Medicinal Uses of Olive (Olea europaea)

Oleaceae family

I started this post with the intent of focusing on the medicinal uses of olive oil alone.  I’d forgotten that the olive leaf is also quite medicinal.  Unfortunately, it grows best in USDA zone 8 and warmer climates, most definitely not anywhere near me.  There are a few varieties hardy to zone 7.  I’ve seen the seedlings for sale in northern Nevada nurseries over the past year or so; perhaps people are growing them in greenhouses or bringing them inside for the winter.  Of course, you can always order the leaf online.  Until you can’t.

HARVEST

The leaves are picked throughout the year, while the fruit is harvested in late summer.[1]  While some sources suggest the leaves are of much greater value medicinally,[2] it’s hard for the leaves to compete against the benefits extra virgin olive oil provides to those in the early stages of cognitive decline and for others hoping to avoid memory issues altogether.

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

• Antiatherogenic
• Leaf[3]
• Anticancer
• Leaf[4]
• Anti-inflammatory[5]
• Leaf[6]
• Antimicrobial[7] [8]
• Leaf[9]
• Antipyretic[10]
• Antiseptic[11]
• Leaf[12]
• Antiviral[13]
• Astringent[14]
• Leaf[15]
• Cholagogue
• Oil[16], 1-2 teaspoons per dose[17]
• Demulcent
• Oil[18]
• Emollient[19]
• Oil[20]
• Febrifuge
• Decoction
• Leaf or inner bark[21]
• Hypotensive[22] [23]
• Laxative[24]
• Oil[25]
• Tranquilizer
• Infusion
• Leaf[26]

PREPARATIONS

Capsule.  500-1000 mg, 2x per day with food[27]

Decoction.  Boil 2 handfuls leaves or bark in 32 ounces water, reducing until 1 cup liquid remains. [28]

Infusion.  Steep 1-2 teaspoons of leaves in 1 cup water for 10 minutes, 1-4x per day[29] [30]

Tincture.  Dried leaf (1:5, 60% alcohol), 2-3 ml, 3x per day[31]

USAGE

• Cardiovascular
• Angina
• Leaf[32]
• Hypertension[33]
• Leaf[34] [35]
• Endocrine
• Blood glucose levels
• 2 teaspoons oil with each meal[36]
• Gastrointestinal
• Constipation
• Oil[37], 1-2 ounces[38]
• Ulcers, peptic
• Oil[39]
• Hepatic
• Lower cholesterol[40]
• Oil[41]
• Gallstones
• Oil, combined with lemon juice[42]
• Musculoskeletal
• Sprains
• Oil, externally[43]
• Neurological
• Alzheimer’s
• Oil[44] [45]
• Encephalitis
• Oil[46]
• Respiratory
• Common cold
• Leaf[47]
• Influenza[48]
• Infusion[49]
• Leaf[50] [51]
• Oil[52]
• Skin
• Abrasions
• Leaf[53]
• Bruises
• Oil, externally[54]
• Burns
• Oil, externally[55]
• Cradle cap
• Oil[56]
• Dandruff
• Oil[57] [58]
• Dry skin
• Oil[59]
• Excess ear wax
• Oil[60]
• Insect bites
• Oil, externally[61]
• Itching
• Oil, externally[62]
• Wound antiseptic
• Leaf[63]

---

[1] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[2] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[3] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[4] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[5] JF Millman, et al., Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health, Nutr Rev, 10 November 2021, Vol 79 No 12, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8581649/ (accessed 17 December 2025).

[6] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[7] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 350.

[8] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[9] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[10] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[11] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[12] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[13] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[14] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[15] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[16] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[17] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[18] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[19] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[20] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[21] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[22] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[23] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[24] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[25] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[26] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[27] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[28] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[29] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[30] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[31] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[32] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[33] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[34] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[35] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[36] JF Millman, et al., Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health, Nutr Rev, 10 November 2021, Vol 79 No 12, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8581649/ (accessed 17 December 2025).

[37] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[38] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[39] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[40] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[41] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[42] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 274.

[43] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[44] A Kaddoumi, et al., Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Enhances the Blood-Brain Barrier Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Nutrients, 1 December 2022, Vol 14 No 23, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9736478/ (accessed 17 December 2025).

[45] JF Millman, et al., Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health, Nutr Rev, 10 November 2021, Vol 79 No 12, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8581649/ (accessed 17 December 2025).

[46] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 84.

[47] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[48] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 43.

[49] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[50] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 51.

[51] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[52] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 51.

[53] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[54] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[55] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[56] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[57] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 319.

[58] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[59] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[60] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.

[61] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[62] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 290.

[63] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 121.