Fügen DURLU-ÖZKAYA and Mücahit Taha ÖZKAYA
Olive tree has been accepted as a symbol of holiness, abundance, wisdom and health, for centuries. Although its fruit is mainly used as a food after processing for table olive and olive oil, it is used for preparing medical products, cosmetic and animal feed. Olive trees have been cultivated for thousands of years, but the immune and circulatory benefits of olive leaf have only recently become fully realized. Olive leaf was first used medicinally in Ancient Egypt and was a symbol of heavenly power. There are many in vivo and in vitro researhes has been done on the effects of Oleuropein, one of the most important phenolic compound extracted from olive leaves, on health. The effects of the olive tree, accepted as an elixir of health and especially its product Oleuropein on human health and as an additive for animal feeds.