If you have high cholesterol, you can lower your cholesterol levels by 20% by making good dietary changes. You can lower those levels some more either with the help of medications or natural treatments. There are many herbs known for their ability to lower cholesterol, and many are finding they work well.

Garlic is an all-around medicinal herb; it has numerous medicinal uses. Aside from its anti-viral and antibiotic properties, garlic is known to help lower cholesterol also. It is said that taking one clove of garlic a day can lower LDL levels (the bad cholesterol) by as much as 15%, and it also helps increase HDL levels (the good cholesterol). Garlic has also been found to lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels. In some parts of Europe, garlic has received the official stamp of approval as a remedy for high cholesterol. Concerned about the bad garlic odor? Not to worry; you can take garlic in the form of odorless capsules.

Alfalafa is a popular salad topper. It is a rich source of saponins (55% higher than other plants), a substance that attaches itself to cholesterol. This action keeps the body from absorbing cholesterol. An amazing thing about alfalfa is that it fights cholesterol selectively. It reduces LDL levels and boosts HDL. If you're unable to stand the taste of alfalfa, you can have it in a salad or sandwich. You can also buy a bottle of alfalfa sprout extract (not root extract because it has low saponin content) and take the recommended dose.

Gugulipid comes from the resin of the mukul tree, which is found in the plains of India. Gugulipid has been found to work effectively in reducing total and LDL cholesterol levels. The people in India have been using gugulipid to lower elevated levels of cholesterol. The great thing about gugulipid is that it literally has no side effects.

Psyllium is known as the active ingredient in Metamucil, which is the fiber supplement used for constipation. However, many studies have been conducted on psyllium's efficacy to lower cholesterol levels. In one double-blind study in 1997, subjects that took 10g of psyllium daily reduced their LDL cholesterol by 9%. Add 5g to 10g of psyllium to your diet to reduce LDL cholesterol.

Fenugreek is an herb that is commonly used in Asian cultures. In clinical trials, fenugreek has been found to lower LDL and triglycerides in the blood without affecting HDL levels. Five to 30mg of fenugreek in every meal is recommended. If in tincture form, the recommended dosage is 3ml to 4ml thrice a day.

Although they aren't herbs, nuts need to be mentioned for their cholesterol-fighting properties. According to research, people who eat nuts like pistachios, macadamia, and hazelnuts tend to experience a dramatic reduction of heart disease risk.