Olive (Olea europaea)
Photo: Palauenc05 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Digestive
- 2 conditions
- Licensed photo
Overview
Olive (Olea europaea) is a small evergreen tree, typically 33 ft (10 m), with grayish bark, leathery leaves, and green fruit maturing to black. The leaves are mildly hypotensive, and olive oil (pressed from the fruit) is prized for its nutritional benefits - particularly in improving cardiovascular health and lowering cholesterol.
Traditional uses & properties
Antiviral & Hypotensive (Leaves): Can aid mild hypertension and some viral infections, though antimicrobial effects are mild. Nutritious & Cholesterol-Lowering (Oil): High in oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat), supports healthy lipid profiles and gallbladder function. Liver & Digestive: Lemon juice with olive oil is a traditional approach for gallstones; the oil supports overall digestive health.
Traditional preparations
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person.
Dried leaf (1:5, 60% alcohol); 2-3 ml (0.2-0.6 tsp.) 3 times daily
4-8 ounces 1-4 times daily
500-1,000 mg, 2 times daily with meals
Safety & precautions
None Known: Generally recognized as safe in normal dietary amounts. Essential Oil: Rarely used from olives specifically; caution if using specialized extracts or medicinals.
Drug & food interactions
Interaction data is not available for this herb - talk to a pharmacist before combining it with any medication. A blank entry here means we have not documented interactions, not that none exist.
Habitat
Predominantly from the Mediterranean, olive trees prefer sunny, temperate climates with well-drained soil. The leaves can be collected throughout the year, while the fruit is harvested in late summer or autumn.
Traditionally used for
Each condition shows its first 2 remedies free. Premium opens the full remedy list for every condition - or come back for the free Condition of the Day.
Frequently asked questions
What is Olive (Olea europaea) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Olive (Olea europaea) as follows: Antiviral & Hypotensive (Leaves): Can aid mild hypertension and some viral infections, though antimicrobial effects are mild. Nutritious & Cholesterol-Lowering (Oil): High in oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat), supports healthy lipid profiles and gallbladder function. Liver & Digestive: Lemon juice with olive oil is a traditional approach for gallstones; the oil supports overall digestive health.
How is Olive (Olea europaea) prepared?
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person. TINCTURE: Dried leaf (1:5, 60% alcohol); 2-3 ml (0.2-0.6 tsp.) 3 times daily STANDARD INFUSION:: 4-8 ounces 1-4 times daily CAPSULE: 500-1,000 mg, 2 times daily with meals
What safety cautions apply to Olive (Olea europaea)?
None Known: Generally recognized as safe in normal dietary amounts. Essential Oil: Rarely used from olives specifically; caution if using specialized extracts or medicinals.
Related herbs
Aloe (Aloe vera)Aloe vera (syn. A. barbadensis) is a succulent commonly grown as a potted plant, notable for its thick, fleshy leaves that contain two distinct medicinal components. The inner clear gel is renowned for its soothing and wound-healing properties, while the bitter yellow sap from the leaf base (often called “bitter aloes”) has a strong laxative effect. Historically, aloe vera has been prized for treating skin irritations, burns, and ulcers. It can also be taken internally (as juice) to support digestion and immune function. Whole leaf aloe juice has been used to help fight arthritis, AIDS, cancer, and other chronic conditions, though the outer leaf portion containing anthraquinones is typically filtered out to avoid harsh laxative effects.
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)Barberry is considered one of the best bitter liver tonics due to its high content of berberine - an antimicrobial and antifungal alkaloid. It is a thorny, deciduous shrub reaching about 10 ft (3 m) in height, with tough, leathery leaves, small yellow flowers, and bright red berries in autumn. The bark (both stem and root) is the most commonly used medicinal part, though the berries are also employed in traditional remedies.
Boldo (Peumus boldus)Not for self-dosingBoldo is a strongly aromatic multi-branched evergreen shrub or tree growing to 20 feet. It has egg-shaped leathery leaves with a lemony scent, clusters of white or yellow bell-shaped flowers, and small yellow berries. Native to Chile and Peru, it has become naturalized in the Mediterranean region and the West Coast of North America, where it grows on dry sunny slopes and in mountain pastures in the Andes. It is widely cultivated, and its leaves are gathered throughout the year. Boldo is a valued remedy in Latin American herbal medicine and is used by the Araucanian people in Chile as a tonic.
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)Fringe tree is a deciduous shrub or tree growing to 33 feet with elliptical dark green leaves, long flowering stems bearing spikes of white flowers, and dark blue oval fruits. Native to the United States and now also found in eastern Asia, it grows from Pennsylvania south to Florida and Texas and thrives on riverbanks and in damp shrubby areas. The root is unearthed in spring or autumn, mostly in Virginia and North Carolina. Native Americans and European settlers commonly used fringe tree to treat inflammations of the eye, canker sores, and spongy gums. The Choctaw of Louisiana applied the mashed bark to cuts and bruises, and Native Americans in Alabama used the bark for toothache. In the 19th-century Anglo-American Physiomedicalist tradition, it was valued as a bitter tonic and was often used to aid recovery from long-term illness.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial with a thick rhizome, growing to about 3 ft (90 cm), featuring lance-shaped leaves and pale yellow flowers. Renowned for its bright yellow-orange color, turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and liver-supportive herb commonly employed in Indian cooking and Ayurveda.