High Cholesterol: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

High cholesterol, a condition where the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol in the blood exceed 100 milligrams per deciliter, poses a significant risk to heart health.

It is often caused by a combination of genetic predisposition, poor diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, and certain medical conditions. If left unmanaged, high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. To alleviate high cholesterol, herbal remedies such as guggul, garlic, and turmeric can be used.

Guggul, a plant native to India, has been shown to lower LDL levels. Garlic, rich in antioxidants, helps prevent the buildup of plaque in arteries. Turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory properties, reduces inflammation in the body. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they can interact with medications and exacerbate underlying conditions.

Additionally, individuals with high cholesterol should follow a balanced diet and engage in regular exercise to achieve optimal results.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of high cholesterol, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of high cholesterol?

The main causes of high cholesterol are primarily genetic, with approximately 20% of cases attributed to familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene.

Diet plays a significant role, with high intake of saturated fats (especially from red meat, full-fat dairy products, and processed meats) and trans fats (found in processed snacks and fried foods) contributing to elevated LDL levels. Lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity and obesity, can also increase cholesterol levels, as can certain medical conditions, including hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and sleep apnea. Additionally, certain medications, such as anabolic steroids and some antidepressants, can raise cholesterol levels as a side effect.

Furthermore, age is also a significant risk factor, with cholesterol levels often increasing with age due to declining estrogen levels and decreased physical activity.

• Genetic: Genetic predisposition is the most common cause of high cholesterol, as some people are born with a genetic tendency to produce excess cholesterol due to mutations in genes responsible for cholesterol metabolism, such as LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9.
• Diet: A diet high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol, particularly from animal products and processed foods, contributes significantly to high cholesterol by increasing the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream and promoting the formation of LDL cholesterol.
• Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for high cholesterol, as excess body fat, particularly around the abdominal area, leads to insulin resistance, inflammation, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that increase cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle contributes to high cholesterol by reducing the efficiency of the LDL receptor, impairing the clearance of LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, and promoting the formation of small, dense LDL particles that are highly atherogenic.
• Smoking: Smoking damages the inner lining of blood vessels, making them more susceptible to the accumulation of cholesterol and other substances that contribute to atherosclerosis, and also increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that promote the formation of foam cells and the progression of atherosclerosis.
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism, particularly in women, is associated with high cholesterol, as the lack of thyroid hormone leads to decreased LDL receptor activity, impaired clearance of LDL cholesterol, and increased production of VLDL and triglycerides.
• Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease and renal failure lead to high cholesterol by impairing the clearance of LDL cholesterol, increasing the production of VLDL and triglycerides, and promoting the formation of foam cells and the progression of atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus contributes to high cholesterol by promoting insulin resistance, inflammation, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that increase cholesterol levels in the blood and promote the formation of foam cells and the progression of atherosclerosis.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as anabolic steroids, birth control pills, and some antihistamines, can increase cholesterol levels in the blood by promoting the production of LDL cholesterol, impairing the clearance of LDL cholesterol, or increasing the production of VLDL and triglycerides.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalances, particularly an increase in androgen hormones, contribute to high cholesterol by promoting the production of LDL cholesterol, impairing the clearance of LDL cholesterol, and increasing the production of VLDL and triglycerides.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for high cholesterol?

The main medicinal herbs used for high cholesterol are Ginkgo biloba, Allium sativum, Panax ginseng, Cassia auriculata, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum verum, Terminalia arjuna, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Silybum marianum, Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Ginkgo biloba reduces cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Allium sativum, or garlic, lowers cholesterol through its ability to inhibit the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the gut and reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Panax ginseng, Cassia auriculata, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum verum, Terminalia arjuna, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Silybum marianum, and Salvia miltiorrhiza work by improving lipid metabolism, enhancing the activity of LDL receptors, and reducing inflammation in the blood vessels.

Studies have shown that these herbs can lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, making them effective alternatives to conventional cholesterol-lowering medications.

• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps to reduce high cholesterol by increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol and decreasing the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, due to its flavonoid and terpenoid compounds that inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol.
• Allium sativum: Allium sativum has been found to have a hypocholesterolemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its organosulfur compounds that inhibit the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng has been found to have a positive effect on lipid profiles by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its ginsenosides that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Cassia auriculata: Cassia auriculata has been found to have a hypocholesterolemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids that have antioxidant properties.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale has been found to have a hypolipidemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its gingerols and shogaols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum has been found to have a hypolipidemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its cinnamaldehyde that has antioxidant properties.
• Terminalia arjuna: Terminalia arjuna has been found to have a hypocholesterolemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its arjunolic acid and terpenoids that have antioxidant properties.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra has been found to have a hypolipidemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its glycyrrhizin that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Silybum marianum: Silybum marianum has been found to have a hypocholesterolemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its silymarin that has antioxidant properties.
• Salvia miltiorrhiza: Salvia miltiorrhiza has been found to have a hypolipidemic effect by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol, possibly due to its tanshinones that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

What are the main herbal preparations used for high cholesterol?

The main herbal preparations used for high cholesterol are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Topical Cream, Softgel, Powder, Tablet, Suppository, Extract, Gel Capsule.

Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract used to lower cholesterol through herbs like Guggul and Red Yeast Rice, which have been shown to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. Decoction is a liquid extract made by boiling herbs like Ginger and Turmeric, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce cholesterol levels. Capsule and Softgel encapsulate powdered extracts of herbs like Artichoke and Green Tea, which have been proven to improve lipid profiles and lower cholesterol.

Extract, Powder, Tablet, Suppository, and Gel Capsule forms of herbs like Garlic and Fenugreek are also used to lower cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, improving lipid profiles, and reducing inflammation.

• Tincture: A tincture made from the roots of the plant Berberis vulgaris, also known as barberry, helps with high cholesterol by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a key role in cholesterol production in the liver.
• Decoction: A decoction made from the bark of the plant Cinnamomum verum, also known as cinnamon, helps with high cholesterol by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Capsule: Capsules containing the plant extract of Ginkgo biloba help with high cholesterol by improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure, which can contribute to reduced cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Topical Cream: A topical cream made from the plant Salix alba, also known as white willow, helps with high cholesterol by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow in the skin, which can help to lower cholesterol levels in the body.
• Softgel: Softgels containing the plant extract of Commiphora mukul, also known as guggul, help with high cholesterol by inhibiting the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and increasing the excretion of bile acids, which can help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Powder: Powder made from the roots of the plant Allium sativum, also known as garlic, helps with high cholesterol by reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Tablet: Tablets containing the plant extract of Coleus forskohlii help with high cholesterol by increasing the production of bile acids and inhibiting the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, which can help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Suppository: Suppositories made from the plant extract of Silybum marianum, also known as milk thistle, help with high cholesterol by protecting the liver from damage caused by high cholesterol and improving the body's ability to excrete bile acids, which can help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Extract: Extracts made from the plant Aralia quinquefolia, also known as American ginseng, help with high cholesterol by improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure, which can contribute to reduced cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Gel Capsule: Gel capsules containing the plant extract of Centella asiatica help with high cholesterol by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow in the body, which can help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.