Herbal Remedy for Cholesterol

I was recently asked for a natural or herbal remedy for cholesterol. There is one that comes immediately to mind, it's even been called cholesterol's natural remedy, and that is garlic.

Eating garlic regularly can help control cholesterol levels, so can taking garlic supplements. (Follow the manufacturer's directions, if you are using a supplement.) Eating one garlic clove daily has significantly improved cholesterol levels in test subjects. (Eating one half onion daily also improved levels.) Raw garlic has a stronger effect, it seems more effective if it is crushed a few minutes before eating. If the taste of raw garlic is too much for you, even eating food cooked with garlic will help, although the effect will be less.

Garlic also has antibiotic properties, and has been used that way in many different cultures. It also helps lower blood pressure, and has been used for colds and flu, especially to help with respiratory problems.

A note of caution, garlic helps keep platelets from sticking, and can thin the blood; it should be used with caution if you are taking blood thinners of any kind. A clove a day should not be a problem, but it is best to check with your doctor.

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Garlic, the Stinking Rose

Garlic is valued world wide as both a culinary and a medicinal herb.

There is a lot of research that points to its ability to reduce cholesterol levels, in fact, one company that manufactures a garlic supplement refers to garlic as "cholesterol's natural enemy."

The health benefits of garlic are much wider than just affecting cholesterol.

Garlic enjoys a considerable reputation as an immune booster, said to prevent colds and flu, and to shorten recovery time if you catch a cold or flu.

There is also research which demonstrates garlic has the ability to prevent blood clots. (If you are about to have any surgery, discuss with your doctor any herbs you may be taking, and especially those like garlic which affect blood clotting.)

There is some disagreement about taking garlic as a raw herb or supplement, and also whether you lose health benefits if you cook the garlic clove. In my opinion, garlic is useful in all these forms. The standardized supplements will not have identical effects as garlic cloves; raw garlic has different effects than cooked garlic. There are health benefits to all these forms, use it any way you like.

I enjoy cooking with garlic, and frequently add it to soups, stews and sauces; I also include raw garlic in salads and find supplements convenient when travelling.


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herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies