Background & Olive industry in Palestine:
The Mediterranean area has always been home to the olive tree; Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Tunisia...etc. Not only does the tree abundantly exist in this area, but its crop; the olive has qualities not to be found in any other region around the world. This is where the olive tree comes from! And in the heart of that area, Palestine!
For thousands of years, Palestinians have been planting olive trees. It has been inherited generation after generation as a symbol of the very existence of Palestine, its culture, and heritage. Today in Palestine, stand fruit-bearing trees from the times of Jesus, the Empress Helena, Omar Ben Al-Khatab, Salah Eddin and Napoleon Bonaparte.
These ancient olive groves have provided livelihoods for generations; thus, this agro-industry continued for millenniums to be the focal point of many rural communities.
There are approximately 12 million olive trees in Palestine. They cover over 40% of the cultivated area of the West Bank, and make up around 45% of total plant production, 80% of all fruit trees. It produces around 25% of the gross agricultural income, contributing around 5% to the Palestinian GDP1.
Olive leaf extract:
Olive leaf (Olea europaea) was first recorded to have been used medicinally in Ancient Egypt. It is now however gaining recognition as a powerful defender against sickness, and numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the extract's beneficial properties. The reported benefits of olive leaf extract range from increasing body energy and healthy blood pressure, to supporting the cardiovascular system and the immune system. More recent knowledge of the olive leaf's medicinal properties dates back to the early 1800s when crushed leaves were used in a drink to lower fevers. A few decades later, green olive leaves were used in tea as a treatment for malaria.
From research and clinical experience to date, we can say that supplemental olive leaf is beneficial in the treatment for conditions caused by, or associated with, a virus, retrovirus, bacterium or protozoan. Among those treatable conditions are: influenza, the common cold, candida infections, meningitis, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), encephalitis, herpes I and II, human herpes virus 6 and 7, shingles (Herpes zoster), HIV/ARC/ AIDS, chronic fatigue, hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, malaria, dengue, severe diarrhea, and dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections.
Many people who live stressful lives or who may be particularly vulnerable to colds and viruses can benefit from long-term use of olive leaf as a preventive agent. Some patients have expressed other unexpected benefits of olive leaf, including improved psoriasis, normalization of heart beat irregularities, diminished cravings, less pain from hemorrhoids, toothaches and chronically achy joints.
In the early 1900s scientists isolated a bitter compound called Oleuropein from olive leaf that was thought to give the olive tree its disease resistance. In 1962 an Italian researcher recorded that Oleuropein had the ability to lower blood pressure in animals. It dilates the blood vessels so that blood may flow more easily throughout the system. Other European researchers validated that claim and also found it to increase blood flow in the coronary arteries, relieve arrhythmia and prevent intestinal muscle spasms. In later years , a Dutch researcher identified that a primary ingredient in Oleuropein called elenolic acid inhibited the growth of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Further European research determined this compound to have strong bactericidal, antiviral and antifungal capabilities.
Research suggests that olive leaf is a true anti-viral compound because it appears to selectively block an entire virus-specific system in the infected host. This appears to offer healing effects not addressed by pharmaceutical antibiotics. Olive leaf's broad killing power includes an ability to interfere with critical amino acid production for viruses; an ability to contain viral infection and/or spread by inactivating viruses by preventing virus shredding, budding or assembly at the cell membrane; the ability to directly penetrate infected cells and stop viral replication.
As an antioxidant, Olive leaf extract protects those blood vessels from damage, and has been shown to be effective in protecting the heart from coronary occlusion.
Olive oil gets its fair share of attention, and with good reason. It’s a rich source of antioxidants that helps protect against free radical damage and, in doing so, helps prevent numerous diseases like diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer’s.
Olive leaf, in particular, has been studied more and more over the years for its antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities, and for its ability to fight viral and yeast infections. Studies have shown that olive leaf extract can reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and lower blood pressure, making it an excellent heart-protective nutrient.
Palolea started the production of olive leaf extract started in Palestine in 2016. We gather our leaves directly from farmers during the season when the trees are pruned. Before the production of olive leaf extract, the leaves were thrown away and degraded. Now, Palolea purchases those leaves from farmers, giving them a significant additional source of income.