What it is and where it is found:
Olive leaf extract is taken from the olive tree, which thrives and grows abundantly in the coastal areas in north Iran, Asia Minor, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean region. Greeks have been using olives' various byproducts for thousands of years now. Olive oil may be a more popular product commercially but it is olive leaf that is used for medicinal purposes. As far back as 1927, olive leaf extract has been used in folk medicine to fight malaria.
Brief history:
Olive's medicinal properties goes way back to the 1800s where it was used as a potent malaria eliminator. But it was in the 1900s that olive leaf's therapeutic potential was recognized, particularly olives under the Oleuropein family.
An Italian scientist in 1962 studied the effectiveness of a bitter compound in olives called Oleuropein against high blood pressure in animals and found that it had significant reduction functions. Other studies validated these findings, consequently giving birth to worldwide interest in olive leaf's other possible medicinal uses.
It was eventually discovered that olive leaf's elenolic acid is the chemical responsible for its therapeutic abilities. When The Upjohn Companies tested calcium elenolate, the chemical found in elenolic acid, on human blood, in the 1960s, it was discovered that it has potent antiviral properties.
The process of manufacturing Olive leaf extract for distribution started in the 1990s; and, finally, in 1995, olive leaf extract as a supplement was made ready for commercial use.
Medicinal value:
Olive leaf extract has been found effective against the likes of tuberculosis, pneumonia, viral meningitis, gonorrhea, herpes, influenza, urinary tract infection, hepatitis B, shingles, surgical infections, Epstein-Barr and other kinds of microbial and bacterial illnesses. While it does not always guarantee total recovery from these ailments, olive leaf extract provides significant relief from the discomforts that come with them. Those suffering from Chronic Fatigue syndrome have also benefited from this compound.
In addition, olive leaf extract also helps calm the nerves. Because of its antiseptic astringent features, it is also helpful with certain kidney-related problems, increasing coronary flow, thwarting viral replication, and lowering blood pressure and fever.
The exact composition of olive leaf extract includes phenolic acids, flavonoids like glycosides, chrysoeriol, luteolin, and apigenin, triterpenoids (like uvaol and oleanolic acid), secoiridoids, and sterols.
Ear, nose, eye, and throat infections are also remedied by olive leaf extract; so do candida infections, colic, skin damange and wound healing, PMS, headaches, psoriasis and other yeast-infection related ailments.
Silica, also called silicon dioxide, is produced when exposed to air, particularly oxygen. The higher the temperature, the higher the volume of silicon dioxide produced from silicon.
A scientist named Dr. Samual Hahnemann was the first one to recognize the therapeutic potential of silica in the 19th century, but it was Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schubler who extended research into its exact healing components and abilities.
Its medicinal benefits include bringing back shine to dull hair, treating boils, cleaning out impure blood and stregthening weak nails. However, silicon dioxide is used mostly to make computer chips, wrist watches, sealants, and the like.
Magnesium stearate, which has a chemical formula of C36H70MgO4, is identified under room temperature conditions as a white salt substance that contains one part magnesium cation and two parts stearate. Though it is water insoluble and breaks down only at around 88C, it is generally not harmful to humans when consumed. This is why it is often used as a filler in the production and processing of medical capsules and tablets.
Magnesium stearate's lubricating properties prevents chemical powders from sticking to the processing equipment when medicine is made into solid tablets. It is also commonly found in baby powders, that's why we don't get these in solid form. Magnesium searate is normally derived from beef, but scientific experiments have recently found that certain vegetables can also be great sources.
Those who are taking magnesium stearate as a dietary supplement take it in specialized water-soluble gelatin capsules that are designed to break down immediately after swallowing. Initial patents of magnesium searate's capsule form is reportedly owned by J.C. Lehuby who made it in 1846.