Olive Leaf Extract: antivirals, antifungals, and antibacterials

According to findings in laboratory studies, olive leaf extract is effective in fighting microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa among others that cause numerous diseases. The olive leaf extract has strong eradicating tendencies which include:

• The capability to hinder the production of amino acids necessary for viruses to thrive
• The ability to help in managing infectivity due to viruses by causing this microorganism to become dormant or by impeding the successful reproduction, leaving of the cell without lysis, or assembly of the virus within host cells at the cell membrane
• The capacity to directly break through infected cells and eradicate viral reproduction
• Preventing phagocytosis or ingestion of harmful cells and foreign substances in the body

Awareness about the nutritional value of different natural substances is now common, and people are using more and more of these produce rather than medications and pills. Olive leaf is among one of the most beneficial and wonderful produce given by Mother Nature. Listed below are some amazing benefits of olive leaf extract. 

Anti-ageing properties: Probably the most popular cosmetics today are anti ageing creams. Olive leaf extracts are actually a great alternative to anti ageing creams owing to their amazing composition which improve health, wellness and bring about overall longetivity. The olive leaf extracts are assumed to improve immune system function, which keeps away many diseases and infections. 

The most important health benefit of this leaf is that its extracts improve circulation of blood, which keeps the organs healthy, eliminate toxin accumulations, and thereby keep the skin glowing and healthy. 

Antioxidant properties: Olive leaf extracts are loaded with antioxidants which fight away free radicals that cause cancer. They also help protect the blood vessels from damage and have thought to reverse the effects of atherosclerosis. 

The olive leaves have both astringent and antiseptic qualities which make them an all-rounder. 

Anti-hypertensive properties: With increased stress levels, hypertension can be a serious problem. That's when olive leaf extracts can come handy. These extracts are thought to be anti-hypertensive in function, which significantly lower blood pressure, thereby preventing any heart complications that may arise. 

Other benefits: Apart from these, olive leaf extracts do have many other health benefits. The compound oleuropein, a constituent of olive leaves is thought to be the main reason for disease resistance in the olive plant. Thus, consumption of olive leaf extracts is thought to keep away many diseases and infections like candida infections, meningitis, influenza, common cold, encephalitis, pneumonia, chronic fatigue, hepatitis B, malaria, gonorrhea, dengue, shingles, tuberculosis, dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections and those conditions associated with a virus, retrovirus and bacteria.

This natural antiviral works five different ways against a broad spectrum of viruses.

In order to understand how this natural antiviral can bring hope and improvement to almost anyone with a virus infection, one needs to know a little of how viruses work.

 How do viruses work?

A virus is not alive as we understand life. Outside of a host it is just a speck of DNA or RNA, (genetic material which controls the identity and function ofliving cells), usually surrounded by a protein coat. It cannot move, divide or do anything by itself.

A virus enters your body through a cut, mucous membrane (mouth etc.), insect bite etc., and moves with body fluids until it is either discovered by your immune system and destroyed or comes across a type of cell to which it can attach.

Different cells have different receptors which attach to proteins and other substances they need, and the virus coat resembles these proteins.

How does olive leaf extract (oleuropein) block this process?

Virus infection is a highly intricate process disrupting the most complex internal cell functions. To stop this process is just as complicated, and with man-made chemicals highly dangerous.

A natural antiviral such as olive leaf extract does it miraculously without posing any danger to the human cells. This in itself is a feat way beyond current human understanding.

Researchers at the Upjohn pharmaceutical company reported the following antiviral effects (in my simpler words) using a salt made from olive leaf ingredients (Calcium elenolate) in laboratory experiments in live tissue. It had antiviral activity against every virus it was tested on and works as follows:

• Penetrates into host cells and blocks viral replication.

• Interferes with the virus’ production of the proteins it needs. (Interference with the virus’ hijacking of your cell function).

• Inactivates the viruses, preventing their migration from infected cells and their connection with cell membranes.

• Stops a retrovirus’s production of protease and reverse transcriptase – enzymes a retrovirus such asHIV uses to alter the RNA of a heallthy cell.

• Stimulates the human immune system response (to destroy them).

In short, olive leaf extract ingredients block a virus’ life cycle, stop it multiplying then call up immune cells to demolish it.
It will likely do this to a greater or lesser degree to any viral infection, and so offers much hope to those who wish to avoid infections or those who need help in combating them.

There are many foods and herb extracts which are excellent natural antivirals, and probably many more as yet unknown.

