Cholesterol is a steroidal substance that the body produces to protect cell membranes. It travels through the blood and may build up to levels that can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Conventional treatment for high cholesterol may include statins, which block the liver from making cholesterol, but they can have painful and unpleasant side effects. Herbs have a long history of use against high cholesterol and may have fewer harmful effects. Consult a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis before starting herbal therapy for high cholesterol.
Ivy Gourd
Ivy gourd, or "Coccinia grandis", is a perennial vine with elongated red berries native to Asia and the Pacific Islands. The leaves and berries are edible, and all parts of the plant are used medicinally. Local healers use it to treat cataracts, gonorrhea, psoriasis, cystitis, constipation and high cholesterol. The plant has a long history of use in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for treating diabetes, bronchitis and skin diseases. Active ingredients include triterpenoids, carotenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and fatty acids, and the plant has antibacterial and hypoglycemic actions. A study by G. Singh and colleagues published in the December 2007 issue of "Phytomedicine" tested a leaf extract for its action on blood lipids in animals. The study found that the extract significantly lowered triglycerides and total cholesterol, and the active constituent is a polyprenol. Polyprenols are terpenoids that have potent antioxidant and anti-cholesterol actions. This study supports the traditional use of ivy gourd for high cholesterol. This plant may enhance the effects of insulin so diabetics should consult a health care professional before taking ivy gourd.
Seabuckthorn
Seabuckthorn, or "Hippophaea rhamnoides," is a thorny deciduous shrub that grows along the coasts of Europe and in semi-desert regions of Asia. Folk healers use seabuckthorn to treat coughs, indigestion, poor blood circulation, diarrhea, skin disorders and pain. The plant produces an edible berry that is rich in vitamins C and E, carotenoids, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, phytosterols and polyphenols. Seabuckthorn has a wide range of actions, including antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. In Indian Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, the berries are added to herbal formulas for lung, gastrointestinal, heart, blood and metabolic diseases. A study by M. Basu and colleagues published in the November 2007 issue of "Phytomedicine" tested the berry seed oil for its ability to prevent fatty deposits containing cholesterol from building up in the artery walls. The study found significant cholesterol-lowering activity, possibly due to the omega fatty acids, vitamin E, plant sterols and beta-carotene. Seabuckthorn should not be combined with farmorubicin, cisplatin or cyclophosphamide, and people undergoing chemotherapy should consult with their doctor before using this herb.
Blond Psyllium
Blond psyllium, or "Plantago ovata," is a small annual with a single spike of seeds that grows throughout South Asia and Northern Africa. Traditional healers use the seed husk to treat chronic constipation, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. The fibrous seed husk contains mucilage, which expands when water is added, absorbing toxins and pushing them through the intestines. A study by R. Sola and colleagues published in the August 2010 issue of "Atherosclerosis" compared the seed husks and placebos on 254 patients with mild to moderately high cholesterol in a double-blind, random trial. After eight weeks, the seed husk group had lower triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, than the placebo group. This study supports the traditional use of blond psyllium for treating high cholesterol. People who experience gastrointestinal discomfort, like nausea, gas or cramps, should discontinue using psyllium or consult a health care professional for advice.
References
- "Phytomedicine": Antidyslipidemic activity of polyprenol from Coccinia grandis in high-fat diet-fed hamster model.
- "Phytomedicine": Anti-atherogenic effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophaea rhamnoides) seed oil.
- "Atherosclerosis": Soluble fibre (Plantago ovata husk) reduces plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, oxidised LDL and systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolaemic patients: A randomised trial.
