High cholesterol is a condition that is not limited by race or credo. It affects 60 million Americans and many more millions around the world. Consequently, people find the topic of using herbs to lower cholesterol a highly interesting and important matter.
Let us have a look at 5 herbs that are useful in achieving and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. These herbs are used in many parts of the world. You can take the herbs by themselves, or use a combination of two or more regularly to lower your cholesterol.
1. Guggulipid or Commiphora Mukul - This herb, which comes from the Guggul tree, is aptly referred to as Guggul. It came to be known as Guggulipid - an extract of the Guggul resin that was promoted in the 1980s. It is known for lowering the triglyceride as well as the bad cholesterol (or LDL cholesterol) level. The herb's guggulsterone content is said to be responsible for ridding the body of cholesterol. Guggul is also known for being effective in lowering blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and insulin levels.
2. Cayenne pepper - Cayenne pepper is not just effective in making dishes taste better but can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It does this by hastening the processing and excretion of fat. Known for literally being a hot herb, cayenne pepper powder is sourced from the fruits of Capsicum frutescens and Capsicum baccatum which are dried and then pulped. It is more popular as a spice but it has also been used for thousands of years (and up to now) as an antiseptic, analgesic, diuretic and expectorant. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin (the chemical responsible for making the pepper hot), carotenoids and Vitamins E and C. Today, cayenne pepper is manufactured as ointments, capsules, creams, dried powders and oils for the treatment of toothache, high levels of cholesterol, heart disease and chronic pain.
3. Artichoke Leaf or Cynara scolymnus - The cholesterol lowering effect of artichoke leaf has been confirmed by research. The same study showed that a person can lower his cholesterol level by up to 18.5% by taking in 1,800 mg of this herb extract every day for no less than six weeks. The cybarin content of artichoke leaf is responsible for hastening the production of bile in the liver as well as in hastening the excretion of cholesterol through the feces. This herb also contains the antioxidant luteolin which is said to be responsible for lowering the bad cholesterol levels in the bdy. Doctors have been using medications containing cynarin since the early 1950s to help lower cholesterol levels in their patients.
4. Garlic - This herb provides a lot of medicinal applications, one of which is the lowering of bad (LDL levels) in the body. You can decrease your bad cholesterol level by as much as 15% if you take one clove of garlic daily. Garlic also has the ability to increase good (HDL) cholesterol levels while reducing blood pressure and triglyceride levels. In most parts of Europe, this herb has gained recognition and approval as a cure for high cholesterol.
5. Alfalfa - When it comes to fighting cholesterol, saponin power rules! Saponin is an effective agent against cholesterol. And with Alfalfa sprouts containing 55% more saponins than other plants, alfafa is an efficient cholesterol-lowering herb. Saponin works by combining itself with cholesterol, thereby preventing the body from absorbing it. Thus, alfalfa fights blood cholesterol by first lowering it directly and then by preventing more cholesterol from being absorbed by the gut. What's more, it is selective in its fight against cholesterol. It fights LDL (bad cholesterol) even as it promotes HDL (good cholesterol). When buying alfalfa extracts, try to ensure that the extracts come from the sprout and not the roots, as the roots have lower saponin content.
Cholesterol lowering herbs are not only effective but may also be safer to use than medications. It is however best to check any herb with your doctor first before taking it, to avoid unwanted health complications.
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