Some olive leaves medicinal properties have been known since ancient times. Others have only recently come to light. Most of today's recent studies focus on two big killers; heart disease and cancer. Here's what we know.
We know that nearly all cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material within the cells of the body. Although it can occur at any age and even in fetuses, it is often considered a disease of the elderly, since our cancer risk seems to increase with age.
Heart disease, too, can occur at any age, but the most common type is atherosclerosis, which is caused by a buildup of fatty plaques on the internal walls of the arteries leading to the heart. This buildup interferes with blood flow and causes the heart muscle to continuously work hard to keep the blood flowing. Eventually, that causes damage to the cells of the heart muscle.
The olive leaves medicinal properties recognized by the ancients had mostly to do with treating infection, although it was used for other health problems, as well. Modern research has shown that compounds within the leaf do, in fact, have antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral activity. Ancient healers knew very little about cancerous tumors. They knew nothing about genetic material or that molecular activity within the cells of the body leads to disease and age.
So, we might like to think that traditional medicine was the "right" type of medicine, but we owe a great deal of gratitude to modern scientists for explaining the cause of disease and death, as well as why some plants have medical applications, while others don't. It took modern scientists to fully explain olive leaves medicinal properties. As with many other botanicals, regular consumption of moderate amounts may reduce your risk of death due to heart disease and cancer.
Extracts from the leaf may fight cancer by inhibiting tumor growth, and preventing the proliferation of cancerous cells. Other extracts have similar anti-cancer activity. Green tea extracts, for example, suppress the growth of certain tumors. Resveratrol, an antioxidant in red grapes, acts against cancer in all of its stages, preventing the formation of tumors and the progression of the disease. Curcumin, found in turmeric, kills cancer cells, but is not toxic to healthy cells.
When it comes to olive leaves medicinal properties for heart health, it reduces blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels. Green tea has also been shown to lower unhealthy cholesterol levels and improves circulation. Resveratrol has been shown to prolong the life of heart cells. Curcumin has lowers cholesterol levels and prevents clots from forming. All of these compounds help prevent the buildup of fatty plaques that cause atherosclerosis.
Added to that, they all stimulate and support the health of the human immune system. Those of us that are concerned about our long-term health take well-designed multi-nutritional supplements that contain these and other plant extracts. Olive leaves medicinal properties are impressive, but no more so than other botanicals. Get the most out of your life by choosing the best supplements and taking them religiously.
