Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published November 23, 2023, Last updated November 23, 2023

Cholesterol is a natural and normal waxy substance present in our body. The human body needs cholesterol to form cells, vitamins and hormones. Therefore, it is essential but excess of cholesterol can harm a human as it tends to clog the arteries and can cause heart disease. The following 5 homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol are very effective –

1. Nux Vomica
2. Chelidonium
3. Cholestrinum
4. Allium Sativa
5. Terminalia Arjuna

   Before we detail the use and indications of these medicines for high cholesterol, let us understand a little more about cholesterol and its role in human body.

What is Cholesterol?

As I have mentioned in the first paragraph, cholesterol is a waxy substance which is present in the human body. It is a normal constituent of the body and not at all bad. Rather, it is necessary for the optimal functioning of the human body as it helps in production of vitamins, hormones and cells. It is only when it is present in excess that the problems start cropping up.

The human liver produces most of the cholesterol which we need. Some more cholesterol comes from the animal foods that we consume. This includes meat, poultry and dairy products. These foods are also rich in saturated and trans fats.

What are the different types of Lipids?

All cholesterol is not the same. We often call some cholesterol as good cholesterol and other as bad cholesterol. This depends upon the density of the lipids. The HDL or High Density Lipoproteins are good as they do not form plaques easily. The LDL ( low density lipoproteins) and VLDL ( very low density lipoproteins) are the trouble makers as thy clog the arteries. Therefore, our body should have healthy levels of HDL and lower levels of LDL and VLDL even while keeping the overall cholesterol levels in check. Triglycerides is another form of lipid.

What are the normal levels of Cholesterol?

The normal levels of different forms of cholesterol are as follows-

Total Cholesterol – less than 200 mg/dl

HDL – 40-60 mg/dl

LDL – 70 to 130 mg/dl

Triglycerides – 10-150 g/dl

What causes high cholesterol levels?

High cholesterol is primarily a cause of one’s lifestyle. Modern lifestyle with less and less of physical activity, more and more of rich diet leads to higher cholesterol levels. Major reasons for high cholesterol levels are as below-

• Lack of physical exercise – There is increased reliance on automobiles and machines which reduces physical effort of human beings.
• Increase in intake of junk food – higher and higher consumption of junk food which is very rich in fat and carbohydrates is leading to higher cholesterol levels.
• To add to it, there is increase in usage of stimulants like tobacco, alcohol and many derivatives of opioids. Smoking is a major risk factor and can cause increase in the cholesterol levels.
• Being overweight or obese is a major cause of high cholesterol levels.

What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

Under normal circumstances, there are hardly any symptoms of high cholesterol. One comes to know of the presence of high cholesterol levels during a routine blood test. It is only when it starts causing problems in other parts of the body that one starts getting symptoms.

• Atherosclerosis – Buildup of cholesterol plaques in your blood vessels can cause atherosclerosis.
• The plaque size grows and stops blood flow to sensitive areas like your heart or brain. This may cause a heart attack or a stroke.
• Increase resistance to blood flow in the blood vessels can cause your blood pressure to rise over a period of time.
• Peripheral arteries can become clogged and can cause intermittent claudication. You may have cramps while walking or exercising which improve when at rest. This is because blood flow reduces due to clogging of the peripheral arteries.

How can you manage High Cholesterol levels?

It is very important to understand the role of modern lifestyle in managing cholesterol levels. As I have mentioned earlier, the advent of technology means less and less physical activity for human beings. The trick is to understand this and reverse the whole paradigm. Just start doing more physical activity. Exercise regularly and the exercise should be a little bit muscular in nature. The muscles play a very important role in metabolism of glucose. More the muscle mass, more is the consumption of glucose even in resting phase. When there is increased uptake of glucose, lesser amount is available for the body to turn into fat. At the same time, exercise burns quite a bit of fat if it is done at the right pace. Keeping your heart rate at roughly 60-70% of your HRmax is the right pace when your body burns the maximum amount of fat.

Homeopathy for High Cholesterol or Hyperlipidemia

Homeopathy offers a much better alternative for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The biggest advantage is that you don’t have to keep taking these medicines for the rest of your lives. So you don’t remain dependent on medications. Another advantage of Homeopathy is that it does not have any side effects at all. Therefore, it is a much better choice for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and an informed choice.

5 Best Homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia

There are many homeopathic medicines that come into use for the treatment of high cholesterol. It is not possible to write down all of them here. One needs to closely observe the patient and the symptoms to decide the right medicine for each patient. Out of the many medicines commonly used, the following 5 homeopathic medicines for hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol are very effective in its treatment.

1. Nux Vomica – One of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol due to high living

2. Chelidonium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for hyperlipidemia due to liver disease

3. Cholestrinum – one of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol with anaemia

4. Allium Sativa – One of the best homeopathic remedies for hyperlipidemia due to high non veg intake

5. Terminalia Arjuna – One of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol with heart disease

Here, I am giving a few indications of each medicine which will help you understand how homeopathy individualizes in seemingly similar cases. These indications are not exhaustive at all. A homeopathic doctor would examine much more in each case before prescribing and often go beyond these remedies to treat a patient.

1. Nux Vomica – One of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol due to high living

When the hyperlipidemia is due to the modern lifestyle, Nux Vomica is one of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol. The patient leads a sedentary lifestyle and is quite likely to have a white collar job. Mental pressures and strains abound. Role of stimulants like wine, alcohol and smoking is also prominent. He is short tempered and a chilly patient.

2. Chelidonium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for hyperlipidemia due to liver disease

When the high cholesterol levels are due to liver disease, Chelidonium is one of the best homeopathic medicines for hyperlipidemia. This liver disease may have come about because of the excess intake of alcohol or fast food. There is pain in the right upper back. The tongue may be coated yellow and shows imprint of teeth. There is a desire to have hot drinks and hot food.

3. Cholestrinum – one of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol with anaemia

When anaemia is a concomitant symptom of high cholesterol levels, Cholestrinum is one of the best homeopathic medicines for hyperlipidemia. Breathlessness is another prominent indication. There is pain in sides and patient walks with his arm on the side.

4. Allium Sativa – One of the best homeopathic remedies for hyperlipidemia due to high non veg intake

When hyperlipidemia results from increased intake of non veg, Allium Sativa is one of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol. This medicine is made from garlic, which has a very high reputation in India for controlling cholesterol levels. It is a good vasodilator which increases the lumen of the arteries. There may be sweetish taste of saliva, more so after taking meals.

5. Terminalia Arjuna – One of the best homeopathic medicines for high cholesterol with heart disease

When symptoms of heart disease exist along with high cholesterol levels, Terminalia Arjuna is one of the best homeopathic medicines for hyperlipidemia. It is a herb famous in India for treating heart disease. Ayurveda uses it extensively and so does Homeopathy. Sense of suffocation is often present. Vertigo and angina pectoris are also common symptoms present in most patients.