- December 2011

Olive Leaf - 'For the Healing of the Nations'

Olive Leaf Extract is a very potent broad spectrum natural antimicrobial that has been used since ancient times to promote health and control infection. Olive trees (and their fruit and leaves) have long been a mainstay of Mediterranean culture, both as a healthy food source and a powerful medicine.

The Greek physician Hippocrates, also known as the 'Father of Medicine,' prescribed olive oil to treat muscular pains, ulcers, and cholera. The winners of the original Greek Olympics were crowned with a wreath of olive leaves as their reward. Over the ages, there have been numerous medicinal uses for olive oil.

The Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract

The therapeutic benefits of olive leaf extract are attributed to its bioactive compounds called oleuropeins. In the late 1960's, Upjohn was able to isolate ilinolic acid (an isolate of oleuropein) and found that it was so powerful that it stopped every virus that it was tested against including the common cold in humans.

The antibacterial action of oleuropeins is thought to stem from their ability to dissolve pathogen cell membranes and disrupt critical amino acid production, which interferes with their ability to replicate and prevents them from spreading.

Heart Healthy Too

In addition to their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, oleuropeins have been shown to promote relaxation of arterial walls, thereby reducing hypertension. Furthermore, a study from the University of Milan found that oleuropein inhibited oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, the 'bad cholesterol' that is reportedly involved in the formation of various types of heart disease.

Research also suggests that Olive Leaf Extract is a potent fighter against disease. In fact, the herb is highly prized by many natural medicine experts for its ability to boost a weakened immune system. As such, olive leave extract is thought to be effective in helping the body to routinely combat numerous pathogens as well as help restore a flagging immune system.

In fact, physicians have reported that chronic fatigue and fibromylagia sufferers are often helped by olive leaf extract. People with these conditions have reported that Olive Leaf Extract boosted their energy, lifted their sprits, and provided them with a stronger sense of well-being within one month of taking olive leaf extract supplements.

Olive Leaf Extract has antioxidant properties that help protect the body from the continuous onslaught of free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are highly reactive chemical substances that can cause cellular damage within the body if left unchecked.

Looking For a Good Tax Deduction?

Times are tough, but some are actually thriving in this economy. If you have been blessed financially this year and you are looking at ways to reduce your tax burden for this year, I would like to bring to your attention two worthy tax deductible causes to consider:

1. Mount Zion Baptist Church Youth Mission Trip - The youth from our church are heading to the Dominican Republic in July to share the gospel and minister to the needs of the least fortunate there. They are working in conjunction with Score International (scoreinternational.org) and will be there in the first week of July.

If you would like to support their efforts, make your tax deductible contribution to Mount Zion Baptist Church, and label your check for the Dominican Republic Youth Mission Trip.

You can send your contribution care of Logos or send it directly to:

Attn: Jahn Burgstiner
Mount Zion Baptist Church
1525 Scenic Hwy
Snellville, GA 30078

Any questions you may have may be directed to the Youth Pastor at Mount Zion, Pastor Jody Shelton (jody@mountzionstudents.com).

2. He Cures All Foundation - This is a Non-Profit Organization (501-C # 45-3980159) whose work I am very familiar with because I have witnessed firsthand the impact they are having in the lives of people who are dealing with the horror of Morgellons Disease.

These dear people are literally going through Hell on earth with physical symptoms that resemble those of Job (skin lesions, multiple infections and infestations, itching, biting and crawling sensations all over their body 24/7).

If you are interested in learning more, look HERE. I can put you directly in touch with its Founder, Mel Friedman as well if you have any questions.