How to prepare a tissane from olive leaves

Olive leaves are rich in oleuropein, a polyphenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and metabolism-regulating properties. It is a molecule produced by the olive tree as part of its own defence system and which, once consumed by humans, may offer a range of interesting physiological benefits.

The purifying capacity of the leaves supports the body’s natural processes of eliminating toxins, helping to maintain healthy liver and kidney function.

Oleuropein may also help keep blood vessels more supple and slightly dilated, allowing blood to circulate more freely. A gentle form of support that helps explain why olive leaves have been used for centuries as a natural aid in maintaining healthy blood pressure.

Some research suggests that oleuropein may support a more efficient response to insulin, helping to keep blood sugar levels more stable. This is not a pharmacological effect, but rather a physiological support that can form part of a balanced lifestyle.

The anti-inflammatory action comes from the ability of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol to counter free radicals, helping to reduce the oxidative stress that places a burden on cells and tissues. It is a useful form of support during periods of tiredness, stress or seasonal change.

Completing the picture is a gentle diuretic effect: the leaves encourage steady, delicate drainage, helping to reduce swelling and that familiar feeling of heaviness.

It is precisely because of these qualities that, over time, simple and everyday ways of using olive leaves have emerged. This rural Mediterranean tradition, offers a tangible way to transform something so often regarded as “waste” into an ingredient of real value.

How to make a Tissane of Olive Leaves

• 1 tablespoon dried olive leaves
• 250 ml water
• Honey (optional)

Bring the water to a boil, add the olive leaves and allow to simmer gently for 8–10 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse for a further 5 minutes.

The flavour is pleasantly bitter, characteristic of the leaves’ natural active compounds. Simple and immediate, this herbal tea is also a beautiful way to give a second life to the leaves collected during pruning — transforming what might otherwise be an agricultural by-product into a fragrant infusion and a small daily ritual of wellbeing.