Moderately elevated cholesterol levels can be normalized with the help of single-component infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants. To choose a treatment regimen, it is worth understanding which herbs lower blood cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol herbs can be used by people who have contraindications to taking pharmaceutical drugs.
Among them:
- calendula flowers;
- flax seeds;
- oat grains;
- Dioscorea rhizomes;
- linden flowers;
- plantain seeds;
- artichoke leaves;
- milk thistle seeds;
- liquorice root;
- clover flowers;
- leaves, stems of golden mustache;
- dandelion root;
- alfalfa juice.
Calendula
Carotenoids have a structure similar to cholesterol. Glycosides complement the action of carotenoids: they stimulate the production of bile, remove toxic substances from the body, and strengthen vascular walls.
Treatment with calendula is extremely simple:
- The dried flowers of the plant are poured with boiling water.
- Cool and filter.
- Take 1 tablespoon 3 times/day before meals.
You can buy an alcoholic herbal tincture at the pharmacy; treatment is carried out for a month, using it three times a day, 30 drops.
Sophora japonica
The fruits of Sophora japonica are most effective in the fight against cholesterol when combined with mistletoe. Take mistletoe grass and sophora fruits, one hundred grams of each ingredient. Place them in a container and fill with vodka in the amount of 1 liter. For three weeks, infuse this mixture in a place where the sun's rays do not penetrate. After three weeks, the tincture is considered ready and can be consumed. Drink it three times a day, one teaspoon before meals. This remedy will not only reduce cholesterol in the blood, but also improve the functioning of the circulatory system and help with hypertension.
Flax seeds
Flax fiber accelerates the process of fat breakdown. Experts in traditional medicine claim that consuming 3 tablespoons of flaxseeds per day can lower cholesterol to normal levels. The product can be used as an additive to various dishes - salads, side dishes, fermented milk products. Gradually, against the background of cleansing the blood vessels, blood pressure will return to normal, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract will be optimized, and vitamin reserves will be replenished.
Flax infusions are no less effective:
- A tablespoon of whole or crushed seeds is poured into a glass of boiling water. They insist for two hours.
- Without filtering, add 0.5 tablespoon of aloe juice to the infusion.
- Take twice a day: in the morning immediately after waking up, in the evening before bed, no earlier than 3 hours after dinner. Aloe can be omitted from the recipe.
The course of treatment is long - from 30 to 90 days.
Flaxseed oil is of particular value. Taking a sip of oil before meals will benefit the body.
Oats
Oat infusions remove harmful substances, salts, sand from the body, give freshness to the skin, and treat diseases of the digestive tract and nervous system. Polyprofinols improve blood fluidity and prevent cholesterol from settling on the walls of blood vessels.
A healing oat drink is prepared according to the following recipe:
- Wash 250 g of oats, pour into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water.
- Leave to infuse overnight.
- Strain in the morning.
Take 200 ml infusion, always on an empty stomach, for 10 days.
Dioscorea
Dioscorea Caucasica has a pronounced anti-cholesterol effect. The rhizomes of the herb were used to produce Polysponin, a drug that lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. The drug has been discontinued, but its active ingredient - dioscorea rhizomes - can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Treatment regimen:
- The raw materials of the plant are ground into powder.
- Mix 1 teaspoon with the same amount of honey.
- Take the resulting mixture 4 times a day after meals for 10 days.
- After a five-day break, treatment is resumed according to the same scheme.
- The therapeutic course is at least 4 months.
Steroid glycosides bind and remove cholesterol. The powder is recommended for prevention in the initial stages of atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, as well as severe or moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Linden flowers
Due to the content of essential oils, linden decoctions and infusions reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis, reduce body weight, improve appearance and well-being, and cleanse the walls of blood vessels from cholesterol plaques.
Treatment with linden decoction:
- Dried crushed linden inflorescences (1 tablespoon) are poured with 200 ml of boiling water.
- Place on low heat and cook for 10 minutes.
- Strain through a sieve or cheesecloth, take 1 glass 3 times a day.
- The course of treatment is 14 days.
