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Posted by Margy Squires on 4/30/2026 to
Olive Leaf Extract
At TyH, Olive Leaf Extract is one of our biggest sellers all year.
The healing tree boasts roots back to the Garden due to its ability to withstand disease and environmental threats. The idea that plants can protect you is not so farfetched. After all, you eat food to build and sustain your body by the compounds they possess. Apparently plants appear to pass along health promoting benefits on to you, too.
An extract from olive leaves, oleuropein, is the subject of much research as scientists try to learn some of its protective properties, especially its antioxidant activity. Like many medicinal plants, olive leaf extract (OLE) is multidimensional in how it behaves and it has the ability to influence many body systems.
OLE has been studied for decades but it wasn't until scientists isolated oleuropein from the leaves that its amazing benefits were truly recognized. This powerful phytochemical has kept olive trees from disease and apparently offers human protective properties as well. In fact, some of the original olive trees are believed to be in the Garden of Gethsemane in Israel. As the most active compound in OLE, oleuropein is standardized in a range of 6-22% oleuropein content, with 6% being the predominant one studied in research. Standardization gives scientists the ability to track and replicate studies that offer the most effective benefits.
The more OLE is studied, the more benefits are found. For instance, OLE is shown to act as an antioxidant to decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) implicated in free radical damage, aging, and chronic disease. OLE also seems to modify markers involved in the inflammatory response which could cause further cell damage and in doing so supports the body's healing response. Researchers investigated OLE's positive influence on systolic blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides involved in heart health. One suggested explanation is that OLE acts on the cells that line blood vessels to improve endothelial function as well as the enzyme that affects the flexibility of the blood vessels. OLE may influence blood sugar levels by reducing starch digestion and absorption. This action may represent "an effective adjunct therapy to normalize glucose homeostasis" per the study authors.
OLE may help with weight markers. One area of study is OLE's effect on adipose (fat) cells and weight loss. Another study "strongly. suggests that OLE's polyphenols such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol reverse the chronic inflammation and oxidative stress that induces the cardiovascular, hepatic (liver) and metabolic symptoms of diet-induced obesity and diabetes". These obesity markers are involved in the risk of metabolic disease. Hydroxytyrosol is a plant oil found in OLE.
What about side effects? General use of OLE typically has no side effects and is well tolerated according to human studies. OLE seems to be beneficial for GI health with its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity. If taking OLE as a supplement, a person may experience mild, flu-like symptoms or what is known as the Herxheimer Reaction. This reaction occurs when your detoxifying organs -- the liver, kidneys, intestines and skin -- dispose of toxins too quickly. You can avoid this by following the label directions and drinking plenty of of water.
In a 2017 editorial in Oncotarget, W. Sun and colleagues summarized: "The unexpected benefits and unique properties of oleuropein provide ample rationale for continued use and study of this key component of the Mediterranean diet to promote human health. Future studies are needed for more comprehensive understanding of the cellular network." A 2025 published study in BioMolecules noted OLE may have an impact on muscle wasting and bone health in aging. No doubt OLE has even more health promoting properties to discover!
Remember that supplements are supplements. Olive Leaf Extract is not a drug and does not work instantaneously or overnight. OLE has a lot to offer to support your daily health habits. Since OLE may affect heart and blood sugar markers, always share supplement use with your health care professional. ©TyH, Inc. For informational purposes only.
