Cholesterol is a substance in your blood necessary for proper digestion and hormone production. There are two types of cholesterol in your blood -- high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol. Though your body needs cholesterol to function properly, too much cholesterol can be harmful to your body and may cause heart disease. If you've discovered that you have high cholesterol and are seeking ways to reduce your cholesterol, you may be interested in herbal supplements intended to lower cholesterol.
Specific Herbs
According to the Healthwise Knowledgebase provided by the University of Michigan Health System, the most highly rated herbs used for lowering cholesterol based on clinical research are fenugreek, psyllium and red yeast rice. Fenugreek is a plant of Asian origin, often used in Asian cooking. The seeds of the fenugreek plant may be helpful in lowering blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Psyllium, specifically blond psyllium, is also used in food preparation as a thickener. The seeds and husks are used in herbal preparations intended to lower overall cholesterol and, more specifically, LDL cholesterol. It is the red yeast of red yeast rice that is purported to raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.
Benefits
Among the benefits of using herbal supplements to lower cholesterol is their availability without a prescription: You can purchase the supplements over the counter at many natural foods stores and at some drugstores. However, always consult your physician and pharmacist before taking any herbal supplement to ensure there are no conflicts with current medications or conditions. You may find comfort in the fact that the supplements are from natural rather than man-made sources. Some cholesterol lowering herbs can be used in cooking, which may be an easy way to incorporate them into your diet if you don't like taking pills.
Misconceptions
While many manufacturers of herbal supplements intended to lower cholesterol make that claim on their packaging, keep in mind there are wide variations in the make-up of each supplement. Clinical studies used for determining the effectiveness of the supplements normally use a very specific and measurable amount of the herbs tested, which may differ greatly from products available for general purchase, reports the University of Michigan Health System. You may think that because the supplements contain herbs, they are safe to take under any circumstances. However, many herbal supplements can interact poorly with each other or with medications and may have undesirable side effects, such as birth defects or organ damage, reports MedlinePlus.
Considerations
Research carefully before adding any herbal supplements to your diet to ensure you are taking an appropriate dosage for the intended purpose. Consult your doctor before adding any cholesterol lowering supplements to your diet, particularly if you are taking other medications or have other medical conditions. Pregnant women in particular should use caution with both red yeast rice and fenugreek. Red yeast may cause birth defects, according to MedlinePlus, and fenugreek may contribute to miscarriages.
Alternatives
Several prescription medications help lower cholesterol levels, and may be a safer choice because of strict federal regulations of prescription medications, along with the ability of your doctor to prescribe an amount of medicine appropriate for your needs. Dietary changes, such as increasing fiber and vegetable intakes and reducing intake of foods high in dietary cholesterol, can also help lower your cholesterol, reports the University of Michigan Health System.