Linden infusion therapy:
- Place 2 tablespoons of dry linden inflorescences in a thermos or other heat-preserving container and add 500 ml of boiling water.
- You can add a pinch of mint leaves, lemon balm or chamomile flowers.
- Linden tea is infused for 10 minutes, then filtered.
- Take 150 ml 3 times a day.
Treatment regimen with linden inflorescence flour:
- Dry linden inflorescences are ground to flour.
- The resulting powder is taken 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon, with warm water.
- Treatment is carried out for 30 days, after a two-week break the course is repeated.
14 days before starting to take linden powder, it is recommended to drink decoctions of choleretic herbs: corn silk, tansy leaves, milk thistle, immortelle herb.
Treatment of high cholesterol
The main method of combating high levels of fat in the body is a special diet and normalization of the diet. In addition, it is necessary to abandon a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to the development of stagnation in the body and contributes to the formation of cholesterol plaques.
Physical exercise and daily walks in the fresh air have a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels, cleanse them, improve mood and overall well-being.
In addition, cholesterol is reduced with the help of medications and folk remedies. Unfortunately, today there is no universal remedy that, when taken, radically reduces cholesterol levels in the body.
Typically, the following groups of medications are prescribed for this purpose:
- fibrates – affect fat metabolism in the body and make high-density lipids inactive; when taking these drugs, the likelihood of developing vascular complications and acute pancreatitis is reduced;
- statins - block enzymes that are responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol in the body, the first visible effect is visible two weeks after starting to take drugs of this group; the advantages of statins include the fact that even with long-term use there is no addiction.
Plantain
The anticholesterol effect of plantain is realized through the action of saponins and fatty acids. In the gastrointestinal tract, grass seeds swell, forming a mucous mass that absorbs toxic substances, bile acids, and removes cholesterol from the body.
Treatment with plantain includes taking a decoction and dry grass seeds. Plantain seeds (about 10 g) are taken 3 times a day with 250 ml of water. The infusion is prepared as follows:
- One dessert spoon of raw material is poured with 200 ml of boiling water. Leave for 20 minutes.
- Take 1 tablespoon every two hours for two weeks.
- Take a 10-day break and repeat the course.
If used regularly, plantain seeds reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, reduce the risk of blood clots, reduce cholesterol levels, and normalize lipid metabolism.
Why herbs are better than drugs
Magnesium and potassium in many herbs improve the body's circulatory system
Along with traditional pharmaceutical drugs, medicinal herbs are used to cleanse blood vessels and reduce bad cholesterol. This is achieved due to the beneficial components that make up the plant raw materials.
Vitamins
All herbs that are used in folk medicine to lower blood cholesterol contain the following vitamins:
- vitamin C (ascorbic acid): improves the functioning of the heart muscle, increases the elasticity of blood vessels, helps strengthen the immune system;
- vitamin E (tocopherol): has a positive effect on blood circulation, prevents the formation of blood clots, cleanses the body of free radicals and toxins, inhibits the aging process;
- vitamin F: participates in the construction of cell membranes and strengthening blood vessels, thins the blood and prevents its stagnation, reduces cholesterol;
- vitamin B8 (isonitol): has antisclerotic and antispasmodic effects, effectively cleans blood vessels, normalizes the functioning of the brain and cardiovascular system.
By helping to strengthen the body's defenses, vitamins increase its resistance to various diseases and help overall health.
Micro- and macroelements
The composition of medicinal herbs includes magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese, sodium, iodine and other elements of the periodic table, which reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the blood and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
In addition, by stabilizing the functioning of the cardiovascular system, they prevent the formation of blood clots, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Flavonoids
Scientists have proven that flavonoids contained in plants are powerful antioxidants. They reduce the number of free radicals, remove toxins and reduce the likelihood of many diseases, including cancer.
Flavonoids have vasodilating, anti-sclerotic, cardioprotective and immunostimulating effects and play a significant role in the rejuvenation and healing of the entire body.
The composition of medicinal herbs also includes lecithins, phytosterols, satins and other components, due to which they are actively used to cleanse blood vessels. Plant fiber found in herbs binds “bad” cholesterol molecules and prevents them from entering the blood.
