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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Olive

Olea europaea

Family OleaceaeParts used Fruit, Leaf, SeedAlso known as common olive, European olive

This monograph compiles 5 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[7, 11, 12, 13]
Antimicrobial[3, 6, 11, 12, 13]
Antioxidant[1, 8, 11, 12, 13]
Antiviral[11, 12, 13]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Blood sugar / diabetes support[7, 11, 12, 13]Moderate · 6/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
Cardiovascular / heart health[11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10
more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →
Cold & flu[11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antiviral action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →
Infection (general)[11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[4, 11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Metabolic support[11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Wounds[11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Caution

Olive leaf extract may lower blood pressure; use caution if already on antihypertensive medication. May have mild hypoglycaemic effects. Olive oil is safe for dietary use. Rare olive pollen allergy. Well tolerated in normal culinary and supplement doses.

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Info

Duke (2002) includes olive leaf as ++ and notes hypotensive, hypoglycemic, ACE inhibitor-like, and antioxidant activities at the experimental level (score 1). Olive leaf extract (containing oleuropein) has demonstrated blood pressure-lowering and antiarrhythmic effects consistent with clinical support (PHR). Duke notes that traditional Mediterranean use for both the leaf and fruit is food-grade and safe. Olive leaf preparations are used as mild antihypertensives in European phytotherapy. No significant adverse effects are reported at standard herbal doses (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-1437, REF-1438, REF-1439, REF-1440, REF-1441, REF-1442, REF-1443, REF-1444, REF-1445, REF-1446

References & Sources

  1. Omar, S.H., Kerr, P.G., Scott, C.J., Hamlin, A.S. and others (2017) 'Olive (Olea europaea L.) Biophenols: A Nutriceutical against Oxidative Stress in SH-SY5Y Cells', Molecules, 22(11), pp. 1858. doi:10.3390/molecules22111858 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22111858
  2. Ruzzolini, J., Peppicelli, S., Andreucci, E., Bianchini, F. and others (2018) 'Oleuropein, the Main Polyphenol of Olea europaea Leaf Extract, Has an Anti-Cancer Effect on Human BRAF Melanoma Cells and Potentiates the Cytotoxicity of Current Chemotherapies', Nutrients, 10(12), pp. 1950. doi:10.3390/nu10121950 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10121950
  3. Al-Rimawi, F., Sbeih, M., Amayreh, M., Rahhal, B. and others (2024) 'Evaluation of the antibacterial and antifungal properties of oleuropein, Olea europaea leaf extract, and Thymus vulgaris oil', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), pp. 297. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04596-x Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04596-x
  4. Qabaha, K., Al-Rimawi, F., Qasem, A. and Naser, S.A (2018) 'Oleuropein Is Responsible for the Major Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Olive Leaf Extract', Journal of Medicinal Food, 21(3), pp. 302-305. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.0070 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2017.0070
  5. Pang, K.L., Lumintang, J.N. and Chin, K.Y (2021) 'Thyroid-Modulating Activities of Olive and Its Polyphenols: A Systematic Review', Nutrients, 13(2), pp. 529. doi:10.3390/nu13020529 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020529
  6. Kheirandish, F., Mosaffa, N., Tarahi, M.J. and Fallahi, S (2018) 'Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract alters the cytokine profile of Leishmania major-infected macrophages: New insight into the underlying mechanism', Parasite Immunology, 40(4), pp. e12520. doi:10.1111/pim.12520 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1111/pim.12520
  7. de Bock, M., Derraik, J.G., Brennan, C.M., Biggs, J.B. and others (2013) 'Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf polyphenols improve insulin sensitivity in middle-aged overweight men: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial', PLoS One, 8(3), pp. e57622. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057622 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057622
  8. Pasban-Aliabadi, H., Esmaeili-Mahani, S., Sheibani, V., Abbasnejad, M. and others (2013) 'Inhibition of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced PC12 cell apoptosis by olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract is performed by its main component oleuropein', Rejuvenation Research, 16(2), pp. 134-142. doi:10.1089/rej.2012.1384 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1089/rej.2012.1384
  9. Imperatrice, M., Lasfar, A., van Kalkeren, C.A.J. and Troost, F (2024) 'Olive Leaf Extract Supplementation Improves Postmenopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study on Postmenopausal Women', Nutrients, 16(22), pp. 3879. doi:10.3390/nu16223879 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223879
  10. de Bock, M., Thorstensen, E.B., Derraik, J.G., Henderson, H.V. and others (2013) 'Human absorption and metabolism of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol ingested as olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract', Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 57(11), pp. 2079-2085. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201200795 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201200795
  11. Boskov Hansen, H.C. et al (2012) 'Oleocanthal, a phenolic derived from virgin olive oil: a review of the beneficial effects on inflammatory disease', 13(9), pp. 11628--11670. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  12. Wainstein, J. et al (2012) 'Olive leaf extract as a hypoglycemic agent in both human diabetic subjects and in rats', 15(7), pp. 605--610. Randomized trial
    Find this source
  13. Waterman, E. and Lockwood, B (2007) 'Active components and clinical applications of olive oil', 12(4), pp. 331--342. Preclinical
    Find this source

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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