10 Olive Leaf Tea Benefits Worth Knowing

You've had the fruit as a mealtime appetiser - now is the time to try Olive Leaf Tea benefits. This is a type of Herbal Tea that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Though not as well known as Camomile, Peppermint or Hibiscus Tea, it still has much to offer.

But don't just take our word for it. Read the following article to discover the facts, figures, history and, of course, well-documented health benefits of Olive Leaf Tea.

Nutritional Benefits of Olive Leaf Tea

Olive trees (Olea europaea), belonging to the Oleaceae family, have grown in the eastern Mediterranean basin for 40 million years. Easily recognisable by their short stature (rarely exceeding 26-49 feet high), they produce fruits, flowers and Olive leaves.

The latter component is what we use to make Olive Leaf Tea, an infusion that boasts an abundance of vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants. Of all its nutrients, polyphenols such as oleacein and oleuropein are perhaps the most important.

These chemical compounds play a considerable role in combating free radicals in the body. By working on a molecular level, oleacein and oleuropein slow oxidative stress and reduce the risk of developing a multitude of chronic conditions.

And that's only the start of Olive Leaf Tea health benefits.

The Science Behind Olive Leaf Tea Benefits

The word "anti" has many negative connotations in most contexts. An exception to the rule is when taking Olive Leaf extract.

You've already learnt about its strong antioxidant properties. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, anti-atherogenic, and even anti-cancer properties.

Where, exactly, is the proof of its reported influence on human health? Can drinking Olive Leaf Tea truly improve your wellbeing? You'll find below the latest scientific research from peer-reviewed studies conducted around the world.

The evidence showcased will include lowering blood pressure, promoting weight loss, decreasing diabetes risks, alleviating herpes symptoms, strengthening hair follicles and more. Few things could be more impressive than that.

1. Olive Leaf Tea and Lower Blood Pressure

About one in four adults in England - amounting to around 12.5 million people - live with high blood pressure. The good news is that Olive Leaf extract could lower levels.

One study, conducted by Swiss and German researchers, used the concept of a twins trial. By using identical twins, it increased the power of the resulting data insofar as eliminating uncertainties caused by genetic variations.

The project involved 20 identical twins, all of whom had high blood pressure, split into two groups. The first group received a placebo, while the second consumed Olive Leaf extract.

After eight weeks, the researchers concluded that the Olive Leaf extract group experienced lower blood pressure due to its antihypertensive properties. These properties, in turn, came about because of its antioxidant capacity.

Nevertheless, despite the promising nature of Olive Leaf Tea for hypertension, more human trials are needed to confirm whether it interferes with blood pressure medications.

2. Olive Leaf Tea for Weight Loss

Preliminary studies suggest that the frequent consumption of Olive tree leaves prevents weight gain and fundamentally assists in weight management. For starters, the Tea is low in calories and, therefore, is an excellent alternative to sugary or fatty soft drinks.

Furthermore, similar to Matcha Tea, it boosts the metabolism of fat cells, enabling the body to burn fat quicker and more efficiently. A study conducted at the University of Southern Queensland and published in the American Journal of Nutrition can explain how.

Australian scientists fed rats a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for eight weeks until they developed signs of metabolic syndrome. This led to increased abdominal fat, fatty liver, hypertension (high blood pressure) and impaired glucose tolerance.

The rats then received Roast Coffee fortified with Olive Leaf extract for another eight weeks, resulting in improved metabolic signs.

Just remember that you'll have to monitor your food intake and frequently exercise to see noticeable changes. In other words, treat Olive Leaf Tea Benefits as an accompaniment to those morning jogs and evening salads!

3. Olive Leaf Extracts Can Enhance the Skin's Vitality

Olive Leaf extract can protect against several skin blemishes. For example, one 2014 study found that its strong antioxidant properties - specifically oleuropein - accelerate wound healing.

There is likewise evidence indicating that it prevents UV damage with topical application (applying it directly to the skin). Meanwhile, its anti-ageing properties might reduce early signs of wrinkles, and its anti-inflammatory properties could eliminate inflammatory markers associated with acne and dermatitis.

The trouble is that few human studies have been conducted to support these claims. The bottom line is that more research is needed before we can endorse the use of Olive Leaf extract for the above purposes.

4. Olive Leaf Tea for Diabetes

Morocco's traditional medicine has long used Olive Leaf extract to stabilise blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes. We now have the proof from a New Zealand randomised controlled trial conducted by the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland.

The study involved 46 middle-aged, overweight men receiving either Olive Leaf extract or a placebo over 12 weeks. At its conclusion, the scientists recorded a 15% improvement in the volunteers consuming Olive Leaf Tea.

The primary reason, according to the study, was the polyphenols in Olive Leaf extract that enhanced glucose (blood sugar) regulation. However, anyone deemed at-risk from type-2 diabetes should seek the advice of a health professional before brewing the infusion.

