Which herb has leaf and fruit as parts used and actions include antioxidant and antihypertensive?

• A. Podophyllum peltatum
• B. Lomatium dissectum
• C. Piscidia erythrina
• D. Olea europaea

Answer: (D)

Using more than one plant part opens the door to combining different properties that a single part might not provide alone. Some herbs are used both for their leaves and their fruits, and the actions can overlap, such as antioxidant effects and support for healthy blood pressure.

Olive, Olea europaea, fits this pattern. The leaves are rich in polyphenols like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, giving strong antioxidant activity and cardiovascular support, including benefits for blood pressure. The fruit (olives) and olive-derived products also contribute antioxidant capacity and cardiovascular protection, reinforcing the same theme. This combination of leaf and fruit usage with antioxidant and antihypertensive actions is characteristic of olive, distinguishing it from the other options, whose traditional uses rely on different plant parts (such as rhizomes, bark, or roots) rather than leaves and fruit.