Olive leaf
Olea europaeaSome Turkish villages have olive trees more than 1,000 years old that still bear fruit.
What is Olive leaf?
Olive leaf (Olea europaea) is a plant of the Oleaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: leaves, fruit, oil.
What is Olive leaf used for?
Traditional use: The leaves are boiled and drunk for blood pressure and blood sugar; olive oil is dripped on wounds, burns and aching ears. Scientific evidence: limited. The leaf is rich in a phenol called oleuropein.
Is Olive leaf safe?
Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe. Its effect may add to blood pressure and diabetes medicines.
Traditional use
The leaves are boiled and drunk for blood pressure and blood sugar; olive oil is dripped on wounds, burns and aching ears. The olive branch is a symbol of plenty and peace.
The sacred tree of Athens; Olympic winners were crowned with wild olive.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Wild olive (delice) and grafted olive are the same species. Use leaves from unsprayed trees for tea.
Preparation
Dried leaves are boiled for 10–15 minutes; standardised leaf extract is also used.
What science says
The leaf is rich in a phenol called oleuropein. In a few controlled trials, leaf extract gave small drops in mildly high blood pressure. The EMA recognises olive leaf for mild systolic hypertension as a traditional use.
How strong is the evidence?
Claims often repeated online about Olive leaf, and what science says today.
| Claim | Evidence | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lowers mildly high blood pressure (leaf) | Limited evidence | Recognised by the EMA as traditional; small drop in a few controlled trials. |
| Regulates blood sugar | Limited evidence | Small studies exist; inconclusive. |
| Strengthens immunity | No evidence | No reliable human studies. |
| Olive oil is good for the heart | Clinical evidence | Fewer cardiovascular events in large Mediterranean diet trials (PREDIMED). |
Common mistakes
- Lowering blood pressure too far with olive leaf tea while on blood pressure medicine.
- Assuming olive leaf tea is as strong as olive leaf extract.
Frequently asked
How do I make olive leaf tea?
Boil the dried leaves for 10–15 minutes; it tastes bitter.
Does olive leaf lower blood pressure?
Some studies saw a slight drop. Tell your doctor if you take blood pressure medicine.
Can I take olive leaf extract every day?
Studies used it for a few months; long-term safety is not well known.
Safety
Generally safe. Its effect may add to blood pressure and diabetes medicines.
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographOleae folium: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- ResearchZeytin yaprağı ekstresinin kalp-damar risk etkenlerine etkisi: randomize çalışmaların meta-analizi
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Olea europaea
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe