According to Sudnik et al. (2009), "Most authors suggest that Elaeagnus angustifolia originated from the Irano-Turanian region.The species is widely distributed in south-west Asia.

The western limit of the species distribution is unclear; the natural character of the tree stands in the lower Volga region(Golub et al. 2002) and Anatolia (Brow ic z1996) is questioned."

Further east in Asia, the native range stretches into Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the nations of the Caucasus.

[1] The shrub possesses a high level of salinity tolerance [1][12] enabling it to grow on bare mineral substrates and poor, eroded soils and environments.

The species was introduced into North America by the late 19th century, and was both planted and spread through the consumption of its fruits (which seldom ripen in England),[14] by birds, which disperse the seeds.

[11] Russian olive is considered to be an invasive species in many places in the United States because it thrives on poor soil, has high seedling survival rates, matures in a few years, and out-competes the native vegetation.

It is widely grown across southern and central Europe as a drought and cold-resistant ornamental plant for its scented flowers, edible fruit,[7] attractive yellow foliage and black bark.

There is evidence supporting beneficial effects of aqueous extract of Persian olive in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis with an efficacy comparable to that of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.