cholesterol

One of the many herbal remedies for lowering cholesterol is this particular blend.

The first step in managing high cholesterol is reducing inflammation. This might look like eliminating foods you are intolerant to, spending more time relaxing and reducing stress, getting enough and appropriate exercise, or eating foods rich in antioxidants. As cholesterol tends to be a response to inflammation in the vessels, those herbs that care for the circulatory system are best, such as yarrow, rosemary, garlic and hawthorn berries.

The next step is to use herbs that increase circulation. Circulatory tonics and stimulant herbs are fantastic as they open the blood vessels and encourage healthy blood flow. Some herbs that fall into this category include ginger, cayenne, black pepper, etc.

Finally, bitter alternative herbs, such as dandelion root, burdock root, barberry, gentian root, help lower cholesterol levels by encouraging bile production and affecting liver metabolism.

No holistic approach would be complete without looking at your diet.

Because high levels of inflammation are positively correlated with high cholesterol levels, the first step toward improving your cholesterol-lowering diet is to reduce or eliminate foods that trigger an inflammatory response.

Some foods that are especially rich in flavonoids include berries, citrus fruits, green tea, leafy greens, cruciferous and garlic vegetables, onions, leeks, avocado, tahini, olives, seeds chia, hemp seeds, cocoa and nuts, lentils, beans and oats are also excellent sources of fiber.