If we’re going to explore the native edible and medicinal plants of Israel, we can’t possibly miss out on the olive tree. Olives are a staple food all around the Mediterranean, and in recent years there’s been a lot of talk in mainstream press about how healthy olives and olive oils can be.
Olives have been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease, prevent colon cancer, and reduce the severity of asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There is evidence that olives may help to reduce the severity of hot flashes in some women experiencing menopause, too. Olives have monounsaturated fats which help protect you from high cholesterol and vitamin E which is a fat-soluble anti-oxidant.
For a great food which will help reduce your risk of winter colds, try adding a bowl of olives and garlic to your lunch or dinner table! The two together
You may not know that there is even more to the story of olives. Olive leaves can be used as a herbal medicine, as well.
Olive leaf extracts have been shown to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and induce natural insulin release. There have also been studies showing the olive leaf extract has an antimicrobial effect, and so it is used to fight infection. It is possible to take olive leaf extract either in tincture form, tea or simply in the form of crushed, dried leaves. In all cases, the flavor is pretty bitter. In fact, it is believed that the bitter flavor is caused by the very compound in the leaf that gives you all those wonderful benefits, oleuropein.
Olives have their place in Torah, too. In parashat Noah, a dove brings an olive branch to signify that it is safe to move out of the ark. From that we get the saying, “to extend an olive branch” which means extending a gesture or sign of peace. The oil used in the menorot in the Tabernacle and later in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was olive oil which was specially prepared for just that purpose. These are not the only references to olives, either. Olives are so important to the food and livelihood in Israel that olives are mentioned again and again in the Tanach and the Talmud as food crop, as source of holy oil, and as a metaphorical symbol.
For more information and references to articles in medical journals, see The Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s herbal reference on Olive Leaf
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