Olive Leaf Extract for High Blood Pressure: the Evidence Grows!
It sounds impossible, but 22.6% of Canadian adults and nearly half of all Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure. Only 24% of Americans with high blood pressure have it under control. Here’s some safe, natural help that may come as a surprise.
Olive leaf extract, though much less known that the olive fruit, may be the really valuable part of the plant medicinally. Studies have shown, not only that it lowers high blood pressure (Eur J Nutr 2017;56(4):1421-1432), but that it lowers it as effectively as the drug captopril (Phytomed 2011;18:251-8).
Now the evidence for olive leaf extract has gotten stronger with the publication of a meta-analysis of 3 studies, including 248 people with hypertension or prehypertension.
The results confirmed that olive leaf extract lowers blood pressure. When the dose was 1000mg a day, olive leaf extract lowered systolic blood pressure by 11.45 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4.65 mmHg.
This is an important accomplishment for the herbal treatment, since a 10 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure can translate into a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events, including a 27% reduction in strokes, a 17% reduction in coronary heart disease and a 28% reduction in heart failure (Lancet. 2016;387(10022):957-967).
Phytotherapy Research. 2025;doi:10.1002/ptr.8509.
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For much more on preventing and treating high blood pressure, see our books The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia and Chocolate: Superfood of the Gods.
For comprehensive natural help with your health, including blood pressure, make an appointment to see Linda Woolven now. Linda’s clinic is now open for in person and virtual appointments.
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