Many know about the benefits of olive and olive oil, but do they know about its leaves? The subject matter goes back to an ancient civilization, where ancient Egyptians people used the olives' leaves and considered them as a sign of power.There have been speed progress since 1880, where the olive leaves were used as herbal medicine against malaria. At the beginning of 1900, scientists have extracted a bitter component called "Olea europaea," and since then, it was believed that the olive tree is a disease-resistant.But are there any benefits for the olive leaves when consumed as a tea? What are the cautions that should be taken while drinking the olive leaves tea? This is what we are going to see in the following article.

1. What are the olive leaves?

The olive tree is a little evergreen tree with green silver leaves of 4 to 10 centimeters long and with small white flowers. Its native region is the Mediterranean countries, Asia, and Africa; thus, these regions are famous for drinking tea than other regions of the world where the tea is made of dried olive leaves and tree bark.Unprepared olive leaves contain the ‘’Olea europaea,’’ which is one of the antioxidants responsible for many health benefits, in addition to other polyphenols and other flavonoids.

2. The benefit of olive leaves tea

Here below, we are going to discuss some of the most known and healthier benefits of the olive leaves tree.

2.1 Good for the heart

The olive leaves tea is good for the heart since it extends the coronary arteries, which allows the blood flow; thus, it helps to regulate the heartbeat.

2.2 Caffeine-free

That means that you’ll have more energy without caffeine.

2.3 Reduce cholesterol

If you have some problems with your cholesterol, this tea will regulate cholesterol levels and reduce the levels of bad cholesterol.

2.4 Fight the free radicals

The antioxidants existing in the olive leaves tea to fight against the free radicals and their harmful effects. As they are reactive chemicals, they can oxidize and cause cell damage; thus, this tea is good to eliminate toxins, carcinogens, and the chemicals from the body.Researchers show that the antioxidants in the olive leaves tea can be an anti-cancer as they help in the treatment of tumors and cancers, such as liver, breast, and prostate cancers; however, these studies are still preliminary. Olive leaf tea is known for its protective actions because of its ability to repair DNA.

2.4 Strengthens the immune system

Olive leaves have traditionally been used to improve the immune system function and to strengthen the body's efforts to fight against invaders. A liquid extract of fresh olive leaves has an antioxidant capacity almost double that of a green tea extract and four times higher than vitamin C.

2.5 Fight infections (viral infections)

Olive leaves and tree bark drinks may fight fever and germs, and many studies said that olive leaves tea works as antiviral in the body because it stops the reproduction of the virus in the cells.Olive leaves tea is an antibacterial, anti-inflammation, and anti-viral as well. In other words; It brings some benefits to prevent the infection of viruses or bacteria into the body, such as; Yeast infection, viral infection, and help to avoid the herpes zoster, which is a virus infection that causes a painful irritation. It could be used as compresses mixed with honey to treat rashes.

2.6 Lower blood pressure

Olive leaves tea helps to treat hypertension or high blood pressure

2.7 Help diabetics

According to a study applied to diabetics’ people, who consumed 330 milliliters of olive leaves tea every day, it has been approved that the level of triglycerides has decreased. Therefore, it is a good treatment for diabetic patients as It works as a stimulator for the formation of insulin to the body to become normal once again. Hence, it will bring back a natural way of the body in converting the glucose into energy.

2.8 Improve brain function

The olive leaves tea helps to develop the brain's function. When the blood circulates correctly, it helps in the distribution of enough oxygen to the brain nerves. Therefore, it will boost the brain to bring a better and proper function. The consumption of olive leaves tea will help to avoid the possibility of early memory loss.

3. How to drink olive leaves tea?

The olive leaves tea has a pleasant taste like the green tea, but sweeter, to prepare it, it's recommended to boil about 30 grams of washed and dried olive leaves in 1 liter of water, then consume two cups per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. It may be sweetened by adding sugar or take it as a cold drink by adding some ice.

4. Side effects

Just like any other leaf extract, olive leaf extract also contains several side effects. Therefore, you have to pay caution while consuming it. Some of the side effects of olive leaves tea are hyper urination, headache, dizziness, low blood sugar, skin rashes, and diarrhea.To conclude upThe olive leaves tea may be a suitable solution for you if you are looking for a green tea without caffeine and more health benefits. However, you have to be always careful while consuming it, and it's recommended to consult your doctor about it.

Originally published on Live Positively.