Garlic, onions, grapefruit seed extract, oil of oreganoall spring to mind having some powerful properties. While the food-type ones are good to eat regularly, there are times when more fire-power is needed.

Olive Leaf Extract has a combination of important properties which few, if any, of the other natural antivirals can boast of having.

Below are some of these:

• Broad Spectrum Versatility

• Viral infections often cause ill-defined fevers which cannot be pinpointed, diarrhea or other usually short term illnesses as well as the obvious colds and ‘flu.

• Olive leaf extract debilitates or destroys most if not all of these.

• Olive leaf extract is one of the prime natural remedies for herpes (all types) and some sufferers have claimed it to be as effective as the commonly used prescription drug acyclovir.
  Anyone looking for natural remedies for shingles or a herpes natural remedy should consider olive leaf extract.
  Some viral diseases are not preventable or treatable by pharmaceutical drugs, for example Coxsackie virus, Polio and some of the Herpes viruses such as Epstein Barr. A compound (Calcium elenolate) derived from olive leaf in laboratory tests destroyed all of these.
• ConvenienceOlive leaf extract is one of the best natural cold and ‘flu remedies which you can keep in your kitchen cupboard.
  The tinctures have a shelf-life of about 5 years and the capsules about 2 years and need no special storage other than keeping them out of direct sunlight and at room temperature.They are easy to take, ideally with a little water and as natural antivirals, (food supplements) they require no prescription.
• EffectivenessWhen you need an antiviral, you need it quickly and you need it to work almost immediately.
  Viruses, once they start replicate rapidly and damage a large number of cells in a short space of time.Olive leaf extracts works quickly. You normally notice a dulling of symptoms within hours of the first few doses. This I have noticed especially using a good tincture as a natural cold remedy or for the ‘flu.On day 3-4 when there is a big reduction of symptoms the risk is now forgetting to take the next few doses – you feel so much better!
  Forgetting now is a big mistake, and you will realise how much the olive leaf was doing when its activity tapers off and the infection returns with a vengeance. It now takes longer to get rid of it.
  Continue for about 3-4 days after feeling completely well again to ensure you’ve got it beaten.
  If the infection was just starting when you began dosing, as with an itchy throat and you caught it early, you may only need a few doses altogether to stop it.
• Non-damaging to Beneficial Gut BacteriaOlive leaf extract does not appear to damage probiotic bacteria in the gut, a property which separates it from most other natural antivirals.
  This is very important in avoiding recurring infections after overcoming the first one.
• SafetyThe exceptional lack of toxicity in such a potent antiviral is a miracle in itself.
  You do not have to worry about “finishing a course”. Start or stop taking as you please. Pathogens have not been able to mutate around live leaf extract for thousands of years.

Olive leaf extract is in my opinion the first choice in natural antivirals. Not only is it effective in the vast majority of cases, it is easy to use, store and is extremely safe when used as directed. It will not compromise your health later on.

Although one of the best natural flu remedies and a great natural cold remedy, remember olive leaf is not apain killer.
If you are infected and have painful symptoms, do not expect the pain to go immediately. It will go gradually as the infection is stopped and the body begins to heal.

I have found that a “hot toddy” made of powdered vitamin C, a tablespoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey and 1 “Disprin” (only if you are allowed aspirin, use paracetamol in minimum recommended dose for children) mixed in 1/4 cup of boiling water and drunk hot, takes away a sore throat and post-nasal drip and allows a good night’s sleep.

If you have seasonal allergies and recurring colds and ‘flu it might be a good idea to check these symptoms in case you have a vitamin C deficiency.

Humans need a strong and healthy immune system to defend the body from the possible damaging effects of bacteria and viruses. Extract from fresh olive leaves can be extremely potent in protecting the body from microbes. It is the pungent components found in the leaves or polyphenols that were found to be especially effective in preventing damage caused by bacteria. A drug company study found olive leaf extracts to be useful in the treatment of parasitic protozoan, viral, and bacterial infections.

Recommended dose

There is actually no mandated recommended dose for using olive leaf extract. However, research scientists recommend a particular dose for regular use and a therapeutic dose for certain conditions. Typically, the recommended dose for general use is one tablespoon or fifteen milliliters taken once or twice before meals. If a person is sick with flu, fever, colds, and other common infections affecting the respiratory tract, the extract is recommended to be taken every six hours with 2x5 milliliter teaspoons. According to a naturopathic doctor, fifteen milliliters of olive leaf extract is recommended for individuals with throat infection, fever, or swollen glands to be taken every six hours.