Herbal Remedies For Lowering Cholesterol

Apart from having a balanced diet and an active lifestyle, there are many herbal remedies that can help to keep your cholesterol in check. Most effective herbal remedies for cholesterol are:

Capsicum/ Bell Pepper: Known to contain compounds that help blood flow and to ease blood pressure and cholesterol.

Garlic: This pungent spice has long been known to contain natural cholesterol lowering properties.

It is the sulfur content in it that is known to lower bad cholesterol (Low density lipo-protein or LDL) and increase good cholesterol (High density Lipo-protien or HDL).

Alfalfa: Alfalfa seeds are known to contain saponins that help to prevent plaques that lead to heart attacks and lower cholesterol.

Psyllium: This is useful not only in keeping you regular by naturally bulking up the bowels, but also known to lower cholesterol particularly when taking in conjunction with oat bran.

Red Yeast Rice: In traditional societies, red yeast rice is a food and also has medicinal properties. Studies have shown significant lowering of cholesterol levels among those who took red rice yeast extracts.

LDL levels were seen to decline among those who took the supplement. For those who respond well to this treatment, it could be prescribed on a long term basis.

Fenugreek Seeds: Used on a regular basis in traditional cuisines such as Indian food, these contain alkaloids and protein high in lysine as well as L-tryptophan. This help by lowering the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol. It lowers the bad cholesterol in the blood but not the good cholesterol.

Butcher’s Broom: This quaintly named herb has natural anti-inflammatory properties which reinforce blood vessel walls, and helps to improve circulation to the different parts of the body. This herb can also help to guard against thrombosis, and to keep swelling in check.

Guggul: This is made out of gum, volatile oils and resin and is known to have the ability to lower triglyceride levels.

By raising levels of good cholesterol, this helps to prevent atherosclerosis, which is the formation of plaques in blood vessels which ultimately lead to heart attacks. Those with irritable bowel syndrome and liver disease need to be careful and avoid use however.

Licorice root: This helps to keep regular heart beat and rhythm as well as restore hormonal balance and detoxify the liver. The chemical compounds in the roots of the plants are known to combat high cholesterol.

Hawthorne Berry: This is known to contain bioflavonoids that are heart healthy. They dilate blood vessels, preventing angina and blood vessel degeneration. It helps to restore regular heart beat and normal blood pressure.