Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. They work either by blocking or inhibiting the production of cholesterol, or by enhancing the body's excretion of cholesterol. Statins can cause severe side effects like liver damage and muscle pain. Western herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine use herbs to control cholesterol; these herbal remedies may provide an alternative to statin drugs. It is important to consult a professional before beginning any herbal therapy and to be aware of potential herb-drug interactions.
Globe Artichoke
The globe artichoke, or Cynara scolymus, is a member of the thistle family native to the Mediterranean. Its primary use is as a food, but it is also used in herbal therapy since it contains cynarin, which has hypocholesterolemic actions. A study published in the April 2010 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" tested an extract of globe artichoke leaf on animals fed a high-cholesterol diet. The study found that the extract lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, also known as "bad" cholesterol. The researchers attribute the extract's cholesterol-lowering ability to its antioxidant actions, but further research is needed to see if globe artichoke extract will have the same effect in humans.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is a shrub in the nightshade family, and is native to South Asia. The root is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a rasayan, or rejuvenation herb, due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. A study published in the February 2007 issue of "Phytomedicine" was one of the first to test the hypocholesterolemic properties of ashwagandha powdered root, which contains fiber, plant sterols, polyphenols and flavonoids. The study found that test animals fed ashwagandha root had significantly lower cholesterol levels in their blood and liver tissues. The researchers attributed this effect to either the increase in liver bile acids, which aid in excreting cholesterol; the action of root fiber in increasing excretion of cholesterol; or the action of the plant sterols in reducing cholesterol absorption. The researchers also recognize that the polyphenols and flavonoids helped reduce free radicals and lower LDL levels. Further research is needed to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic effects of ashwagandha on humans.
Triphala
Triphala, meaning "three fruits," is an Ayurvedic formula that is used throughout India as a tonic to restore the body's balance and harmony. Triphala is made from the dried and powdered fruit of three deciduous trees: black myrobalan, or Terminalia chebula; belliric myrobalan, or Terminalia belerica; and Indian gooseberry, or Emblica officinalis. In Ayurvedic medicine, triphala treats a range of disorders, including poor appetite, indigestion, sluggish liver and excess fat. A study published in the February 2007 issue of "Yakugaku Zasshi: Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan" tested triphala and placebos on four groups of animals. The study found significant reductions in the triglycerides, LDL and very low density lipoprotein, or VLDL, in the triphala group. The researchers state that the lower cholesterol levels may be due to the reduced absorption of cholesterol, but they call for further studies to identify the exact mechanism of action.
References
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Artichoke leaf extract reduces oxidative stress and lipoprotein dyshomeostasis in rats fed on high cholesterol diet; Küskü-Kiraz Z, Mehmetçik G, Dogru-Abbasoglu S, Uysal M; April 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; Hypocholesteremic and antioxidant effects of Withania somnifera (Dunal) in hypercholesteremic rats; Visavadiya NP, Narasimhacharya AV; February 2007
- "Yakugaku Zasshi: Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan"; Hypolipidemic effect of triphala in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats; Saravanan S, Srikumar R, Manikandan S, Jeya Parthasarathy N, Sheela Devi R; February 2007
