For instance, cholesterol is a crucial component of cell membranes that helps balance fluidity and permeability. It is also a necessary component for the production of different hormones and the fat-soluble vitamin E.
The cholesterol that spreads throughout your body via your blood comes either from the food that you eat or your liver. While the liver normally only produces enough cholesterol, genetics and an unhealthy lifestyle can cause your liver to produce more.
This is when cholesterol becomes bad, as having too much of it in your blood can clog your blood vessels, stifling the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your heart and brain. This could eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Because of the detrimental effects of having high blood cholesterol, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels has become a necessity for good overall health, especially that of your heart and brain.
Aside from avoiding unhealthy foods, you can maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels by taking herbal supplements. Some potent herbs used in traditional medicine have been found to possess powerful cholesterol-lowering properties.
7 Herbs that can help lower your blood cholesterol
The cholesterol produced by your liver is carried to and from cells by round particles made of fats and proteins. These cholesterol transporters, known as lipoproteins, exist in two forms: low-density and high-density.
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Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is often called "bad cholesterol" because it contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries – the main cause of atherosclerosis.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, on the other hand, is called "good cholesterol" because it transports LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down prior to being excreted from the body. This is why HDL is said to protect against heart attack and stroke.
Fortunately for people who wish to control their blood cholesterol through natural means, there are powerful herbs with beneficial components that can help lower LDL cholesterol or total cholesterol levels. Here are seven of them:
Artichoke
People may consume artichoke as part of a nutritious diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Several studies over the years have looked at how artichoke affects cholesterol levels.
A meta-analysis published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition reported that artichoke leaf extract can help reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The researchers found that supplementing with artichoke leaf extract benefits people with high blood cholesterol who are undergoing lipid-lowering therapy.
Fenugreek
Like artichoke, studies have found that supplementing with fenugreek also helps lower blood cholesterol levels. (Related: Naturally manage your blood cholesterol with fenugreek seeds.)
According to a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials exploring the effects of fenugreek on lipid profile components (i.e., total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides), taking fenugreek supplements significantly reduced total blood cholesterol and LDL levels in people with diabetes while increasing HDL. This suggests that supplementing with fenugreek can help improve the lipid profile of diabetics.
Ginger
Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for various ailments, such as colds, arthritis, nausea, migraines and hypertension. Recent studies show that this potent herb can also support heart health by lowering blood cholesterol levels.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Phytomedicine, researchers looked at 12 clinical trials to assess the effects of ginger supplementation on the lipid profile of adults. They found that consuming as little as two grams of ginger a day can help reduce total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Ginger can be consumed in supplement form or added to your meals.
Holy basil
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, is a slightly spicy, bitter herb that you can eat raw or add to your recipes.
According to a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, consuming at least one gram of tulsi a day has a favorable effect on fasting blood glucose levels. Tulsi can also help lower total cholesterol, LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels in older adults with metabolic disease. Like LDL, VLDL is also considered a type of bad cholesterol because it causes plaque buildup in excess.
Rosemary
The aromatic herb rosemary, widely celebrated for its potent antioxidant properties, has also been shown to help lower blood cholesterol levels.
In a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers investigated the benefits of supplementing with rosemary by giving three groups of adults either two, five or 10 grams of powdered rosemary leaves a day for four weeks. They reported that rosemary not only helped lower the participants' blood sugar levels, but it also decreased their total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly. (Related: Rosemary, known as a sacred plant in ancient Greece, found to possess anticancer properties.)
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most extensively studied medicinal herbs on the planet and is known for its many health-supporting properties. Turmeric's benefits are often attributed to curcumin, its most active component, which boasts high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering activities.
According to a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, curcumin in turmeric can protect individuals who are at risk of cardiovascular disease by improving their serum lipid levels – i.e., by lowering their total cholesterol and LDL levels. Turmeric and curcumin are also well-tolerated and did not cause any serious adverse events across seven studies that involved 649 patients.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a popular herb used in European folk medicine. It is especially rich in flavonoids that have been shown to improve digestion and relieve stomach and menstrual cramps by helping relax smooth muscles in the intestine and uterus. (Related: Homegrown medicine: Local yarrow from the Middle East shown to have gastroprotective properties.)
In a study published in the Journal of Family Practice, researchers assessed the cholesterol-lowering abilities of 11 herbal medicinal products that are often used as supplements by reviewing randomized controlled trials. They reported that yarrow supplementation caused a 39 percent reduction in total blood cholesterol levels – the highest of all the herbs tested. They also noted that yarrow and the other herbs could "exert beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease by elevating high-density lipoprotein levels and inhibiting lipid oxidation."
Maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels is key to supporting the optimal health of your heart and cardiovascular system. You can achieve this by following a healthy diet and lifestyle and incorporating herbs like turmeric, ginger and rosemary into your meals or taking herbal supplements.
Learn more about herbs with cholesterol-lowering properties at Herbs.news.
Watch this video to learn about how beta-sitosterol, a natural plant compound, can help with high cholesterol and support prostate health.
This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com.
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