Boost Your Immunity with Olive Leaf Extracts
A strong immune system is the best indicator of an individual's positive health status. Our immune system does a remarkable job of defending the body against invading virus, bacteria and other microorganisms. An individual with a weak immune system is more prone to illness and needs immune boosters. Boosting immune system is not a complicated task and could be achieved by adding natural immune boosters to the diet.
Medical research suggests that one of the important ways for boosting immune system is to support its function through food. This may include healthy dietary changes, consuming certain herbs and plants which boost the activity of a weak immune system. The application of herbs and plants as immune system boosters have been in use for many centuries now. Plants and herbs may have unique phytochemicals/ phytonutrients which exhibit potent antibacterial properties. The nutrients in these herbs stimulate a low immune system, and hence acts as perfect immune boosters. Olive leaf extract is one such herbal supplement that has been extensively studied for its significant therapeutic properties especially as immune system boosters.
Olive leaves in folk medicine
Olive leaves were used in traditional folk medicine due to the presence of powerful antibiotics and have been in wide use across Europe and Mediterranean regions in the form of herbal teas, powder and extracts. Olive leaves are well known for their ability to resist attack by insects and other microbes and it is this property that stirred a lot of interest among researchers and scientists. The phytonutrient oleuropein in olive leaves have the ability to boost a weak immune system and its natural antibiotic properties do not build immune resistance unlike chemical antibiotics.
What is Olive leaf extract?
Olive leaf extract is derived from the leaves of the olive tree. The active constituents in olive leaves are the polyphenolic compounds, triterpenes, secoiridoids, flavonoids and the antioxidant oleuropein which exhibits potent antimicrobial properties (1,2,3) and hence is touted as a powerful natural antibiotic. The bioactive compound secoiridoid oleuropein constitutes about 6-9 % of dry matter in the olive leaves.
How to boost immune system?
Good nutrition and healthy living are the two crucial components in boosting a low immune system.
a. Nutritional components for boosting immune system:
Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
Refrain from processed, refined and junk foods
Include herbs and spices in everyday cooking.
Consider safe and natural supplements to act as immune boosters.
b. Lifestyle components for boosting immune system:
Avoid smoking and living in polluted environment.
Consume alcohol in moderation, excess alcohol intake leads to weak immune system.
Follow a regular exercise regimen and maintain a healthy body weight.
Wash your hands thoroughly before eating.
Get adequate sleep.
Role of olive leaf extract in boosting immune system
Oleuropein is the important plant chemical( phytochemical) that exhibits significant immune boosting properties. Olive leaf extract boost the immune systems by exhibiting antibiotic and antioxidant properties. Studies reveal that the water extracts of olive leaf extracts showed potent anti-bacterial effect by inhibiting bacterial growth and destruction of E.coli cells. The array of phenolic compounds in olive leaf extracts exhibited significant bactericidal action and anti-fungal action against gram-positive and gram -negative bacteria (4,5) indicating that they may be more effective than the regular chemical antibiotics.
Apart from the direct influence on the immune system, oleuropein in olive leaves also eliminates factors that negatively impact the immune system such as inflammation. Inflammation is one among the many factors that slows the immune function. Studies confirm that olive leaves exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effect(6) by inhibiting the production of inflammation causing components namely leukotriene B4.
Immune system is never at rest and functions constantly to fight off bacteria and kill them. Best way to support immune health is through healthy diet and lifestyle and consuming dietary supplement that act as immune boosters. Olive leaf extract acts as a perfect immune system booster and alleviates illness arising from a weak immune system.
References
1. Rodriguez MM, Perez J, Ramos-Cormenzana A, Martinez J. Effect of extracts obtained from olive oil mill waste waters on Bacillus megaterium ATCC 33085. Journal of Applied Bacteriology. 1988; 64:219-26.
2. Tassou CC, Nychas GJE, Board RG. Effect of Phenolic Compounds and Oleuropein on the Germination of Bacillus cereus T Spores. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry. 1991; 13:231-37. 3. El SN, Karakaya S; Olive tree (Olea europaea) leaves: potential beneficial effects on human health; Nutr Rev. 2009 Nov;67(11):632-8.
4. Markin D, Duek L, Berdicevsky I; In vitro antimicrobial activity of olive leaves; Mycoses. 2003 Apr;46(3-4):132-6.
5. Pereira AP, et.al; Phenolic compounds and antimicrobial activity of olive (Olea europaea L. Cv. Cobrançosa) leaves; Molecules. 2007 May 26;12(5):1153-62.
6. S. H.Omar; Oleuropein in Olive and its Pharmacological Effects; Sci Pharm. 2010 June 30; 78(2): 133–154.