Herbs to lower Cholesterol

GARLIC

First of all we will start with garlic. Garlic is part of the Mediterranean diet and widely used around the world. Among some of its already well known properties we can mention that garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer and prevents cardiovascular disease but in what refers to its ability to lower cholesterol levels there was not much said till now.

Garlic was subject of different studies on animals in order to verify if it was able to lower cholesterol levels, in one of this clinical studies rats were given garlic powder with a concentration of 0.6% of allicin, a chemical compound found in Garlic. After six weeks it was noticed that the animals given garlic power reported a significant reduction in their serum cholesterol levels and also a lower blood pressure compared to the ones that didn't receive it [1].

The experiment showed that garlic may be beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels as well as to treat hypertension. Garlic however has a contraindication, it can increase bleeding [5], that’s why it is not so recommended to patient suffering cardiovascular disease.

HERBS RICH IN TANNINS

Tannins are natural polyphenols found in herbs with the added benefit of being powerful antioxidants with an important free radical scavenging action. Among the many different tannins found in herbs and other aliments (wine for example), two have been highlighted for their potential use to lower cholesterol levels, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose [3] and epigallocatechin-3-O-methylgallate. These two tannins were able to reduce blood pressure and showed some hypotensive effects in a study performed among a certain amount of herbs rich on tannins [2].

In another clinical study, two other types of tannins, out of a total fifty investigated, showed to be effective on the reduction of cholesterol levels, proanthrocyanidin A-2 (belonging to the flavan-3-ol group) and again 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (belonging to the gallotannin group) [2] [3]. The first one, proanthocyanidin A-2, is a tannin that can be found in horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) , in cranberry juice concentrate, in peanut skins, in Cinchona Cinchona and Cinchona pubescens rind, bark and cortex, in Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) rind, bark and cortex, in the fruit of Persea americana (avocado or alligator pear), in Urvillea ulmaceae, and in Ecdysanthera utilis [4].

Turmeric and Laurel Leaf Powder

In another experiment where Turmeric and Laurel leaf powder was administered to Zebrafish it was noticed that the plasma cholesterol level was noticeable reduce in those having an intake of turmeric and laurel leaf powder [6].

Ayurvedic research on herbs lowering cholesterol levels (2003 to 2007)

Garlic, Guggul and Arjuna. In a research carried out between 2003 and 2007 on herbs that may help to lower cholesterol levels under the Ayurvedic traditional medicine system, three main herbs were found a certain percentage of scientifically based evidence on their capacity to lower cholesterol, garlic, guggul and arjuna.

The study, covering several clinical and medical databases on the subject, identified a success rate of 50% on garlic trials, more than 80% of guggul (Commiphora mukul) [8] [9]and 100% on Arjuna. This shows that most of the traditional herbs used to lower cholesterol levels have some evidence based grounds.

In another database research study  guggul (Commiphora mukul), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), red yeast rice, and artichoke (Cynara scolymus) have demonstrated reductions in total serum cholesterol levels of between 10% and 33% [9].

Last but not least Cynanchum wilfordii is another herb that has demonstrated in studies performed with rats to ameliorates hypertension [10].