Herbs to Fight Cholesterol

The effects of an elevated cholesterol level can range from minimal to fatal. High levels of LDL---or "bad"---cholesterol can result in high blood pressure, a heart attack or even coronary heart disease. If you're facing high cholesterol or are interested in taking preventive measures, you can do so at home using herbal remedies.

Green Tea

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one clinical study found that men who drank green tea were more likely to have lower total cholesterol than those who did not. Green tea also raises the level of favorable, or HDL, cholesterol; these beneficial effects are thought to stem from polyphenols that reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream.

Garlic

• Garlic is believed to be a miracle herb for cardiovascular issues. In fact, garlic has been has been licensed in Germany as a treatment for atherosclerosis, the condition in which dangerous plaque builds up in the arteries. According to researchers at Iowa State University, both raw and cooked garlic contain compounds that help diminish the liver's production of cholesterol.

Artichoke Leaf

• Though consumers typically think of artichokes as a side dish with dinner, ingesting artichoke leaf extract may help lower cholesterol levels. According to "Science Daily," researchers at the University of Reading, in England, have found that the extract from the globe artichoke plant can reduce cholesterol levels. The study was performed on healthy individuals of a normal weight, and the study notes that the extract may a lesser effect on overweight individuals or people with chronic health issues.

Guggul

• Guggul---also known as bedellium---is the resin from a flowering plant that grows most prevalently in northern India; it has long been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. According to the University of Michigan Health System, one double-blind trial studying the effects of guggul reported that total cholesterol among participants dropped by 17.5 percent. However, the study found no evidence that guggul improved the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol in the body.

Ginger

• The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that preliminary studies suggest that ginger may lower cholesterol and help prevent the blood from clotting. Ginger may reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides produced by the liver. This could be significant, as the liver produces more than 80 percent of the body's cholesterol.