LDL is low density lipids which are harmful to health. Good herbs for high cholesterol will lower LDL cholesterol numbers while raising or not affecting HDL cholesterol. Nutrients called anti-oxidants are much in the news these days.

These nutrients, and there are many different ones among the vitamins and herbs, help in cases of high cholesterol by slowing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol which helps prevent atheroschlerosis.

An herb known as guggul, which is actually a resin from an Indian tree, is a traditional treatment for obesity, arthritis, and atheroscherosis. It is helpful because it lowers cholesterol and also lowers triglicerides.

It works as an antioxidant in the bloodstream as well. It needs to be in a purified form to avoid side effects. In tests, guggul has lowered cholesterol by as much as 17 % and was as effective as some prescription medicines.

Do not take this at the same time as prescription medicines. Talk to your doctor if you want to try using guggel or other herbs for high cholesterol.

In a few studies, both with people and with animals, alfalfa has been found useful for controlling cholesterol. Alfalfa, like other herbs for high cholesterol, appears to make the plaque in the blood less sticky so that it doesn't form the harmful deposits.

There is some evidence that the seeds may be particularly helpful, but large amounts of alfalfa seed can cause other side effects. Talk to your health professional if you want to try using the seeds, or stick to sprouts and alfalfa tablets.

Garlic is helpful for the circulatory system and must be included among herbs for high cholesterol. It appears to be heathful because of the high content of sulfer-containing components. Garlic improves the balance of good HDL cholestorol to bad LDL cholesterol.

It reduces the formation of plaque in the blood vessels because it has anti-clotting effect. Blood clots are responsible for heart disease and stroke.

Cayenne is believed to eat away at cholesterol in the blood. It works as a catalyst to purify the blood. It helps the circulation and heart as well as the rest of the body. It stimulates the heart but lowers blood pressure.

Cayenne and other hot peppers increase the blood flow which helps clean out toxins and bring oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the extremities of the body. Sometimes called capsicum, cayenne belongs in the arsenal of herbs for high blood pressure.

Several Asian herbs for high cholesterol are widely available. Aswagandha, an Indian herb sometimes called winter cherry has lowered cholesterol in a scientific study.

Astragalus root lowers blood pressure and increases the blood flow by dilating the blood vessels. It is thought by Chinese herbalists to tone up the qi, or life force. Fo ti (also called ho shou wu) has been found to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

American and Asian ginseng, celery and celery seed, dandelion, evening primrose oil, ginger, hawthorn berry, milk thistle, red clover, wild yam, and turmeric have all been suggested as valuable in reducing high cholesterol. Several of these herbs for high cholesterol are suggested for lowering blood pressure as well.

Diet plays a large role in controlling high cholesterol. Be sure to reduce the amount of saturated fats in your diet, especially those from animal sources. Increase the fiber in your diet, too. Psyllium seed husks (psyllium is related to the common plantain) are helpful for adding fiber.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are important, too, and of course you should exercise. In addition, if you are a coffee drinker, you might want to consider switching to tea and especially green tea. Coffee drinkers tend to suffer from hardening of the arteries more often than tea drinkers.

Tea contains components called polyphenols that are thought to strenthen the heart's blood vessel walls. It is also thought that the caffeine in tea actually has the effect of lowering cholesterol. If you're a caffeine user, consider adding tea to your list of herbs for high cholesterol.