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FEATUREOLIVELEAVES
The Mighty Power of
Olive Leaves
T
he olive leaf is an ancient and potent hangover. But did you know that the OLE can also be found in some natural
image; think of the symbolic olive olive leaf is a potent antioxidant, with cosmetics and toiletries, bringing all its
branch carried by the dove, or the 400% more antioxidant capacity than benefits to beauty products. Australian
first athletic champions in Olympia who vitamin C? Not only that, the extract of consumers spend millions of dollars each
were crowned with a wreath of olive the olive leaf is 500% more powerful than year on OLE to treat conditions such as
leaves. Many people use olive oil widely goji juice and 2,700% more powerful than inflammation, joint and muscle pain,
in cooking and salads, whilst the olive noni juice! asthma, coughs, colds and sore throats or
fruit accompanies many an aperitif. So Olive-leaf extract (OLE) contains a just to improve general well being. Now
why all the buzz about the leaves of this whole host of elements essential to good word of the might of Olive Leaf Extract is
historic plant? health, including selenium, chromium, spreading and the good news is that OLE
The olive plant (olea europaea) is iron, zinc, vitamin C, beta-carotene and is available here in the UK too. Definitely
found in traditional medicinal use all amino acids. Overwhelmingly, however, worth a try!
over Europe and North Africa. The olive researchers have discovered that it is
leaf has been used to treat infections, the pharmalogical power of the
headaches, fever, digestive and skin phenolic compounds that make OLE
disorders - in fact, it was considered a such an amazing scavenger of
bit of a cure-all! Ancient Greek coins damaging free-radicals.
show the face of the Goddess Athena Almost 100 years ago researchers
wearing a crown of olive leaves and discovered a bitter phytochemical
carrying a jug of olive oil, such was the compound in olive leaves which
medicinal, culinary and financial might contributed to the olive tree’s strong
of the olive crop. Modern-day research resistance to disease. These active
shows the importance placed on the compounds contain antiviral, antibacterial
olive was not wrong. and antifungal properties which are
The health benefits of olive oil are well effective in the treatment of many
documented; it can improve digestion and conditions for which antibiotics and other
benefit heart metabolism through its low medications are ineffective. Thirty years
content of cholesterol. It is also claimed ago Italian researchers showed that this
that olive oil gives shiny hair, prevents compound could be used to lower blood
dandruff, wrinkles, dry skin and acne, pressure and OLE has since been used
strengthens nails, stops muscle ache, widely by natural practitioners to treat
lowers blood pressure and helps a cardiovascular problems.
22 GOHEALTHYSEP/OCT2008
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