What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- "Plant Foods in Human Nutrition"; The Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Activity of the Lebanese Olea Europaea Extract; R. Fares, et al.; March 2011
- "Plant Foods in Human Nutrition"; The Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Activity of the Lebanese Olea Europaea Extract; R. Fares, et al.; March 2011
- "Food and Chemcal Toxicology"; Hydroxytyrosol Rich Extract from Olive Leaves Modulates Cell Cycle Progression in Mcf-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells; Z. Bouallagui, et al.; January 2011
- "Food and Chemcal Toxicology"; Hydroxytyrosol Rich Extract from Olive Leaves Modulates Cell Cycle Progression in Mcf-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells; Z. Bouallagui, et al.; January 2011
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Multiple Antimelanoma Potential of Dry Olive Leaf Extract; S.Mijatovic, et al.; April 2011
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Multiple Antimelanoma Potential of Dry Olive Leaf Extract; S.Mijatovic, et al.; April 2011
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Does Olive Leaf Extract Kill Cancer Cells?
Medicinal use of olive leaf extract goes as far back as the mid 1800s, when it was as used as a treatment for malaria 6. A variety of active compounds have been identified in olive leaf and scientific evidence of their usefulness as antimicrobial immune-boosting agents in the treatment of some forms of cancer shows promising results. Check with your doctor about using olive leaf extract to treat a medical condition 6.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Broad Spectrum Effects
Olive leaf extract improves your white blood cells' ability to kill cancer cells and carry them away to be eliminated from your body, according to Russel L. Blaylock, M.D., in his book, "Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients." Olive leaf has broad spectrum germ-killing ability, with ability to disable viruses, fungi and rickettsia -- bacteria that cause diseases carried by ticks, fleas and lice 16. This herbal remedy is safe and non-toxic, says Blaylock.
Immune Strenghtening
Herbal Remedies for Leukemia
Learn More
A component of the immune system known as T helper 1 cells is strengthened by olive leaf extract, says Michael J. Gonzalez, D.Sc., Ph.D., author of the book,"I Have Cancer: What Should I Do 26?: Your Orthomolecular Guide for Cancer Management." T cells fight viruses, bacteria and cancer 2. Olive leaf extract also helps your body to be more efficient at detoxification, decreasing your risk for developing cancer and taking the burden off an already stressed immune system, if you have cancer 6.
Leukemia
Researchers at the Department of Biology, University of Balamand, Lebanon, reported anti-leukemia effects of olive leaf extract in a study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "Plant Foods in Human Nutrition." In the tissue culture study, olive leaf extract inhibited leukemia by inducing apoptosis -- programmed cell death -- in the cancer cells 6.
Breast Cancer
Ground Clove Health Benefits
Learn More
Breast cancer may respond well to treatment with olive leaf extract, according to research published in the January 2011 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology." An extract from olive leaf, called hydroxytyrosol -- a polyphenol antioxidant compound -- arrested growth in a tissue culture of human breast cancer cells at an early stage in the growth cycle 46. Researchers are optimistic about the future uses of olive leaf extract as a cancer-preventive 6.
Skin Cancer
Olive leaf extract may offer protection against some forms of skin cancer, according to a study published in the April 2011 issue of the "International Journal of Cancer." In the tissue culture study, olive leaf extract showed strong anti-cancer activity against melanoma, an aggressive form of cancer that is resistant to immune and chemotherapy effects 56. Researchers caution that olive leaf extract used in combination with conventional cancer drugs resulted in both increased and, in some case, inhibitory effects of the drugs 6.
Related Articles
References
- "Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients"; Russell L. Blaylock; 2003
- "I Have Cancer: What Should I Do?: Your Orthomolecular Guide for Cancer ..."; Michael J Gonzalez; 2009
- "Plant Foods in Human Nutrition"; The Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Activity of the Lebanese Olea Europaea Extract; R. Fares, et al.; March 2011
- "Food and Chemcal Toxicology"; Hydroxytyrosol Rich Extract from Olive Leaves Modulates Cell Cycle Progression in Mcf-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells; Z. Bouallagui, et al.; January 2011
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Multiple Antimelanoma Potential of Dry Olive Leaf Extract; S.Mijatovic, et al.; April 2011
- "Olive Leaf Extract"; Morton Walker; 1997
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Olive leaf. Updated September 12, 2013.
- Wainstein J, Ganz T, Boaz M, et al. Olive leaf extract as a hypoglycemic agent in both human diabetic subjects and in rats. J Med Food. 2012;15(7):605-10. doi:10.1089/jmf.2011.0243
- Lockyer S, Rowland I, Spencer JPE, Yaqoob P, Stonehouse W. Impact of phenolic-rich olive leaf extract on blood pressure, plasma lipids and inflammatory markers: a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2017;56(4):1421-1432. doi:10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y
- Omar SH. Oleuropein in olive and its pharmacological effects. Sci Pharm. 2010;78(2):133-54. doi:10.3797/scipharm.0912-18
- Basch, EM, Ulbricht, C. Natural standard herb & supplement guide. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2016.
- RxList. Olive. Updated September 17, 2019.
- Loria, K. How to choose supplements wisely. Consumer Reports. October 30, 2019.
- Shen Y, Song SJ, Keum N, Park T. Olive leaf extract attenuates obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice by modulating the expression of molecules involved in adipogenesis and thermogenesis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:971890. doi:10.1155/2014/971890
- El SN, Karakaya S. Olive tree (Olea europaea) leaves: potential beneficial effects on human health. Nutr Rev. 2009 Nov;67(11):632-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00248.x.
- Omar SH. Oleuropein in olive and its pharmacological effects. Sci Pharm. 2010;78(2):133-54. doi: 10.3797/scipharm.0912-18.
- Vogel P, Kasper Machado I, Garavaglia J, et al. Polyphenols benefits of olive leaf (Olea europaea L) to human health. Nutr Hosp. 2014;31(3):1427-33. doi: 10.3305/nh.2015.31.3.8400.
Writer Bio
Tracey Roizman, DC is a writer and speaker on natural and preventive health care and a practicing chiropractor. She also holds a B.S. in nutritional biochemistry.