Thus, medicinal plants can be used not only for prevention, but also for the treatment of atherosclerosis, complementing or completely replacing drug therapy.
Microelements contained in herbs prevent the appearance of cholesterol plaques
Artichoke
Artichoke removes cholesterol due to its choleretic and diuretic effects. It is advisable to use the plant for patients with atherosclerosis, hepatitis, constipation, skin diseases, and urolithiasis. Research by English scientists confirms that artichoke extract reduces the level of sterol (provided it is not critically increased) to standard values within 12 weeks.
You can buy bagged artichoke tea at the pharmacy:
- To brew, take 250 ml of boiling water, 1 tea bag (or one and a half teaspoons of loose raw materials).
- Leave the drink for 5 minutes, then drink before, during or immediately after meals 3 times a day.
Bitterness can be removed by adding a small amount of honey or sugar.
Green tea
You can significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels by 15% by replacing black tea or coffee with high-quality green tea. It is necessary to brew it not strong and not to use tea bags. The beneficial effects of this drink on the body are explained by the content of flavonoids in it, which strengthen blood vessels and capillaries. If you drink green tea every day, in small quantities, one or two cups a day, the level of lipids in the blood will decrease and the level of good cholesterol in the blood will normalize.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle, or milk thistle, has a similar effect to artichoke.
Making milk thistle infusion is simple:
- One tablespoon of seeds is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and left for 6 hours.
- Drink 50-70 ml 30 minutes before meals three times a day.
For high cholesterol, an alcohol tincture of the plant will also be useful:
- About 50 g of raw material is poured with 500 ml of vodka and left for 2 weeks.
- Take 3 times a day, 20 drops half an hour before meals.
Herbs for lowering cholesterol and cleaning blood vessels
Herbal medicine is convenient, first of all, because it allows almost any patient to find a suitable phytocomponent (or a whole herbal mixture) just for him.
blue cyanosis
To cleanse the vascular channels, use the rhizome of cyanosis. To prepare a healing decoction, you need to take 1 tbsp. spoon of dried cyanosis roots, pour a glass of water over them, and then cook over low heat for 30 minutes. As soon as the drug has cooled, you need to strain it.
You need to take the product three to four times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon 1.5-2 hours after eating. The last dose must be taken before going to bed. The course of treatment is 21 days.
Cyanosis calms the nervous system, relieves spasms, lowers cholesterol levels, and eliminates cough.
Clover
Clover has long been known for its cleansing properties. In order to use the plant as a component for cleaning blood vessels, you need to prepare an alcohol tincture or a decoction of the inflorescences:
- Take 1 teaspoon of dried clover flowers, pour a glass of boiling water. Boil the mixture in a water bath for 5 minutes, and then leave to infuse for 40 minutes. After this, strain the infusion and drink 1 tbsp. spoon 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. This decoction is drunk for 21 days, then take a break for 7 days and resume the course;
- Alcohol tincture is usually used for excess cholesterol levels, as well as for already progressive stages of sclerosis. For cooking you will need 2 tbsp. spoons of dried clover flowers and 1 glass of high-quality vodka. Pour vodka over the inflorescences, close the container with a tight lid and put everything away to infuse in a dark place. Every day you need to dilute 30 drops of this drug in 1/3 glass of water and drink 40 minutes before meals.
Alfalfa
To prepare a preparation from alfalfa, you will need fresh leaves of this plant (or even better, their small sprouts). You need to cut them, wash them well and eat them fresh. Some patients prefer to squeeze juice from such leaves and drink it three times a day in the amount of 2 tbsp. spoons The course of therapy is 30 days.
Alfalfa helps not only with excess cholesterol and clogged blood vessels, but also with brittle nails, hair loss, osteoporosis and arthritis.
Dandelion roots
Take dried dandelion rhizomes and grind them to a powder. To cleanse the vascular channels, it is enough to take 1 teaspoon of this powder daily. The course of treatment is 6 months.
