The olive tree – our ally in the fight against high blood pressure…

Just about every part of the olive tree has something to offer us! The wood, the fruit – which provides a delicious oil, the beneficial effects of which on health are well known – and of course the leaves, which contain valuable substances such as flavonoid pigments in abundance and various iridoids, including oleuropeoside …

This is a sugar derivative and, traditionally, is believed to have a positive effect on blood pressure. But the other substances extracted from olive leaves, and which can be found in olive leaf essence, also offer numerous beneficial properties, all of which make it suitable for people suffering from high blood pressure or heart problems. These substances act as diuretics – making them useful against high blood pressure – and they are also believed to have a dilatory effect on the arteries of the heart and act as antispasmodics and antiarrhythmics.

High blood pressure, angina and diabetes are therefore all classic cases where olive leaf can be beneficial. Of course it cannot be recommended as a stand-alone therapy for such serious and chronic conditions which need long-term treatment. However, olive leaf is a useful adjuvant that can help boost the results of medical treatment and diet. But, like these, it must be used over the long term.