Olive | A medicinal plant in the Akhdar encyclopedia

Plant name

olives

Latin name

European Olea L

Common names

olives

foreign names

Eng. Olive, Fr. Olivier

The group

Olive

Habitat and Geographic Distribution

Mediterranean countries, where it was mostly cultivated, and from there it spread to many countries on the five continents where similar climates are available.

Botanical description

Brown, smooth in texture.

The stem is zigzagging, highly branched, and grayish.

It is a tree or shrub, evergreen, with young branches that split as the tree ages.

The leaves are simple, opposite, entire, leathery, squamous, oblong to uterine, glossy green on the upper surface, and silvery with dense scales on the underside.

The inflorescence is a raceme with fused petals, semi-writic, and white with fused sepals.

The corolla is axillary.

The flowers are small and hermaphroditic.

The calyx is cream-colored.

The male flowers have two stamens with squamous filaments and large anthers.

The female flowers have two carpels.

The ovary is solitary.

The fruit is a drupe, ellipsoid, dissected or tapering towards both ends, green when young, then blackening when ripe. Flowering occurs from April to May.

Used part

The leaves, flowers, and fatty oil extracted from the fruits

chemical components

The leaves contain terpene compounds, including oleuropein, cinchonidin, cinchonin, flavonoids, and alkaloids such as cinchoni.

The fatty oil contains mono-, di-, and triglycerides, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, triterpene alcohols, sterols, tocopherols, phospholipids, carotenoids, phytins, bitter substances, secoiridoids, phenols, naphthalene, phennartin, and terpenoidal alcohols.

Properties and medical uses

The leaves have properties that lower triglycerides and blood sugar, and are antifungal.

A decoction of the leaves is popularly used to treat high blood pressure, sclerosis, gout, rheumatism, diabetes, and fever.

It is also used as a diuretic.

The oil helps strengthen and stimulate the liver, aids in the treatment of fatty liver disease, and prevents colon cancer.

It reduces the risk of breast cancer and has a laxative effect in cases of constipation.

Olive oil is used topically to soothe inflamed skin and soften scales caused by eczema and psoriasis. Applying olive oil to the head for several hours helps eliminate lice.

Side effects and precautions

Olive oil is not prescribed for those suffering from gallstones for fear of causing them colic.

the environment

The olive tree is known for its resilience to harsh environmental conditions.

The Mediterranean basin is considered one of the best regions for olive cultivation, characterized by cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

Exposure to high temperatures, dry winds, and low humidity during flowering, fruit set, and the early stages of fruit development leads to flower drying, incomplete pollination and fertilization, and significant fruit drop.

Avoiding water stress during these periods mitigates these harmful effects.

Olives can be grown in various soil types, provided they have good drainage.

They also thrive in calcareous soils, but their growth is negatively impacted in heavy, poorly drained soils. The tree possesses the ability to tolerate drought and soil salinity.

Agriculture and productivity

Olives are propagated vegetatively, as planting olive seeds does not produce plants identical to the variety.

Therefore, vegetative propagation of desirable commercial varieties is the optimal method for producing seedlings, whether by grafting onto seedling or vegetative rootstocks, using various types of cuttings, or suckers separated from trees growing on their roots.

Care must be taken to ensure that the cuttings are free from diseases and pests and are taken from certified, high-yielding mother trees.

Olive trees are drought-tolerant, and their irrigation needs vary depending on the variety, weather conditions, tree age, growth stage, irrigation system, and water scarcity.

Pruning is one of the most important maintenance practices affecting production and is usually carried out after harvest, from December to January.

In rainfed areas, pruning is postponed until after the heaviest rainfall, where it is light to moderate when rainfall is plentiful and severe when it is scarce.

Applying light and chemical fertilizers appropriately and at the right time makes the trees stronger, more resistant to environmental factors, and increases their yield.

The tree begins to bear fruit in its second year.

Olives are pressed to extract their oil, which is then used to make olive oil soap.

Olive wood is excellent, with a honey-brown color, and is rich in preservatives that prevent it from rotting and becoming brittle.

History and Heritage

The genus name originates from the colloquial word europaea, with the same meaning, and the Greek elaï(f)a, meaning European, referring to the tree's widespread presence there.

The olive is an oil-producing fruit tree, both wild and cultivated, known since ancient times in the Mediterranean region.

Its fruit has been used as food and medicine for a long time.

The Phoenicians, then the Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians, developed the cultivation of this tree, and it is said that it has been present in the Mediterranean region since ancient times.

The olive tree held a high place among the Greeks, who mentioned it in their poetry.

Many tablets were discovered in the kingdom of Ebal that refer to olive oil, and it was presented as a gift to kings and athletic champions.

The olive tree is called the blessed tree and is mentioned in all holy books.

The Holy Quran refers to the importance of the olive tree and its oil in several verses, describing it as blessed, meaning abundant in yield and benefit.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged his companions and all Muslims to consume olive oil.

It is also mentioned in the Bible through the mention of the holy Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ recited his prayers.

This tree remains significant in many cultures as a symbol of peace, wisdom, and strength.

Medical note

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Poisonous or potent plants should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician or pharmacist.

تنبيه صحي

هذه المعلومات للتثقيف ولا تمثل وصفة علاجية.

استشر طبيباً أو صيدلانياً قبل استخدام أي نبات طبي، خاصة أثناء الحمل أو الرضاعة أو عند تناول أدوية مزمنة.

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