More Than a Peace Offering...
In honor of the Easter holiday and Passover season, it felt most fitting to give homage to the universal sign of peace, the olive branch.
Not only does the olive branch have biblical references but the leaves and olives have been used for thousands of years in ancient cultures to remedy numerous illnesses and conditions.
The medicinal value you can get by consuming olives you can also achieve by using olive leaves. Olive leaves are wonderful to make teas and extracts but if you live in the Midwest or any northern part of the world, olive trees are non-existent and for most ordering the olive leaves online is your only option. If you are fortunate to have an olive tree be sure to save the leaves.
The benefits of the olive branch leaves are:
√ Immune Support- The leaves of the olive tree contain high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, which makes it an anti-fungal and antibacterial. This boost the immune system and helps fight off infections.
√ Cardiovascular Health- Olive branch leaves have been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation in cardiovascular tissues.
√ Anti-Cancer Properties- The polyphenols in Olive leaves contain compounds that have anti-cancer properties that help fight cancerous cells and inhibit the growth of tumors.
√ Anti- Inflammatory Properties- Both olive leaves and olive oil have strong anti-inflammatory compounds called Oleic acid and Oleocanthal both of these reduce the body of inflammation and alleviate pain caused by inflammation.
~Tea Time~ Lavender Lemon Olive Leaf Tea:
1 nonbleach tea bag
1 TBSP Olive leaves (cut) or 4-6 Whole leaves
1 TBSP Dried Lavender Flowers
1/2 of a Lemon juice
Honey to taste optional
8oz of boiled filtered water
Place herbs in the non-bleached tea bag and pour hot filtered water over them. Add the juice from half a lemon and let steep for 8 minutes. When cool add honey to taste and enjoy each sip to wellness.
Fortunately in our modern time, Extra Virgin Olive Oil or EVOO is accessible almost anywhere in the world. Just like the olives and the olive branch leaves,
Extra virgin olive oil is dense in health benefits such as:
√ Heart Health- EVOO is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of heart disease. EVOO reduces bad cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and prevents blood clots and strokes.
√ Skin Health- EVOO is very moisturizing and hydrates the skin. it is high in vitamin E, a powerful anti-aging antioxidant that protects the skin and promotes healthy skin cells
√ Digestive Health- EVOO is an anti-fungal. It can rid the digestive tract of candida bacteria, reduces inflammation in the gut, and alleviates constipation.
√ Improves Mood- Studies have shown EVOO can be linked to reducing the risk of depression.
√ Improves Brain Function- EVOO can improve cognitive function and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's. A study showed that consuming olive oil daily significantly improved memory and brain cell growth.
√ Weight Loss- Consuming EVOO is effective against type 2 diabetes and has shown that those who follow a Mediterranean diet which is olive oil-based not only lost weight, but kept it off and even lived longer.
~ The Remedy ~
- All you need to reap these amazing benefits is every morning on an empty stomach take 1.5 Tablespoons of Extra virgin olive oil.
- Additionally you can substitute all your cooking oils and butters with Extra virgin olive oil for example: *Trade out the mayo for extra virgin olive oil in tuna and chicken salads.
*Fry eggs, meat, and veggies with Extra virgin olive oil instead of butter or vegetable oil.
*If you are feeling extra committed you can use it to bake cakes and cookies replacing butter or vegetable oil in the recipe.
* One of my favorite EVOO breakfasts is to drizzle olive oil and honey into my oatmeal with fresh organic berries and a dollop of Greek yogurt sprinkled with almond slices or crushed pecans or walnuts.
In conclusion, extra virgin olive oil and olive branch leaves have amazing health benefits, and incorporating olive leaves and extra virgin olive oil into your diet can help you harness the many health benefits it has to offer. Rember it is always good practice to consult with a master herbalist or medical practitioner before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Follow me for next week's post where I tell you how to spot the difference between fake olive oil and real olive oil so you are not wasting your money and maximizing the most benefits from it.
-Happy Healing From Hooser Health
