Herbal Cure for Cholesterol

The very name cholesterol has negative connotations today because it has become a major health risk for many. In reality every bit of cholesterol is not harmful for the body. A certain amount of it, and certain types of it, is required. Harmful cholesterol is LDL cholesterol and it is against it that people should guard themselves.

‘Prevention is better than cure,’ goes the dictum. The rule is all the more applicable in the case of cholesterol, for the main reason for cholesterol problem is today’s altered lifestyle of decreasing level of exercises and increasing level of appetite. By the very nature of the disease it is obvious that it is a type of problem that is amenable to herbal treatment. To prevent cholesterol, people can afford to make herbal nutrition a part of daily diet.

A high level of LDL cholesterol content in the body raises a person’s risk for a stroke or diabetes. There are prescription drugs in the market to control the problem but herbal remedies are equally effective in containing the problem. Especially when the problem is in the early stages, it responds well to herbal medicines, one of which is the easily available garlic.

Garlic: As found in the researches conducted at the Penn State University, garlic can bring down the body’s cholesterol content by 7%, and a 1% drop in cholesterol is equivalent to a 2% drop in the risk of getting heart problems. These studies secure the position of garlic as a pre-eminent herbal remedy in the treatment of cholesterol. Garlic is a natural herb that is not just an herbal medicine, but an important daily herbal supplement as well. Half a clove of garlic, or at the most one clove was found to be sufficient as a daily herbal supplement for positive results. Garlic can be eaten raw by those who can. For others, there are herbal supplements in the market that contain garlic. Though garlic is effective as an herbal remedy to contain cholesterol, it can negatively affect blood clotting so that at the slightest sign of skin bruising, a physician has to be consulted.

Psyllium: Psyllium is another herbal remedy to which cholesterol responds well. The herb is very effective as a cleanser of the intestinal tract. Known also as Ispaghula, it is obtained from the seeds of a group of plants collectively known as plantago or plantains. Results of the studies conducted at the University of Kentucky have established its effectiveness as an herbal cure for cholesterol. It is also an herbal remedy for type2 diabetes as it decreases the absorption of blood sugar. Like many herbal medicines, psyllium also works slowly, compared to prescription drugs, but that does not lessen its effectiveness as an herbal supplement and a lasting cure. Water intake should be high while taking psyllium.

Herbal Tea: It is the antioxidant properties of Herbal teas that make them an effective herbal remedy in lowering cholesterol. Making herbal tea part of the daily diet was found to decrease cholesterol by 6.5%. All types of herbal teas, which include black tea and brown tea, are helpful not only in lowering cholesterol, but also in reducing the risk of cancer and heart problems. Herbal teas are some of the most effective herbal remedies around.