Celery
The recipe uses celery stalks, which must be taken fresh. Boil several fresh stems for 2 minutes, then remove them and sprinkle with sesame seeds, add salt and sugar to taste to the “dish”, and season with olive oil. You can eat the resulting salad at any time and in any quantity, but people with low blood pressure should avoid this recipe.
Golden mustache (fragrant callisia)
Golden mustache is a proven remedy that has been used for years to normalize cholesterol levels in the blood. The plant must be used in infusion form. To prepare it, take several fresh leaves (which have already grown to 20 cm), chop them finely and pour 1000 ml of boiling water over the resulting plant material. Wrap the container with the infusion in a warm cloth and leave to infuse for 24 hours in a dark place.
Take 1 tbsp three times daily. spoon of the resulting preparation (this should be done before eating). The therapeutic course is 90 days.
Liquorice root
Licorice is not only an excellent cough remedy, but also an excellent assistant in the fight for clean blood vessels. Take 2 tbsp. spoons of licorice roots, pour 500 ml of boiling water over them and simmer over low heat for another 10 minutes. Strain the broth. This infusion should be drunk 4 times a day every day after meals, a single dose is 1/3 cup. The course of treatment is 30 days, then a break is taken for a month, and treatment is resumed.
Linden blossom
Linden should be harvested only during its active flowering. Pick the flower right along with the leaves and dry it. You can make a medicinal tea from dried flowers. To do this, take 1 tbsp. Pour a spoonful of dried linden flowers into a glass of boiling water. Infuse the tea for 30 minutes. You need to drink the drink 3 times a day, half an hour before meals. The course of therapy is 30 days, after which there is a break.
Milk thistle
One of the most popular remedies for removing excess cholesterol from the body. The seeds of the plant are used in treatment. Pour 50 g of plant seeds into an opaque container, fill it with a bottle of high-quality vodka and leave everything to stand for 2 weeks in a place far from sunlight.
The finished product should be taken for 30 days, four times a day, 20 drops before meals.
St. John's wort
St. John's wort is usually used in combination with other herbs. It is believed that it works more effectively in herbal preparations. However, there are recipes that use St. John's wort in its pure form:
- Take 1 tbsp. spoon of dried St. John's wort flowers, pour 300 ml of boiling water. Three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening) drink 1/3 cup of the product. The course of treatment is 21 days;
- Take dried St. John's wort flowers and high-quality vodka in proportions 1:5. Place the resulting mixture in a dark place to infuse for 10 days. The course of treatment is 30 days, every day you should drink 30 drops of the drug, diluted in 1/4 glass of water (three times a day).
Chicory
Chicory contains a large amount of insulin, which helps restore the natural intestinal microflora and prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques on the vascular walls.
To prepare a decoction of chicory, pour 1 tbsp. a spoonful of herbal raw materials with a liter of boiling water. Then cook the medicine in a water bath for 15 minutes, cool and strain. Drink 1/3 cup of decoction every morning, afternoon and evening.
Calendula flowers
Commonly known as marigold, the plant contains carotenoids and flavonoids, which help protect the body from the development of atherosclerosis. The best thing, of course, is to prepare the calendula yourself and prepare a decoction from it. But not everyone has this opportunity, so you can use a pharmacy tincture.
You need to take tincture of calendula flowers 30 drops twice or thrice a day for 28 days.
Plantain
To prepare an anti-sclerotic drug, you will need plantain seeds. They are usually collected at the end of the flowering season. For 1 tbsp. A spoonful of seeds should equal 300 ml of boiling water. Infuse this decoction until it cools completely, then strain and drink 30 ml twice a day. The course of treatment is 30 days, after which you need to take a break for 30 days and resume treatment.
Tansy
A cleansing decoction can be prepared from any part of the tansy (that is, stems, leaves, flowers, and even roots are used). Most often, patients prefer to use the flowers of the plant. Pour 1 tbsp. a spoonful of flowers (dried or fresh) 300 ml of boiling water. Leave the product for half an hour, then strain. Drink 1 tbsp every day. spoon of the drug 15 minutes before meals.
