Cardiovascular

High Cholesterol

Higher-than-healthy levels of fats such as LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the blood, which can build up in the arteries. It's found with a blood test; talk to a health professional about how to manage it.

Heart and blood vessel problems can be serious. These herbs are listed because people have traditionally used them or researchers have studied them, not because they're proven treatments. Don't use them in place of medicine your doctor prescribed, and check with your doctor or pharmacist first: several can interact with heart, blood pressure and blood-thinning medicines.

31 herbs

Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.

AlfalfaMedicago sativa
Two small, uncontrolled trials found alfalfa supplements lowered cholesterol.
AmlaPhyllanthus emblica
A review of 5 trials found it lowered total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Artichoke LeafCynara cardunculus
In trials in people with fatty liver disease, artichoke leaf extract lowered total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus
Small studies found bilberries improved blood fats, but a 2025 review of 11 trials found no clear change in cholesterol.
Black GarlicAllium sativum
A few small trials of black garlic have looked at cholesterol. One found it raised HDL ("good") cholesterol but didn't lower LDL ("bad") or total cholesterol; others found no change compared with placebo.
Black SeedNigella sativa
A 2016 review of 17 trials found it lowered total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
CardamomElettaria cardamomum
A 2024 review of 12 trials found it lowered total cholesterol and triglycerides, but not LDL.
CinnamonCinnamomum verum
A review in people with type 2 diabetes found small drops in total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Corn SilkZea mays
A review of 4 trials suggests corn silk decoction may improve blood fats; most trials weren't blinded.
Drynaria RhizomeDrynaria fortunei
In one trial in older women with osteoporosis, drynaria improved blood fats and bone density.
FlaxseedLinum usitatissimum
Whole flaxseed and lignan supplements lowered total and LDL cholesterol slightly; flaxseed oil didn't.
Fo-TiReynoutria multiflora
Traditionally used to lower blood fats, and it lowered blood fats in animal studies. Not shown in people, and it can damage the liver.
GarlicAllium sativum
Garlic supplements may lower total and LDL cholesterol a little in people with high cholesterol.
GinsengPanax ginseng
A 2022 review found lower total cholesterol in people with prediabetes or diabetes, but the research is inconclusive.
Goji BerryLycium barbarum
Slightly lowered triglycerides and raised "good" HDL cholesterol in a review of 5 small trials; no effect on LDL.
Grape SeedVitis vinifera
A 2020 review found it may lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides; the studies were small.
Green TeaCamellia sinensis
Research found green tea lowered total and LDL cholesterol slightly.
GugguluCommiphora wightii
Studies in people are mixed, and one trial suggested guggul may raise cholesterol. It may also make some medicines less effective.
GynostemmaGynostemma pentaphyllum
A review of trials found it may lower cholesterol and triglycerides, but the evidence is low quality.
HibiscusHibiscus sabdariffa
A 2022 review found a small drop in LDL cholesterol.
Jamaican Rat EarsPeperomia pellucida
Lab and animal studies suggest it may lower cholesterol; many of these studies were weak.
Macadamia NutMacadamia integrifolia
The FDA allows a limited heart-health claim; one trial found a small, uncertain drop in cholesterol.
PsylliumPlantago ovata
A 2018 review of 28 trials found about 10 g a day lowered LDL cholesterol.
PurslanePortulaca oleracea
Traditionally used for high cholesterol in Trinidad. A 2024 review of trials in people with type 2 diabetes found it improved cholesterol and triglycerides; better trials are needed.
ReishiGanoderma lucidum
A Cochrane review found reishi didn't lower cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.
Sea BuckthornHippophae rhamnoides
A review of 15 trials found it improved blood fats in people whose levels were already abnormal.
Shan ZhaCrataegus pinnatifida
Traditionally used for high blood fats, and lowered them in animal studies. Not confirmed in people.
SoybeanGlycine max
Eating soy protein instead of other proteins may lower cholesterol slightly.
TriphalaPhyllanthus emblica, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula
A review of 12 trials found triphala lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in some studies.
YarrowAchillea millefolium
In one trial in type 2 diabetes, yarrow capsules lowered LDL and total cholesterol.
Yucca RootYucca schidigera
One study found dietary yucca extract lowered total and LDL cholesterol in people with high cholesterol.