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Olive Leaf

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Introduction

Olive leaf refers to the leaves that grow on olive trees. Olive leaf has been used to lower blood pressure and help control blood glucose. It can be taken as a pill, powder, or extract. It can also be made into a tea.

Dosages

500 milligrams 1 to 2 times daily

What Research Shows

May Be Effective

Diabetes—may help control blood glucose A1
High blood pressure—may lower total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol B1-B3
Osteopenia —may prevent further loss of bone density C1

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take olive leaf in small doses for a short time, but allergic reaction may be possible in some people.D1, D2 Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It is not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

References►

A. Diabetes

A1. Wainstein J, Ganz T, et al. Olive leaf extract as a hypoglycemic agent in both human diabetic subjects and in rats. J Med Food. 2012;15(7):605-610.

B. High Blood Pressure

B1. Susalit E, Agnus N, et al. Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract effective in patients with stage-1 hypertension: comparison with Captopril. Phytomedicine. 2011;18(4):251-258.

B2. Wong RH, Garg ML, Wood LG, Howe PR. Antihypertensive potential of combined extracts of olive leaf, green coffee bean and beetroot: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Nutrients. 2014 Nov 5;6(11):4881-4894.

B3. Lockyer S, Rowland I, et al. Impact of phenolic-rich olive leaf extract on blood pressure, plasma lipids and inflammatory markers: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2017;56(4):1421-1432.

C. Osteopenia

C1. Filip R, Possemiers S, Heyerick A, Pinheiro I, Raszewski G, Davicco MJ, Coxam V. Twelve-month consumption of a polyphenol extract from olive (Olea europaea) in a double blind, randomized trial increases serum total osteocalcin levels and improves serum lipid profiles in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 Jan;19(1):77-86.

D. Safety

D1. Liccardi G, D'Amato M, et al. Oleaceae pollinosis: a review. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1996 Nov;111(3):210-217.

D2. Quiralte J, Palacios L, et al. Modelling diseases: the allergens of Olea europaea pollen. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2007;17 Suppl 1:24-30.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 6/29/2020

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