Lowering Cholesterol with Chinese Medicine

Hyperlipidemia

Or high cholesterol, can be an inherited condition, however, very often it occurs due diet and lifestyle. Though cholesterol is needed to build healthy cells, too much cholesterol can be detrimental to your long term health. With high cholesterol, your blood vessels develop fatty deposits making it difficult for blood to circulate properly through your arteries. High cholesterol is also associated with increased risk of heart conditions, heart attacks and stroke. High cholesterol is detected in a routine blood test. Please be sure to see your primary care provider regularly for prevention of this condition.

HDL vs LDL: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as good cholesterol as it transports cholesterol to the liver to be broken down and released from the body while, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as bad cholesterol which builds up in your artery walls, as mentioned above. Feel free to scroll to the bottom of this post for products, discount codes and source citations.

Acupuncture

A 2007 study investigating the use of Electro-acupuncture (EA) at acupuncture point Fenglong (ST40) in mice resulted in the same hypocholesterolemic effect as the medication, simvastatin. This study determined that this treatment regulated the expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism in the liver, while also affecting the expression of genes involved in signal transduction, transcription regulation, cell cycle, cell adhesion, immunity and stress. (Li & Zhang)

An additional study published in 2012, also looked at cholesterol lowering effects of EA on ST40. It was determined that it enhances the expression of certain genes that play a major role in the nitric oxide (NO) transduction process. (Li et. al) NO is important in maintaining healthy blood vessels, blood pressure and overall heart health. (Cleveland Hearth lab, 2017)

In Chinese Medicine, ST40 is located on the lower leg, on the stomach meridian. Some of its functions are: “Transforms Phlegm & Dampness, Calms the Spirit, Clears Phlegm in the Heart Channel, Clears Stomach Fire & Heat, Dispels Wind & Phlegm, Drains Bad Qi From Lungs, Invigorates Collaterals, Opens the Chest, Regulates Stomach & Intestines, Sedates Asthma” (Roast Duck Producktion). Clinically, it is used to encourage the body to metabolize phlegm, unwanted fluid build up and inflammation, especially in the chest and digestive system. It is also known for being used for emotional imbalances and disturbances.

Green Tea

In many cultures, green tea is taken with meals. In my family, it is known for its ability to help with gallstones and help with the breakdown of fats. This is because I grew up with Filipino heritage and though not all Filipino foods are fatty and greasy, the ones we love to eat in my family as comfort foods are …very fatty and greasy!

Studies on green tea (lu cha) do show that it can reduce cholesterol significantly. In a 2007 animal study, results suggested that green tea lowered plasma, liver and aortic cholesterol by upregulating the hepatic LDL receptor. (Bursill et al.) Another study published in 2003 determined that green tea is an effective adjunct to a low fat diet to reduce LDL in adults with high cholesterol. (Maron, et al.) In 2011 meta-analysis and systemic review of studies on green tea and its effects on cholesterol on humans showed that it did, in fact lower LDL.

Pu’er Tea

Pu’er tea is made from the same leaves of the camellia sinsensis plant, as oolong, green tea and black tea. What makes pu’er tea different is that it the leaves are fermented and traditionally from Yunnan province. The longer the fermentation of pu’er, the higher quality it is. This type of tea is often sold in large bricks or cakes. Drinking tea to accompany meals is quite common. Pu’er is known to aid digestion, especially with greasier meals like dim sum or yum cha.

A randomized control double-blind trial, that was published in 2016 had participants take 3g of pu’er tea extract a day for 20 weeks. It was determined that the consumption of daily pu’er resulted in a lower lipid profile and a decrease in LDL, only after the 4 week mark. (Jensen et. al) A 1986 study on rats did show that regular consumption of pu’er tea stimulated the breakdown of triglyceride in adipose tissue. (Sano et. al)

In 2019, Huang et al. looked more closely at the underlying mechanism of pu’er’s cholesterol reducing effects. It was concluded in this study that “theabrownin, one of the most active and abundant pigments in pu’er alters the gut microbiota in mice and humans.” It also plays a role in bile salt metabolism which makes it easier for your body to digest fats. It [Theabrownin] also causes an increase liver production and excretion of bile acids, cholesterol reduction of hepatic cholesterol and decreased lipogenesis.

Hawthorn Berry

Hawthorn Berry, Shan zha, is known for its hypolipidemic effects. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been known for its ability to reduce food stagnation and transform accumulation by encouraging the breakdown of meat and greasy foods. Another important function of shan zha is its ability to break down blood stasis and cholesterol build up, thereby being useful for certain heart conditions.

A 2002 study done on rabbits suggest that it [hawthorn berry] decreases serum cholesterol by the inhibition of cholesterol absorption. (Zhang et al.) A study published in 2010, studied more closely, hawthorn’s ability to lower cholesterol. Two components within hawthorn berry, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, were found to be responsible for the cholesterol lowering effects. Their mechanism of action being the ability to inhibit acylCoA:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT) activity. ACAT converts cholesterol to cholesteryl esters and is important in the regulation of cellular cholesterol balance. (Lin et. al)

Cassia Seed

In TCM, Cassia seed, or jue mingzi has been used to treat liver conditions related to the eyes, dizziness, as well as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A 2007 study looked closely at the effects of the soluble fibers from cassia seeds on rats that were fed a high-cholesterol diet. The results showed that cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced. This study also showed that the cassia seed soluble fibers increased fecal bile acid and lipid excretion.

This information is for educational purposes and not meant to be taken as medical advice. In TCM, each person is assessed individually. Though many people can have high cholesterol levels on their routine blood tests, the reasons your body is showing up this way can vary from person to person. We all live different lifestyles, eat different diets, have different exercise routines and different genetics. It is important to speak with a knowledgeable TCM herbalist before taking herbs you are unfamiliar with especially if it can interact with your medications or medical conditions.

Products

Below are affiliate links to products that contain the herbs mentioned above. These links will take you to the Kamwo Store website.

Kamwo’s Pu’er Tea

Green tea capsules

Yuzu green tea

Green tea with cherry blossoms

Cholesterol Support capsules

Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM 9/4/23

You might also be interested in reading: 5 Benefits of Hawthorn Berry, 5 Chinese Herbs for Coughing

Use the code ‘PREPARE’ for $20 off an already discounted acupuncture 3 pack

Sources:

American Dragon (website), Shan Zha and Jue Ming Zi

Bursill CA, Abbey M, Roach PD. (2007) A green tea extract lowers plasma cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and upregulating the LDL receptor in the cholesterol-fed rabbit. Atherosclerosis. Jul;193(1):86-93. Epub 2006 Sep 12.

Cleveland Heartlab (2017) Nurturing Nitric Oxide: The Hearth-Healthy Chemical in our Blood Vessels, Cleveland Hearth Lab Website April, 11 2017

Huang, F., Zheng, X., Ma, X. et al. (2019) Theabrownin from Pu-erh tea attenuates hypercholesterolemia via modulation of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Nature Communications 10, 4971

Jensen GS, Beaman JL, He Y, Guo Z, Sun H. (2016) Reduction of body fat and improved lipid profile associated with daily consumption of a Puer tea extract in a hyperlipidemic population: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Clin Interv Aging. Mar 24;11:367-76.

Kim A, Chiu A, Barone MK, Avino D, Wang F, Coleman CI, Phung OJ. (2011) Green tea catechins decrease total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of American Dietetic Association Nov;111(11):1720-9

Li, L., Tan, GH. & Zhang, YZ. (2012)Modulated expression of genes associated with NO signal transduction contributes to the cholesterol-lowering effect of electro-acupuncture. Biotechnology Letters 34, 1175–1182

Li M, Zhang Y. (2007) Modulation of gene expression in cholesterol-lowering effect of electroacupuncture at Fenglong acupoint (ST40): a cDNA microarray study. Int J Mol Med. 2007 Apr;19(4):617-29.

Lin Y, Vermeer MA, Trautwein EA. (2011) Triterpenic Acids Present in Hawthorn Lower Plasma Cholesterol by Inhibiting Intestinal ACAT Activity in Hamsters. Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine. 2011:801272.

Maron DJ, Lu GP, Cai NS, et al. (2003) Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of a Theaflavin-Enriched Green Tea Extract: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Archives of Internal Medicine 163(12):1448–1453

Sano M, Takenaka Y, Kojima R, Saito S, Tomita I, Katou M, Shibuya S. (1986) Effects of pu-erh tea on lipid metabolism in rats. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). Jan;34(1):221-8.

The Acupuncture Point Book, Roast Duck Producktion page 112

Zhang Z, Ho WK, Huang Y, James AE, Lam LW, Chen ZY. (2002) Hawthorn fruit is hypolipidemic in rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet. Journal of Nutrition Jan;132(1):5-10.