Olive ( Olea europaea)

Olive ( Olea europaea)

         Olive tree ( Olea europaea) is the name for the subtropical evergreen plants, olive tree family (Oleaceae) and fameous for olive oil. Olive tree develops, and is irregular, gnarled and branched. The leaves are oval and leather, while the color of leaves on the reverse dark green in color, while the bottom side of the leaf whiteish - silver color. When in bloom, olives develops white flowers in bunches and the fruit is oval-shaped dark green to black. The fruit is rich in oil, which are using Pastry pressure through various presses (hardening) or is removed using hot water or steam. The oil is used in food as a condiment, frying, seasoning food, and medical svrhe. Wood from olive tree is extremely well built, and very expensive furniture is made from it.

         It is believed that the olives are one of the oldest foods known to have originated from Crete. It soon spread to Egypt, Greece, Palestine and Asia Minor. The first documented use his medical data associated with the 1850th year, when it was used in the treatment of malaria and influenza. In recent times, its healing is confirmed. It was shown that olive leaf shows very good properties to fight infection and disease states of the organism.

Olive ( Olea europaea)

         Olive leaf contains many medicinal properties. The most active compound in olive leaves, who is mostly associated therapeutic effect is called oleuropein (the bitter monoterpene glucoside). It oleuropein and products of its hydrolytic degradation have extremely high antimicrobial activity. The important ingredients list with antimicrobial activity include even blend oluropezid and calcium enolate, often considered the most active ingredient list. On many of these compounds are still not known, although a lot of the same therapeutic properties are proven. Olive leaf can be achieved by improving the situation in a number of diseases caused by microbes - pneumonia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, influenza, meningitis, hepatitis B, herpes, etc. It is also good for urinary tract infections, but also in surgical infections. It has been shown that olive leaf also prevents infection caused by the action of fungi. Very long list of diseases that can be proven to be treated using preparations based on olive leaf. Of the approximately 125 species of pathological microorganisms that can not resist the action of compounds present in olive leaf.

Olive ( Olea europaea)

Olive Tree ( Olea europaea)

         Originally the fruit of olive has bitter taste and causes the glycoside oleuropein, which is located in the skin of the olives. So after picking the fruit must be processed. Method of processing raw olives depends on the type, place of cultivation, time of harvesting and the taste, texture and color that can be achieved. The color of the olives, which determines its final characteristics, influenced by different processing methods which undergoes olives, including fermentation and / or storage of oil, water, brine or salt. Besides olive changes color to black, purple, brown, red or yellow, these procedures and skin texture changes, which can be smooth and shiny or wrinkled. Apart from its size and shape, olives vary in taste, which can be a sour-bitter, spicy or sweet. Today it is more common to find in stores pitted olives, and those filled with cheese, peppers, capers and nuts.

          Olives and olive oil are a very good source of monounsaturated fatty acids and a good source of vitamin E. As many as 75% of total fat is oleic acid, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. Thanks to the stability of monounsaturated fatty acids, olive trees have a protective effect on cells, especially when combined with vitamin E. their interaction reduces the risk of damage to the cells and the formation of inflammatory processes. Vitamin E is the body's main antioxidant, soluble in fats, which captures and neutralizes free radicals in all areas of the body where there is fat. Free radicals cause damage that can lead to numerous diseases. So, for example, oxidized cholesterol, which then builds up in the arteries, and the result can be a heart attack or stroke. Preventing the oxidation of cholesterol, olives and prevent the development of heart disease.

Olives ( Olea europaea)

         In addition to monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, olives contain a number of active phytonutrients, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which also have anti-inflammatory properties. Their impact can reduce the symptoms of asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatism, three diseases for which the formation of free radicals are the biggest culprits. It has been shown that vitamin E in olives may even lessen the appearance of feeling the heat in postmenopausal women. Olives are very good for our health and we should at least most of the food prepared with olive oil, because it has a lot more good ingredients that are necessary to our body.

Olive Oil ( Olea europaea)