Olive Leaf Extract (Olea europaea): Traditional Use, Research & Oleuropein

Olive Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of Olea europaea, the olive tree traditionally cultivated across the Mediterranean region. While olive oil is widely known, olive leaves have a long history of use in traditional practices and have been extensively studied for their naturally occurring compound oleuropein.

This guide explains:

• What Olive Leaf Extract is
• How olive leaves have been traditionally used
• What modern research has studied
• Why oleuropein standardization matters

This content is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice.

What Is Olive Leaf Extract?

Olive Leaf Extract is produced from the dried leaves of Olea europaea. The leaves naturally contain:

• Oleuropein
• Polyphenols
• Flavonoids
• Secoiridoids

Among these, oleuropein is the primary compound measured and standardized in olive leaf extracts.

Traditional Use of Olive Leaves

In Mediterranean and traditional European practices, olive leaves have historically been used in preparations related to:

• General wellness traditions
• Seasonal wellness practices
• Botanical antioxidant traditions
• Traditional plant-based formulations

These historical uses contributed to increased scientific interest in olive leaf compounds.

What Modern Research Has Studied

Modern research has primarily focused on olive leaf extracts standardized for oleuropein.

Polyphenol & Oleuropein Research

A review in Phytotherapy Research examined olive leaf polyphenols, including oleuropein, and their biochemical properties.
Source: Omar (2010). Phytotherapy Research.

Antioxidant Research

Research published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry studied the antioxidant profile of olive leaf extracts under controlled laboratory conditions.
Source: Benavente-García et al. (2000). J Agric Food Chem.

Botanical Extract Studies

A review in Planta Medica discussed olive leaf extract composition and standardization methods.
Source: Pereira et al. (2007). Planta Medica.

These studies were conducted using standardized extracts, not retail dietary supplements.

Olive Leaf Extract & Oleuropein Standardization

Olive Leaf Extracts are commonly standardized to a specific percentage of oleuropein, such as 20%.

Standardization allows:

• Measurement of oleuropein content
• Batch-to-batch consistency
• Reliable comparison across studies
• 👉 View Olive Leaf Extract Powder 50% Saponins
• 👉 View Olive Leaf Extract Capsules

Why Standardization Matters

Most scientific research on olive leaf focuses on oleuropein-standardized extracts, not raw leaf material.

Standardization ensures:

• Consistent botanical composition
• Reliable extract quality
• Clear differentiation from non-standardized powders

Important Reminder

Scientific research studies botanical extracts under controlled conditions.
Retail dietary supplements are not evaluated in the same way.

Final Thoughts

Olive Leaf Extract (Olea europaea) remains one of the most researched Mediterranean botanicals. Standardized extracts with measured oleuropein content continue to be widely used in both traditional and modern botanical practices.

Compliance Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only.
It does not provide medical advice.
Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.