A mediterranean approach to health
One of the most fascinating things to happen in the field of medicine over the past few decades is that scientists are now validating what herbalist and traditional healers have known for centuries – that many plants have amazing healing properties!With literally hundreds of different plants used around the world in traditional medicine, it is great to see that the Olive tree, which has one of the longest histories of traditional use, is now receiving scientific recognition.
“The plants’ healing powers were mentioned in the Bible...”
Sometimes referred to as the ‘Tree of Life’, the Olive tree is believed to have been growing on the shores of the Mediterranean for more than 5,000 years. The oil was used for the mummification of Egyptian kings and Hippocrates prescribed it for curing many ills including ulcers, cholera and muscular pains. The plants’ healing powers were mentioned in the Bible and in Greek mythology the olive plant was believed to have been created by Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who endowed it with the power to cure illness, heal wounds and provide nourishment.
Improve cardiovascular health
Olive oil has always played a major role in the Mediterranean diet which is considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world because it increases longevity and reduces the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Since this was first identified in the 1950s, scientists have been looking into the health giving properties of the oil and discovered it is a rich source of a mono-unsaturated fat, known as oleic acid. This has many health giving properties including helping to lower cholesterol, reducing inflammation and improving immune function. Olive oil also helps with the assimilation of the important fat soluble vitamins – A, D, E and K – which have recently been shown to help reduce the risk of certain cancers.“…many health giving properties including helping to lower cholesterol, reducing inflammation and improving immune function.”
The leaves, as well as the fruit, also contain many health-boosting properties and have been used in remedies for centuries. As far back as 1854, the Pharmaceutical Journal detailed a cold and flu remedy consisting of a tea made from Olive leaves. The real breakthrough however, wasn’t until 1962 when researchers discovered that Olive leaves could lower blood pressure in animals. More recently, follow up research has shown that Olive leaf can also help to increase blood flow to coronary arteries, reduce arrhythmias and may also help to reduce the blocking up of arteries by preventing the oxidation of LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol.
