Olive leaf
Olea europaea
Herbs & Roots. Western & European and Middle Eastern & Unani.
Also called Olive tree leaf, Olive leaf extract
Spanish: Hoja de olivo
Lowers blood pressureLeaves of the olive tree, used as tea or extract for blood pressure and general immune support.
Did you know? Fresh olives taste bitter because of oleuropein, a compound that breaks down as olives ripen and are cured.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Blood pressure. A few small trials show modest blood pressure drops with olive leaf extract. One 148-person trial found drops similar to captopril, but it was industry-funded, and a combination-product trial found no significant effect.Early proof
- Infections. Lab studies show activity against some bacteria and viruses. No good human trials for infections.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Mediterranean folk medicine used olive leaf tea for fevers and general health. Some traditions called it a tonic.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Hypotensive, Antioxidant. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Tea is made from dried leaves, or extract capsules are taken. Trials used standardized extracts, and no standard dose is set.
Tea, capsule and tincture.
Where to get it
Olive trees grow around the Mediterranean and in other warm regions. Dried leaf, tea, and standardized extract capsules are sold.
Be careful
Olive leaf is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include dizziness, low blood pressure, and stomach upset. It may add to the effect of blood pressure and diabetes medicines.
Avoid if: low blood pressure; pregnancy; diabetes medicines.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both have been studied for mild blood pressure drops.
- Use cautionBlood pressure medicine (lisinopril, amlodipine, losartan)
It may lower blood pressure more when used with blood pressure drugs.
- Use cautionDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
It may add to the blood sugar lowering from diabetes medicines.
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The honest take
Olive leaf has some small trial support for mild blood pressure drops. Most of its other claims, like fighting viruses, are based on lab work or tradition. Do not use it in place of prescribed blood pressure care.