The efficacy and function of Olea europaea[picture]

Only when we understand the main ingredients of any medicinal material can we better exert its efficacy and function. Here I recommend a very popular Chinese medicinal material, Olea europaea [picture].

[Source] Medicinal material source: It is the pulp oil of the olive tree of the Oleaceae family.

[Original form] Evergreen small tree, up to 10m high; bark is gray. The twigs are angular, densely covered with silvery-gray scales, and slightly flattened at the nodes. Leaves are simple and opposite; petioles are 2-5mm long, densely covered with silver-grey scales, and extend downward on both sides to form narrow ridges on the stem; leaf blades are leathery, lanceolate, sometimes oblong-elliptic or ovate, 1.5-6cm long, 0.5-1.5cm wide, with acute to acuminate apex, with a small convex tip, base gradually narrowed or cuneate, entire, leaf margins curled, dark green above, slightly covered with silver-grey scales, light green below, densely covered with silver-grey scales. The panicles are axillary or terminal, shorter than the leaves; the peduncle is covered with silvery-grey scales; the bracts are lanceolate or ovate, 0.5-2mm long; the flowers are fragrant, white, and bisexual; the calyx is cup-shaped, 1-1.5mm long, shallowly lobed or nearly truncate; the corolla is 3-4mm long, deeply divided almost to the base, the lobes are oblong, and the edges are involute; the filaments are flat, about 1mm long, and the anthers are ovate-triangular, 1.8-2mm long; the ovary is spherical, the style is short, and the stigma is capitate and 2-lobed. The fruit is oval, 1.6-2.5cm long and 1-2cm in diameter, and is blue-black when ripe. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is June-September.

[Habitat distribution] Cultivated in southern my country. It is native to Asia Minor and was later widely planted in the Mediterranean region.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : The volatile components of the oil include trans-2-hexenol, acetone, ethyl acetate, benzene, pentanal, toluene, hexanal, hexanol, 3-methylbutanol, acetic acid, etc. The fruit, peel and leaves contain elenolide, and the leaves contain oleanolic acid which has multiple physiological activities.

[Pharmacological action] 1. Protecting the liver and lowering enzymes: Subcutaneous injection of oleanolic acid into mice can significantly reduce the acute necrotic liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride, benzene, acetaminophen, furosemide, thioacetamide, phalloidin, colchicine, cadmium chloride, D-galactose and endotoxin, and reduce the increase of serum alanine aminotransferase and iduridine dehydrogenase caused by these liver toxins, but has no effect on the toxicity of chloroform, dimethylnitrosamine, amatoxin and allyl alcohol. Histological and histochemical observations of rat liver tissue found that after treatment with oleanolic acid, the accumulation of triglycerides (triglycerides) in the liver of rats poisoned by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was reduced, liver cell degeneration and necrosis were significantly alleviated, interstitial inflammatory response was alleviated, glycogen accumulation was increased, RNA particles in the cytoplasm were restored, and the serum alpha-fetoprotein detection rate was increased. Observation under electron microscope showed that mitochondria were swollen and rough endoplasmic reticulum vesicles basically returned to normal. The results showed that oleanolic acid has a significant protective effect on acute and chronic liver damage caused by CCl4, can accelerate the repair of necrotic tissue, and promote liver cell regeneration; it has a non-specific inhibitory effect on inflammatory response; it inhibits the proliferation of collagen fibers and can prevent the occurrence of experimental cirrhosis. Oleanolic acid is considered to be a promising new drug for treating chronic active hepatitis and preventing cirrhosis.

【Toxicity】 Oleanolic acid has low toxicity. No obvious toxic reaction was observed in the clinical use of oleanolic acid. Routine blood tests, urine tests, stool tests and electrocardiogram tests in a few cases were performed during the medication period, and no abnormal changes were found. Some patients may experience slight upper abdominal discomfort in the early stages of using the eye drops or when taking them on an empty stomach, which usually disappears after symptomatic treatment. In the acute toxicity experiment, oleanolic acid suspension 2g/kg was injected subcutaneously and orally to mice, and the mice were observed for 5 consecutive days. No poisoning or death was observed, and the mice were in good health. In the subacute toxicity experiment, rats were gavaged with oleanolic acid 180 mg/kg once a day for 10 consecutive days. On the 11th day, the rats were decapitated and the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, thyroid, testicles, stomach, small intestine (4-5 cm below the stomach), bladder and other organs were examined under a microscope, and no obvious damage was found.

【Nature and flavor】 Slightly bitter; neutral

【Functions and indications】Moisturizes the intestines and promotes bowel movements; detoxifies and heals sores. It is used for constipation due to dry intestines, burns caused by water or fire, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, coronary heart disease, etc.

【Usage and Dosage】 For external use: appropriate amount, for enema or application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the above introduction, let us understand the relevant knowledge of Olea europaea [picture]. If we can give full play to the efficacy of Olea europaea [picture], it can help us solve some physical diseases. Therefore, many people regard it as a choice for their own health care.