Herb
Olive Leaf
The silvery leaf of the olive tree, taken as tea or extract, traditionally used to support immunity and healthy blood pressure.
🌱 What it is
Olive leaves come from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil. They contain oleuropein, a bitter compound long studied for its traditional use in Mediterranean folk medicine.
✨ How it may help
- Traditionally used to support the immune system
- May help support blood pressure already in the normal range
- May help support healthy blood sugar levels
- Rich in antioxidant plant compounds
🥄 How to use it
Steep 1 teaspoon of dried olive leaf in hot water for 10 minutes for a tea, or take an olive leaf extract per the label. It works gradually, so give it a few weeks.
⚖️ Caution
Olive leaf may lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so use caution alongside medications for either. It can cause mild digestive upset in some people. Avoid large medicinal doses in pregnancy, and check with a doctor if you take regular medication.
🍃 A note from nature
Olive trees are famously long-lived, with some in the Mediterranean estimated at over a thousand years old, their silver-green leaves shimmering in the wind.