
The German Commission E status for leaf and oil is "null" or neutral i.e. while it is not approved, there is no documented risk. There may also be some concern over the claims made by manufacturers i.e. they are unproven.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Usage:
While it has many aspects in common with pine bark extracts, for example, Olive Leaf has gained attention primarily for its anti-viral properties, with respect to: AIDS, Herpes and influenza, for example.
One capsule 4 times a day. Best times are one-half hour or more before breakfast, 11am, 3 pm and one hour after the evening meal. Eden should be taken on an empty stomach by itself with distilled or reverse osmosis water and without any other dietary supplements.
Abstracts:
Anti-complementary activity
From extracts of olive (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae) leaves showing anti-complementary activity, the flavonoids apigenin, apigenin-4'-O-rhamnosylglucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, luteolin-4'-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, chrysoeriol, chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside were isolated. Major isolated constituents strongly inhibited the classical pathway of the complement system.
Pieroni A et al., In vitro anti-complementary activity of flavonoids from olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves. Pharmazie, 1996 Oct, 51:10, 765-8.
Antimicrobial Activity
Components of olive oil and olives may have antimicrobial potential, according to this study. Five bacterial strains and 44 fresh clinical isolates - all known for causing intestinal or respiratory infections -- were exposed in vitro to oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol (present in olives and olive oil). Both compounds significantly inhibited the growth of most bacterial strains and isolates. However, oleuropein was ineffective against Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis.
Bisignano G, et al: On the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, J Pharm Pharmacol 1999 Aug;51(8):971-4
Diabetes
Use of herbal remedies from medicinal plants (bush medicines) was studied in 622 people with diabetes mellitus attending 17 government health centers on the island of Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. Bush medicines were used by 42% of patients surveyed and were used for diabetes by 24%.
Patients taking bush medicines mentioned 103 different plants used in remedies. Among the 12 most frequently mentioned, caraili, aloes, olive-bush, and seed-under-leaf were preferentially used for diabetes.
Mahabir D & Gulliford MC: Use of medicinal plants for diabetes in Trinidad and Tobago. Rev Panam Salud Publica, 1997 Mar, 1:3, 174-9.
Medical References on the Olive Leaf (Olea Europaea)
Cruess WV, and Alsberg CL, The bitter glucoside of the olive. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1934; 56:2115-7.
Elliott GA et al, Preliminary studies with calcium elenolate, an antiviral agent. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1970:173-76.
Gariboldi P et al, Secoiridoids from olea europaea. Phytochem., 1986; 25(4) 865-69.
Heinze JE et al, Specificity of the antiviral agent calcium elenolate. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 1975: 8(4), 421-25.
Hirschman SZ, Inactivation of DNA polymerases of Murine Leukaemia viruses by calcium elenolate. Nature New Biology, 1972; 238:277-79.
Juven B et al, Studies on the mechanism of the antimicrobial action of oleuropein. J. Appi. Bad., 1972; 35:559-67.
Kubo I et al, A multichemical defense mechanism of bitter olive olea europaea (Oleaceae) - Is oleuropein a phytoalexin precursor? J. Chem. Ecol 1985; 11(2): 251-63.
Mahabir D & Gulliford MC: Use of medicinal plants for diabetes in Trinidad and Tobago. Rev Panam Salud Publica, 1997 Mar, 1:3, 174-9.
Panizzi L et al, The constitution of oleuropein, a bitter glucoside of the olive with hypotensive action. Gazz. Chim. Ital; 1960; 90:1449-85.
Petkov V and Manolov P, Pharmacological analysis of the iridoid oleuropein. Drug Res., 1972; 22(9): 1476-86.
Pieroni A et al., In vitro anti-complementary activity of flavonoids from olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves. Pharmazie, 1996 Oct, 51:10, 765-8.
Renis HE, In vitro antiviral activity of calcium elenolate. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 1970; 167-72.
Samuelsson G, The blood pressure lowering factor in leaves of Olea Europaea. Farmacevtisk Revy, 1951; 15: 229-39.
Soret MG, Antiviral activity of calcium elenolate on parainfluenza infection of hamsters. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 1970:160-66.
Veer WLC et al, A compound isolated from olea europaea. Recueil, 1957; 76: 839-40.
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