5. Olive Leaf Tea for Herpes

Herpes (also called Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV) is an umbrella term that can refer to two types of the disease: HSV-1 and HSV-2. The former is predominantly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact. The latter is a sexually transmitted infection.

How can Olive Leaf Tea benefits help? A 2022 randomised control trial has the answers.

Sixty-six participants with HSV-1 were split into two groups, the first receiving a cream with Olive Leaf extract and the second taking an antiviral cream. The results showed that while both groups experienced improved symptoms, the Tea group had less bleeding, itching and pain after three days of consumption.

The researchers concluded that Olive leaves were superior in the healing of episodes of HSV-1 over the antiviral cream.

6. Olive Leaf Tea for Thrush

An estimated 75% of women will have vaginal thrush in their lifetime. This is a common condition caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, the yeast that lives in the bowel and, to a lesser extent, in the vagina.

Though harmless in most instances, an increase in the yeast numbers can lead to thrush symptoms, including discharge, itching and stinging during sex or urinating.

According to a 2015 Iranian study, the antifungal properties of Olive Leaf extract can be an effective treatment against Candida albicans in laboratory conditions. Yet, once again, few human-based studies have been conducted to confirm these findings. As a result, we must urge you to seek medical consultation before trying it yourself.

7. This Tea Strengthens Hair Follicles

Roughly 100,000 hair follicles exist on your head, comprising a small pouch in your skin where hair grows. All the same, on average, a person will lose between 50 to 100 hairs each day.

There is a chance that the loss of these hairs over time increases to the point where you experience balding. Known as Alopecia, more than 85% of men and 50% of women will suffer from excessive hair loss by age 50.

Olive Leaf extract improves moisture and shine and smoothes out loose strands. Most vitally, according to an animal-based study conducted by Yonsei University, South Korea, Olive Leaf extract may stimulate anagen hair growth in mice. There were nevertheless some side effects reported in the project, meaning we don't endorse it until its efficacy has been determined.

8. Olive Leaf Extract May Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your bloodstream, too much of which can cause severe health complications, most infamously cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle factors such as eating fatty food, a lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking, or drinking alcohol can lead to high cholesterol levels.

Being prescribed medication is one course of action, as well as exercising more or cutting down on unhealthy indulgences. Alternatively, or in addition to, you could consider taking Olive Leaf extract in Tea-form.

A 2015 animal-based study published in the Journal of Phytotherapy Research can shed light on its capacity. Rats fed a high cholesterol diet were then provided with Olive tree leaves over an eight-week period. By the study's end, the rodents experienced improved atherogenic lipid profile, effectively referring to reduced cholesterol levels.

9. Protect Against Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline can manifest itself in chronic diseases like dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. It affects around 750,000 Britons, a statistic set to double over the next forty years as Britain's population ages.

The frequent consumption of Green Tea from the Camellia sinensis (Tea) plant is renowned for assisting those with cognitive impairment. Research suggests that taking Olive Leaf extract, too, can help.

According to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Molecular Sciences, the antioxidant oleuropein prevents the loss or damage of dopamine neurons. Furthermore, the Tea averts decreases in working memory while delaying the early signs of depressive behaviours.

10. Olive Leaf Extract May Prevent Cancer

We must stress that Olive Leaf extract, as a standalone treatment, is not a solution to cancer in any way, shape or form. It should be seen only as an accompaniment to medically-proven methods. Moreover, The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company would always recommend that you discuss its use with a healthcare professional prior to considering it.

With that out of the way, we can talk about what it can achieve. One 2009 study, published in the Journal of Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, examined the effect of Olive Leaf extract on cancer and endothelial cells. It concluded that the Herbal Tea stopped cancerous cell growth through its wealth of antioxidant properties, not least oleuropein.

Olive Leaf Tea Side Effects

It's time for a brief recap of the potential health benefits of Olive Leaf extract. Almost countless studies have uncovered its outstanding ability to promote weight loss, affect insulin sensitivity, reduce acne or eczema blemishes, and alleviate herpes symptoms.

Above all else, it is acclaimed for its role in lowering blood pressure levels, thereby warding off cardiovascular disease. However, Olive Leaf extract may likewise come with unfortunate side effects that you should be made aware of now.

Anyone taking blood thinners or who has diabetes should check with their doctor ahead of taking Olive Leaf extract. There is also a chance of developing an upper respiratory illness through an allergic reaction to the beverage.

Summary of Olive Leaf Tea Benefits

There you have it: The wonders of Olive Leaf extract in full. All that's left is to know where to buy Olive Leaf Tea. Look no further than The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where every Loose Leaf Tea and Roast Coffee is packed by hand and fresh to order. Doing so ensures not only quality but also consistency with every delightful and nutritional cuppa brewed.