Olive leaf extract - a natural cure for a yeast infection or thrush

An abundance of scientific information is coming out with evidence of the healing power of plants.  Nature has already provided us with many compounds that fight cancer or protect us from harmful micro organisms.  These natural compounds are found in fruits, vegetables, leaves, stems, and roots.  They are called a variety of names such as polyphenols, flavonoids, pycnogenols, glucosinolates, isoprenoids, carotenoids, flavonols, tocotirenols, and proanthocyanadins. 

One such compound is oleuropein which is found in the olive leaf.  The olive leaf has a long history in the western world.  It is the first plant mentioned in the Bible, regarded as a symbol of heavenly power by the Egyptians, and has been used as a popular folk remedy for curing feavers.  It was even successfully used to cure fever and malaria about 150 years ago.  Daniel Hanbury who discovered the healing recipe conjectured that the healing powers of the olive leaf were due to a bitter substance in the leaves.  That substance is now called oleuropein which is produced naturally by the olive plant to fight insect and bacterial damage.  This substance is present in olive oil, and all olive products.  However, oleuropein is removed from olives when they are cured.

In the 1960s researchers discovered that oleuropein lowered blood pressure, increased blood flow in the coronary arteries, relieved arrhythmias, and prevented intestinal muscle spasms.  It was also discovered at this time that oleuropein is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial and an extremely strong antiviral.  Olive leaf extract can be used internally or applied topically to cure a yeast infection or thrush. 

Olive leaf extract is sold in caplet form and tinctures.  Since this is a bitter tasting compound, many people tend to prefer taking the extract in caplet form.  However, if you wish to use olive leaf extract as a topical application for thrush or a rash, you'll want to get a tincture. 


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