Olive leaf extract is available as a tincture and as capsules filled with powdered or dried olive leaves. According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the herbal medicine has been used to treat infections, hypertension, inflammation and diabetes. Olive leaves contain an antioxidant called oleuropein, which may be behind the supplements' healing powers. Consult a doctor first if you feel like giving olive leaf extract a try.
Olive Leaf Extract Capsules
A dose of dried olive leaf extract contains a higher concentration of oleuropein than the tincture. On the other hand, while there might be more of the antioxidant in a capsule than in the liquid supplement, some of the potency may be lost as a result of the drying process. Besides, the body assimilates the liquid form of the extract more readily than the dried leaves, which can also irritate the stomach. Also, capsules often contain fillers necessary for the production process, which you are better off avoiding until you investigate how safe they are. The shelf life of olive leaf extract capsules is two years. Keep the bottle away from sunlight and in a dry, cool place.
Alcohol-Preserved Olive Leaf Extract
Liquid olive leaf extract preserved in ethanol, a type of alcohol safe for consumption, retains the oils that may be lost in the drying process. This form of the herbal medicine is also fast acting in comparison with the capsules. But they seem to work best to treat problems in the upper part of the body such as mouth inflammation and throat infection. Alcohol-preserved tinctures are free of fillers and have a shelf life of at least five years. Look for tinctures with 30 to 40 percent ethanol. Mix the dose with juice if you do not like the taste.
Glycerin-Preserved Olive Leaf Extract
Glycerin, or glycerol, is a sweet and sticky byproduct of soap production. Tinctures preserved in glycerin have a shorter shelf life than alcohol-based extracts. The body does not assimilate this type of tincture as quickly. Glycerin olive leaf tinctures are a good option for children and adults who avoid all alcohol. Like the ethanol version of the product, this option is free of fillers.
Olive Leaf Extract Use
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, olive leaf extract is a natural remedy for the treatment of pelvic inflammation disease and histoplasmosis. Pelvic inflammation disease refers to an infection that can affect any part of a woman's reproductive system. UMMC recommends taking 250 milligrams to 500 milligrams of an olive leaf standardized extract, one to three times daily. Histoplasmosis is a soil-borne fungal infection that affects the lungs when you breathe the fungus in. As for pelvic inflammation disease, take 250 milligrams to 500 milligrams of an olive leaf standardized extract, one to three times daily. Follow these recommendations after a doctor diagnoses either disease and under her supervision. Olive leaf extract is not a substitute for any treatment your physician prescribes.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs--Olive Leaf
- Olive Leaf Extract: Olive Leaf Capsules--Benefits and Drawbacks
- Olive Leaf Extract: Olive Leaf Extract Liquid Tinctures Used by Herbalists for Centuries Have Some Important Advantages
- Olive Leaf Extract: Olive Leaf Extract Liquid
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Histoplasmosis
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