Plant name: Olea europea - Olive tree

Botanical Description: Olive trees are classified as “evergreen”, but are quite unlike pines, junipers or other needle-bearing tress one commonly considers in that genera. The wood of the Olive is very pale and green, with thin and thornless branches. The leaves are two-tone, being dark green on top and more towards the grey side underneath and of an oblong or lanceolate shape (~2 inches long.) Flowers are off white, numerous and fragrant. Flowers are followed by dark purple (nearly black) fruits the size (and somewhat shape) of a thumb. Look for the messy purple stains on the sidewalk.

Taxonomy: Oleaceae family

Ethnobotany: Historically, medicinal use of olive leaf has been for treatment of fevers and for the topical treatment of wounds or infection. As a poultice, it was also used to treat skin rashes and boils. In the native peoples of current day Ethiopia, a water suspension of the crushed bark is used to combat malaria.

Plant Herstory: This plant has been a part of western civilization at least since the first Olympic games in Greece, where the victor was crowned with Olive leaves. The oil is mentioned in the original texts of the bible for it’s many uses, but oddly enough never as a food. The Maasai have traditionally used the beautiful wood to carve ceremonial objects or to use as trade.

Cultivation: This native tree of the Mediterranean region is widely cultivated worldwide in tropical areas and warm-climate areas. Phoenix enjoys (?) widespread distribution of this plant in landscaping and city-sponsored beautification projects.

Wildcrafting Information: I would suggest using extreme caution when harvesting any part of this tree for internal use. Many cities, nurseries and private citizens spray Olive trees with chemicals to control pollination. This practice is considered both normal and safe, but the following information gives me pause.

There are two chemical spray methods used to control olive fruiting. One, fruit control is accomplished via use of Olive Stop, an auxin-derivative compound that is applied at the time of flower budding to abscise flowers and subsequent fruit before they develop. Application timing is critical for effective control. Two, anti-gibberellin growth retardants which act to slow or stop growth depending on the application concentration, that are sprayed onto the tree before flowering to prevent flower development. Embark and Maintain are brand name examples of current anti-gibberellin growth retardants that are used by local professional maintenance companies. Application timing with this method is less critical, therefore it is often preferred. However, long-term effects of an annual use of anti-gibberellin growth retardants as a strategy to stop flowering will eventually cause a decline in tree vigor, increased sensitivity to environmental stress, and eventual death. (ASU Life Sciences Dept.)

I’m pretty sure that means I don’t want to eat it.

Collecting: Since the tree constantly is in leaf, the leaves are easily collected at any time, dried either on the stem in bundles or in flats.

Preparation Methods: A decoction of the dried leaves for internal uses. Let me know if you know of a good method for preparing fresh Olive oil, an excellent base for oils, lotions and salves.

Pharmacology: Secoiridoids: oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol. Flavonoids: hesperidin, rutin, apigenin, apigenin-4'-O-rhamnosylglucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, luteolin, luteolin-4'-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol, chrysoeriol, and chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside.

Actions: Anti-complementary, anti-microbial, antioxidant, hypocholesterolaemic, hypoglycaemic, hypoinsulinaemic, hypotensive, hypouricaemic, vasodilator.

Indications: Diabetes, diarrhea, edema, gastrointestinal colic, hemorrhoids, herpes, high blood pressure (hypertension), intestinal disease, respiratory tract infections, stomach disease, urinary tract infection

Side-effects: Olive leaf can be irritating to the stomach lining and should be taken with meals.

Contraindications: 2B, 2C

Administration and Duration of Use: The amount of olive leaf is not well established for human use. To make a tea, steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves in 1 cup of hot water for 10–15 minutes.

Regulatory Status: Unknown at the time of writing.