olive leaf and high blood pressure

Olive leaf extract comes from the olive tree, a member of the evergreen family native to the Mediterranean region, but grown around the world. The health benefits of olive leaf extract can be traced back to ancient Mediterranean cultures, where the olive leaf was used in connection with a wide variety of illnesses. In recent years the olive leaf has been rediscovered by the herbal supplement community, and new therapeutic applications have been discovered and are in use. Olive leaf contains a complex structure of substances which act as vasodilators, lowering blood pressure. The hypotensive action of olive leaf has been studied for two decades: Researchers noted a statistically significant decrease of blood pressure for all patients, without side effects. One of the most active chemicals found in the leaves of olive trees is known as. oleuropein. In studies, oleuropein not only prevented the development of high blood pressure but also reduced existing high blood pressure. Although the possible reasons for these effects are not known, it is thought that oleuropein may relax blood vessels, and it may also prevent deposits of plaque that lead to arteriosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries". Besides lowering the blood pressure olive leaf have been reported to: enhance the immune system, increase energy, have an internal cleansing action, act as anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-parasitic, lower fats, and reduce blood sugar. Olive leaf extract is one of the ingredients of Blood Pressure Combo from Nepatica.