If you don’t like the taste of green tea and want added health benefits, then olive leaf tea may be the perfect solution for you. As compared to black tea and coffee, green tea has significantly reduced caffeine content in it, and olive leaf tea is the zero caffeine solution for you. This olive leaf tea is made up of dried leaves and bark of an olive tree. Here at OneHowTo.com, we will tell you how to make olive leaf tea on your own.
Choosing the right olive leaves
Before you know how to make olive leaf tea, first of all you must understand what type of olive leaves you should look for. You should choose the Manzanillo or Mission olives that have not been treated with copper sulfate or other chemicals. Look for organic suppliers in your locality. Olive leaves should be dried at less than 150˚F to receive their full effect. If you have an olive tree in your own garden, you can make olive leaf tea on your own from scratch.
Making olive leaf tea from your own olive tree
If you have an olive tree in your own garden, you need to make sure that it is not treated with pesticides or any other chemicals. Pick the leaves that are fresh and do not have any blemishes. Try to pick them in the early afternoon, as any dew must have dried by this time. Dry these leaves in an oven at less than 150˚F. Don’t dry them in air or direct sunlight, as it may reduce their benefits by causing oxidative damage. Once the leaves have dried, crush them by hand, and remove any stalks. Store them in a paper packet and keep for use.
Boiling olive leaf tea to drink
Olive leaf tea is known for its pleasant taste, a little sweeter and less bitter than green tea. It appears golden or amber in color. Take one liter of water and put 30 gms of dried olive leaves in it. Keep boiling this solution until the water reduces to half. Taking two cups of this tea every day is extremely beneficial for your health. This tea takes a longer time to steep than regular tea, and you can drink it either hot or even iced. You may alter the quantity of the leaf as per your liking, or even blend it with some other herbs for more interesting flavors.
Benefits of drinking olive leaf tea
Olive leaf tea is beneficial in a wide range of health related problems, such as:
- Reducing blood pressure
- Regulating heart beat
- Boosting energy levels
- Reducing bad cholesterol
- Removing harmful chemicals and carcinogens from the body
- Treating tumors of breast, liver and prostate
- Stimulating the immune system
- Fighting germs and reducing fevers
- Fighting colds and flu
- Treating viral and yeast infections
- Treating allergies
- Reducing chronic fatigue
- Handling gout and rheumatism
- Preventing muscle spasms
- Preventing shingles
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