Naturally Lower Blood Pressure With Olive Leaf Extract

Article by Arnie Gitomer

Olive leaf contains natural antioxidant polyphenols with health benefits. In this study, 60 pre-hypertensive men, with systolic blood pressure of 121 to 140, and diastolic pressure of 81 to 90, took 142 mg of olive leaf extract polyphenols per day or a placebo, in alternating six-week phases.

While the placebo group did not improve, the olive leaf group saw daytime and 24-hour systolic blood pressures decline by 3.95 and 3.33 mmHg, respectively, and the same readings for diastolic pressures decline by 3.0 and 2.42 mmHg. Total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides also declined for olive leaf, and a sign of inflammation, interleukin-8, was also slightly lower.    

The improvements in total and LDL cholesterols could reduce chances for heart and circulatory events by 4.2 to 9.75 percent, and the blood pressure improvements could lower chances of heart disease 9 to 14 percent. Stroke and heart events could also be 20 to 22.5 percent less likely, doctors said.

Reference: European Journal of Nutrition; 2017, Vol. 56, No. 4, 1421-32

It should be pointed out that olive oil and olive leaf are two different substances. While olive oil is used as a food (although it also has medicinal value), olive leaf is primarily used medicinally, or as a tea.

According to Natural Medicines TRC online database, here is a comprehensive listing of the possible uses of the two substances:

Olive Oil:
Orally, olive oil is used for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. Olive oil is also used orally for breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), migraine headache, firming the breasts, treating bile duct and gallbladder inflammation, gallstones, jaundice, flatulence, and meteorism (swelling of the abdomen due to intestinal or peritoneal gas). It is also used orally for preventing colorectal cancer, as a mild laxative for constipation, and for Roemheld's syndrome. Some people also use olive oil to boost bacteria in the gut and as a "cleanser" or "purifier."

Olive Leaf:
Orally, olive leaf is used for treatment of viral, bacterial, and protozoal conditions including influenza, swine flu, the common cold, meningitis, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), encephalitis, herpes, shingles, HIV/ARC/AIDS, chronic fatigue, and hepatitis B. Olive leaf is also used for pneumonia; tuberculosis (TB); gonorrhea; malaria; dengue; bacteremia; severe diarrhea; blood poisoning; and infections including dental, ear, urinary tract, and surgical infections. Other uses include hypertension, diabetes, allergic rhinitis, improving renal and digestive function, and as a diuretic and antipyretic.

Olive Leaf Extract is available in the Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ supplement line. It is the appropriate product for use when the "leaf" is desired. A copy of the product monograph is provided below for your convenience:

Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Olive Leaf 1:2 (1 fl oz)
Product Code: 56958
Increasingly recognized for its value as an immune system stimulant, antimicrobial agent, hypoglycemic agent and antihypertensive agent.

Who might benefit from this herbal supplement?

• Those in need of enhanced immune support;
• Those with hypertension (high blood pressure);
• Those with blood sugar swings;
• Those with bacterial or viral infections.

Olive leaf extract contains flavonoids that possess strong antioxidant activity. There is some evidence that this explains its protective action in diabetes.
Caution: Do not use if suffering from gallstones.

Phyto-Tech™  Olive Leaf 1:2 contains Olive Leaf (Olea europaea), 250 mg/ml, Pure Grain Alcohol, Deionized Water. Certified Organic.

Dosage: 20-40 drops, 2-3 times per day or as needed in juice or water.