The herbal tea industry would have you believe that the leaves, roots and berries of a variety of plants will miraculously heal most medical problems. While herbs do contain medicinal components, the FDA does not oversee the production of herbal teas, so consumers must depend upon limited studies and anecdotal evidence for information. Olive leaves, harvested from the same tree that produces olives, may be beneficial for some health conditions, but talk to your doctor before self-treating.
OLIVE LEAF
Olive leaf tea, which consists of the dried and cut leaves from the Olea europaea tree, contains numerous components, including oleic acid, palmitic acid and steroids. The “PDR for Herbal Medicines” reports that extract of olive leaf is hypotensive, meaning it reduces high blood pressure, or hypertension.
DOSAGE
Prepare olive leaf tea by pouring a cup of boiling water over about 2 teaspoons of dried olive leaves. Because the leaves are thick and hard, let the tea steep for at least 30 minutes before straining. The PDR suggests drinking up to three cups of olive leaf tea per day.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Drinking olive leaf tea may help reduce high blood pressure, but talk to your doctor before using it if you’re already taking medications to control your blood pressure. The results of a study, published in “Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology,” noted that 500 milligrams of olive leaf extract taken twice per day reduced blood pressure in test subjects.
ANTIMICROBIAL
Olive leaf tea may also offer some antifungal and antibacterial benefits. Researchers from the Technion-Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, tested the effects of olive leaf extract on fungi and bacteria in the laboratory. After exposure to the herbal extract, the bacteria and fungi were destroyed or inhibited, leading the researchers to conclude that olive leaves have potential antimicrobial properties.
PRECAUTIONS
Do not drink olive leaf tea if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding of if you suffer from gallstones, unless directed to do so by your doctor. The PDR reports that olive leaves present no health hazards or side effects when used according to recommended dosages. There may be unknown side effects due to a lack of clinical studies on the safety of the herbal tea. High blood pressure is a serious disorder so talk to your doctor about using olive leaf tea to supplement your treatment program.