Jaundice
In villages, a special kvass is often prepared from jaundice, which not only perfectly quenches thirst, but also controls the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
To prepare such healing kvass, you need to pour about 50 g of dried herbs into a linen bag, and then put it in a container filled with 3 liters of cold water. Add 1 teaspoon of sour cream and 1 glass of sugar to the water. This entire structure must be placed in a warm and dark place and the contents must be mixed regularly.
Before you start drinking, you need to infuse the drink for 2 weeks. Ready-made kvass is drunk 100 ml three times a day before meals. Each time you need to add as much liquid to the container with kvass as you drank, and also add 1 teaspoon of sugar. The course of therapy is 30 days.
pharmaceutical camomile
A universal remedy that allows you not only to cleanse the blood, but also to calm the nervous system, cope with insomnia, spasms, headaches and arrhythmia.
It is best to drink chamomile tea daily. To prepare, take 1 tbsp. spoon of dried chamomile flowers, pour 300 ml of boiling water over them and leave covered for 15-20 minutes. Drink 100 ml of this tea three times a day.
Dioscorea caucasica
Dioscorea rhizome is used in the same way as dandelion root. It needs to be ground to a powder, and then consumed 4 times a day after meals, mixed with a small amount of honey. The course of treatment is 10 days, after which a break of 5 days is taken and treatment is resumed.
Japanese Sophora
It is best to combine Sophora with mistletoe leaves. Take 100 g of Sophora fruits and the same amount of mistletoe leaves, pour 1000 ml of high-quality vodka over the plant material. Place the container with the drug in a dark place for 3 weeks. The finished product is consumed 1 teaspoon three times a day before meals.
Licorice
Licorice root is a source of triterpene compounds, flavonoids, and essential oils. Thanks to its rich composition, licorice restores elasticity to vascular walls, removes cholesterol, and has a calming, antispasmodic effect.
The dried root of the plant is used for treatment:
- About 2 tablespoons of crushed raw materials are poured with half a liter of boiling water.
- Keep on low heat for 15 minutes.
- The broth is cooled and filtered.
- Take 70 ml 3 times a day for two weeks. After a one-month break, treatment is resumed according to the same scheme.
Red clover
Isoflavonoids strengthen blood vessels and increase the elasticity of their walls. The plant speeds up metabolism, removes harmful compounds and excess cholesterol from the body. For treatment, an infusion of dried red clover flowers is used:
- One tablespoon of raw material is poured with 200 ml of boiling water.
- Cover the vessel with a lid and leave for 30 minutes.
- Strain, take 2 tablespoons 3 times a day.
Normalization of lipid metabolism will require two months of treatment. Clover is effective even with long-term elevated cholesterol levels.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
For a long time, an increase in cholesterol levels in the body does not manifest itself externally. The accumulation process goes unnoticed and very slowly. The first symptoms appear when a cholesterol plaque has already formed, which has clogged more than half of the vessel.
What exactly the symptoms will be depends on where the plaque formed.
Warning signs to watch out for are:
- the appearance of weakness and pain in the legs even with little physical activity, lameness - such symptoms are a consequence of partial blockage of the lumen of the vessel by an atherosclerotic plaque;
- the formation of a light gray rim along the edges of the cornea of the eye - if such a rim occurs in a person under 50 years of age, then this is one of the possible symptoms of high cholesterol;
- angina pectoris - occurs as a result of narrowing of the coronary arteries, which leads to disruption of the nutrition of the heart muscle;
- dizziness, fainting;
- the appearance of neoplasms with yellowish fatty inclusions on the skin of the eyelids;
- shortness of breath, development of heart failure;
- vomiting, bloating, colic - similar symptoms appear if a cholesterol plaque forms in the vessels feeding the gastrointestinal tract.
If one or more of the above symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo an examination, since elevated cholesterol levels can be one of the symptoms of a number of serious diseases.
Nutrition for high cholesterol
With elevated cholesterol levels in the body, it is necessary to change your diet and diet. Useful products are:
- fresh fruits and vegetables;
- cereals;
- nuts, dried fruits, berries;
- vegetable soups;
- river and sea fish;
- unrefined vegetable oils (sunflower, olive, flaxseed);
- lean meats.
