Herbs & Alternative Medicine

Fenugreek is an herb that is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. Its leaves and seeds have been used as a culinary spice and for medicinal purposes. Fenugreek seeds contain protein, vitamin C,...

Garlic has long been known to provide a variety of health benefits. While the effectiveness of taking garlic in tablet form is unproven, there are a wide range of potential benefits.

Alfalfa is an herb that grows up to three feet and has violet or yellow flowers with spiraling seed pods. This herb originated from the Middle East, and was brought to the United States from...

Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is a type of cholesterol that can lead to a build up of plaque in the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can, in turn, adversely affect...

Cultivated by both the early Greeks and Romans, the artichoke remains a popular vegetable for both its unique taste and numerous health benefits. Artichoke leaf extract is even used as an herbal...

Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is a substance made in the body. CoQ10's function in the body is to create adenosine-5-triphosphate, which will help muscle contraction and the process of...

According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 98.6 million adults in the United States have blood cholesterol levels of 200mg/dL or above. Levels between 200 and 239 are considered...

One of the keys to improving blood circulation is to thin the blood out. This can be done by lowering one's cholesterol intake, but taking herbal extracts can also be very effective. While these...

Saponins are essentially a type of chemical substance, one of the numerous structures that are discovered in natural sources. In certain types of plants, saponins come in great numbers. Similarly,...

Sitosterol, or beta-sitosterol, is an extract from plants, fruits and vegetables. Despite its effectiveness in lowering cholesterol and treating prostate enlargement, sitosterol poses a risk for...

Sterols are healthy fats found in plants. Regular consumption of 2-3 g of plant sterols a day may help to prevent heart disease and strengthen the immune system. The average American diet includes...

Guggul, with the botanical name Commiphora mukul, is a flowering tree that grows naturally in India. It is a remedy in the traditional medicine of India called Ayurveda. An extract of resin from...

It seems the grocery store shelves are stocked these days with a plethora of high fiber products. Choosing just the right product can be a daunting task. If you prefer a natural and easy method to...

Psyllium, or "plantago ovata" by its scientific denomination, is an annual herb that comes from India, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Spain and the Canary Islands. It is often found on the...

The heady aromas of an Italian restaurant tempt us all. Everyone loves to eat buttery, toasted garlic bread, pastas and casseroles oozing with garlic flavor. The benefits of garlic may exceed just...

Konjac is a plant that is found in China, Japan and Indonesia. The plant is part of the genus Amorphophallus. Typically, it thrives in the warmer regions of Asia. The extract of the Konjac root is...

High cholesterol affects both men and women, and can become a serious health issue. High cholesterol can lead to things like heart attacks, strokes and in many cases, death. Controlling...

Red yeast rice is often used in the treatment of cholesterol. Red yeast rice is the product of yeast grown on rice, and the resulting compounds are known as monacolins. Studies have shown that...

Gymnema sylvestre (often shortened to gymnema) is a popular herbal component of Ayurveda. Practitioners advise the use of gymnema for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, inflammation, high...

Your heart pumps blood every day. The pressure created by your heart when it pushes blood against the walls of your arteries is called blood pressure. When this pressure becomes elevated and...

Red yeast rice is an all-natural, herbal supplement that reduces your cholesterol in a safe and easy way. There are other benefits to using the supplement; it's said to help users lead a more...

Millions of Americans are searching for a way to lower their cholesterol. Though cholesterol has some good benefits, high cholesterol is a leading risk factor for coronary artery disease. While a...

High cholesterol is a factor in developing heart disease. Prescription medications are typically prescribed to lower blood cholesterol levels, but there are some herbal and alternative treatments...

Red yeast and pantethine are two dietary supplements that have been found to be effective in lowering cholesterol levels. While both products are relatively safe and free of side effects, some...

Many adult Americans have high cholesterol levels. Generally, cholesterol levels rise with age, and high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Herbal cholesterol reducers...

Acai juice, from the acai berry, is an elite super food that is chockfull of health benefits. Aside from its high nutritional value, acai benefits extend to cosmetic purposes. Acai berries were...

Although you can buy many books about "natural cures", as I have, there are few that really work, using mostly standard items in your local grocery store, or simple supplements you can...

Red yeast rice has come under scrutiny in the past few years due to claims that it helps lower cholesterol naturally. Soon after red yeast rice first appeared in natural health food stores, it was...

Blood pressure is the force of blood exerting effort against the walls of the arteries as your heart pumps out blood throughout your body. If this pressure becomes elevated and remains high over...

Cordyceps translates to "winter bug summer herb" in Chinese. Its use as a medicinal herb dates back at least 700 years in traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that grows...

Cordyceps sinensis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 700 years. It is a parasitic fungus that preys on caterpillars in the wild, but is now cultivated on wood and soybeans...

Cholesterol, a fat-like substance, is vitally important for a healthy body. One of cholesterol's roles in the body is as a building block for hormones and Vitamin D. However, an elevated level of...

The effects of an elevated cholesterol level can range from minimal to fatal. High levels of LDL---or "bad"---cholesterol can result in high blood pressure, a heart attack or even coronary heart...

People in the world today are always on the go and moving at a fast pace. They drive fast, and also east fast which usually means fast food. This is one of the main reasons why the country is...

Just as garlic was said to ward off vampires in earlier times, many believe it can do the same thing to cholesterol. It has long been touted as a remedy for high cholesterol, but just as vampires...

Though countless drugs exist to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, many people swear by natural, herbal remedies. Scientists have actually found some evidence for the benefits attributed to...

This article is to let you know how to use cinnamon and honey for everyday uses. These two items cure almost everything with very little side effects. Even diabetic patients can use without harm.

Beta Sitosterol is a plant-derived phytosterol, or steroid alcohol, that occurs naturally in many plants and nuts. You can raise your beta sitosterol intake without buying supplements by...

Known scientifically as Monascus purpureus, red rice yeast produces the main ingredient in a powerful and widely prescribed cholesterol medication. A growing number of studies support the use of...

Psyllium husk is a popular natural ingrediant in laxatives, and is used for constipation. According to MedlinePlus, a joint project between the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National...

Pumpkin seed oil has been used by Native Americans for generations as an amazing alternative medicine for a wide variety of ills. Its benefits are many, spanning a wide variety of illness-blocking...

Phytosterols are plant compounds that form the membranes of cells, a role similar to that of cholesterol in animals. Intake of phytosterols helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Phytosterols are...

Wild yam is commonly indicated for feminine health, yet it has a wide range of medicinal benefits for both men and women. It grows as a vine in Asia, North America and Mexico, and its rhizome and...

This is a 100% sure way to lower your cholesterol. It is healthy and easy and takes no time at all. Take care of your body the natural way with my helpful home remedy!

Used for centuries throughout Asia, ginger root is a popular herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. Often cooked in food, it was considered a natural healing medicine, often given to those...

Flaxseed oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids the body requires to maintain health and vitality. One of these acids is omega 3, which is responsible for a number of health benefits when...

Milk thistle extract is widely used for its healing effects on the liver. While it boasts a number of other positive side effects, it is often used to counter the harmful effects of alcohol and...

Bee pollen contains essentially all of the nutrients required by the human body. Made up primarily of protein and amino acids, bee pollen enhances proper muscle development and organ repair....

Taken from the bark of French Maritime pine trees, Pycnogenol is known for its wide array of health benefits. Primarily taken as a food supplement, it can dramatically increase overall wellbeing...

Elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is known to be the cause of plaque buildup in the arteries, resulting in restricted blood flow to vital organs in the body. This leads to heart...