Infusions, supplements and extracts of leaves, bark, fruits and olive oil
What is an olive tree and what is it used for?
The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a Mediterranean tree currently used primarily for food, for the consumption of olives and olive oil. However, the entire plant, leaves, bark, fruit, and oil, can be used medicinally to improve health conditions.
Below are all the types of remedies that can be prepared with the olive tree (leaves, bark, fruit, and oil), through homemade or commercial preparations, such as infusions, decoctions, macerations, supplements, etc.
What properties do olive leaves have?
Olive leaves are considered vasodilators, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, and mild diuretics. They contain phenolic compounds such as oleuropein (60-90 mg/g), also known as “oleuropeoside”. This component is converted into hydroxytyrosol, which is the substance that acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Generally, this component is eliminated during the olive oil obtaining process at the olive oil mill. For this reason, the oil doesn’t contain as much of it (the more pungent or sharp an oil is, the higher its oleuropein content).
One of the main uses of this component is that it protects bad LDL cholesterol from oxidation and plays a beneficial role for the heart and vascular system by preventing the accumulation of fat in the arteries. Therefore, olive leaves have enormous potential against arteriosclerosis, although their effect on reducing total cholesterol levels is not as significant.
How to take olive leaf? Preparations
- Infusion: Pour about 60 grams of crushed dried leaves into a liter of boiling water. Let it steep for half an hour. Drink three cups a day.
- Tincture: 25 g of finely shredded dried leaves in 120 g of 40% alcohol. Macerate for 10 days. Take 20 to 30 drops, 3-4 times a day, diluted in a glass of water.
- * Olive extract supplements: 500–1,000 mg daily to achieve 14–30 mg of oleuropein daily.
* Doses of 10 mg of oleuropein have already been shown to be effective as antioxidants. The doses of oleuropein found in extra virgin olive oil already have antioxidant benefits. Some experts consider that both the leaves and the oil can be recommended without the need to resort to supplementation.
What is olive bark used for?
Olive bark is considered febrifuge and astringent.
Remedies with olive bark
It is collected in spring and is usually prepared in the following ways:
- Tincture (for fever): Maceration 30 g of very crumbled bark in 120 g of 40°C alcohol. Macerate for 10 days. Take 20 to 30 drops, 3-4 times a day, diluted in a glass of water.
- Decoction (for hemorrhoids): 30 g of finely shredded bark per liter. Wash the affected area.
Properties of olives
Canned olives are a natural remedy to whet the appetite.
Its bitter principles tone the digestive system and stimulate the liver to perform its digestion and cleansing functions.
It is especially interesting for those people who have digestive problems due to a lack of gastric juices. Many liver diets include olives in their diets. (Eat olives before meals or throughout the day) (Add olives to salads)
Anti-inflammatory remedies with olive oil
Olive oil has nutritional, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lubricating, and skin-protective properties. To benefit from its properties, it is advisable to get an extra virgin olive oil. This is golden-green color and is the one that has the best quantity and quality of active ingredients.
- Digestive ulcers, intestinal problems, obesity, diabetes: Use extra virgin olive oil in your diet, preferably raw. Avoid using other types of oils.
- Olive oil remedy for gallbladder.
- Herbal oil: Macerating extra virgin olive oil with aromatic herbs enhances its beneficial effects. For example, it has been observed that if hot peppers are added to olive oil, the capsaicin reacts with the oil to form olvanil, which is not spicy and is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
In addition to the components of the oil, macerating it with plants can create new ingredients. For example, olvanil is a powerful anti-inflammatory obtained from macerating virgin olive oil with spicy chili. It’s important that these ingredients are organic!
More information on olive tree