You should minimize your consumption of the following foods:
- fatty dairy products;
- fatty meats;
- seafood;
- sugar.
It is better not to fry food, but to boil or stew it.
If you have high cholesterol levels, the following foods are prohibited for consumption:
- refined oil;
- hot sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise;
- lard, margarine;
- crackers, chips and other snack products;
- sausages, sausages, smoked meats, sausages;
- sweet soda;
- confectionery;
- semi-finished products.
Golden mustache
Golden mustache normalizes metabolism, strengthens the immune system, accelerates the removal of toxic substances from the body, and has an antioxidant effect. The juice of golden mustache and black radish is used for treatment:
- Finely chop the golden mustache leaves and squeeze out the juice to make 3 tablespoons.
- Black radish (300 g) is grated and mixed with the prepared juice.
- The mixture is covered with a lid and left for a day.
- After 24 hours, squeeze out the mass.
- The resulting juice is consumed three times a day, 1 tablespoon, each time diluted with 50 ml of boiled water, for 7 days.
An infusion of golden mustache has a similar effect:
- Freshly cut plant stems are finely chopped, thrown into a thermos, and 1 liter of boiling water is poured.
- Take 1 tablespoon half an hour before meals three times a day.
The course of treatment is long - 90 days. It is recommended to resume use after a three-month break. Taking the infusion lowers sugar and cholesterol levels.
Recipes for multi-component herbal infusions
When choosing a “herbal” method of treatment, it is not enough to know which herbs remove cholesterol and use them according to the recipe. Achieving a goal requires a certain amount of patience and faith.
Recipe No. 1. Anticholesterol infusion based on yarrow
Components:
- stems of common yarrow – 50 g;
- hawthorn inflorescences – 25 g;
- mistletoe leaves – 25 g;
- small periwinkle shoots – 25g;
- horsetail stems – 25 g.
The herbs are mixed and stored in a cool, dark place. The infusion is prepared every day according to the following scheme:
- Add 1 tablespoon of dry raw materials to 200 ml of boiling water.
- The mixture is infused for 1 hour.
- Strain, divide into three parts, drink 60 minutes before meals 3 times a day.
After two months of treatment, a three-month break is taken.
Recipe No. 2. Multi-component collection for cleansing blood vessels
Components:
- rowan berries – 30 g;
- hawthorn fruits – 30 g;
- Joster bark – 20 g;
- chamomile inflorescences – 10 g;
- string stem – 10 g;
- lingonberry leaves – 10 g;
- corn silk – 10 g.
Dry raw materials are mixed and placed in a dark place until the end of treatment. To prepare the infusion:
- One tablespoon of herbs is poured into 200 ml of boiling water.
- Keep in a water bath for 20 minutes.
- Strain the infusion, drink 60-70 ml three times a day.
Taken to lower cholesterol levels and cleanse blood vessels.
Recipe No. 3. Hepatoprotective herbal mixture to speed up metabolism
Components:
- St. John's wort herb - 1 tablespoon;
- yarrow stems - 1 tablespoon;
- mountain arnica flowers – 0.5 teaspoon.
Sequence of preparation, scheme of use:
- A tablespoon of raw material is poured into 200 ml of boiling water.
- Leave for 30 minutes, filter.
- Divide into three equal portions, drink half an hour before meals 3 times a day.
Therapy is carried out for three months, then after the same break, treatment is resumed.
Recipe No. 4. General health herbal mixture for patients with atherosclerosis
Components:
- birch buds – 100 g;
- immortelle grass – 100 g;
- St. John's wort herb – 100 g;
- chamomile flowers – 100 g.
Preparation and treatment plan:
- A tablespoon (25 g) of the mixture is poured with 500 ml of boiling water and left for half an hour.
- The infusion is filtered through cheesecloth or a sieve and divided into two equal portions.
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey to each of them.
- Use in the morning, before going to bed at night, preheating.
The duration of administration is determined by the amount of herbal mixture. The course of treatment is considered completed as soon as it ends.
