Olive and Hypertension

The leaves of the olive tree have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, and modern lab research suggests that olive leaf extracts have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. There is also evidence that the extracts have properties that could lower blood pressure.

The current study, published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, included 20 sets of identical twins with "borderline" hypertension -- blood pressure that is above the optimal level of 120/80, but below the cutoff of 140/90 used to diagnose high blood pressure.