Lipid Disorders Treatment: Herbs

The following herbs and botanicals are often recommended for treating lipid disorders (high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides), and they have been studied for this purpose:

• Artichoke leaf
• Cinnamon
• Teas (black and green)

The following herbs and botanicals are also sometimes recommended for treating high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides:

• Achillea wilhelmsii, an Iranian herb also used for hypertension
• Alfalfa
• Ashwagandha
• Berberine (found in goldenseal, honey, Oregon grape, and barberry)
• Black cohosh
• Caigua (Cyclanterha pedata), a Peruvian herb
• Eclipta alba (also know as Bhringraja or Keshraja), an Ayurvedic herb
• Carob fiber
• Cordyceps (Chinese caterpillar fungus)
• Cranberry
• Curcumin (from turmeric)
• Elderberry
• Fenugreek
• Guggul
• He shou wu
• Maitake
• Policosanol (made from sugarcane)

• Lipid Disorders and Stanols/Sterols
• Lipid Disorders and Artichoke
• Lipid Disorders and Red Yeast Rice
• Lipid Disorders and Cinnamon
• Lipid Disorders and Flaxseed
• Lipid Disorders and Tea
• Lipid Disorders and Chromium

Plant stanol esters reduce serum (blood) cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol absorption.¹⁰ Because they are structurally similar to cholesterol, stanols (and sterols) can displace...

Read more about Lipid Disorders and Stanols/Sterols.

Artichoke leaf may work by interfering with cholesterol synthesis.⁸² A compound in artichoke called luteolin may play a role in reducing cholesterol.⁸³

Read more about Lipid Disorders and Artichoke.

Red yeast rice contains naturally occurring substances similar (and, in some cases, identical) to cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs in the statin family. Statins lower cholesterol and...

Read more about Lipid Disorders and Red Yeast Rice.

In the study discussed here, cinnamon supplements improved triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol, without worsening HDL cholesterol.

Read more about Lipid Disorders and Cinnamon.

It has been suggested that flaxseed might help reduce cholesterol and slow the progression of atherosclerosis. There are at least three flaxseed components with potential health benefits:

• The...

Read more about Lipid Disorders and Flaxseed.

Tea, especially green tea, contains a number of active compounds that may explain its positive effect on cholesterol. May of these compounds act as antioxidants.

Read more about Lipid Disorders and Tea.

Chromium may have some benefit for improving lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides). It appears to help offset the negative effect that beta blockers can have on HDL ("good cholesterol").

Read more about Lipid Disorders and Chromium.