Cholesterol healing herbs & recipes
Cholesterol is vital to our bodies. It supports cell membrane growth, manufactures vitamin D, and produces estrogen and other key hormones. The liver and intestines produce (cholesterol) this waxy substance and send it into the bloodstream. On its travels, helpful cholesterol, called highdensity lipoprotein (HDL), delivers its goods.
It also picks up some harmful
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and returns it to the liver for elimination. Some LDL, however, continues traveling through the bloodstream. The waxy substance carries with it large amounts of fat, in a package that is toxic to cells and clogs arteries, leading to heart attack and stroke. LDL may be hard to control if you’ve inherited the propensity for high levels; but for many, exercise and a plant-based diet rich in herbs will help keep cholesterol within a healthy range.
Cholesterol healing herbs:
Astragalus • Burdock • Cacao • Cinnamon • Dandelion • Hawthorn • Hibiscus • Oats • Reishi • Tea • Turmeric
OTHER HERBS Flaxseed • Psyllium
Strawberry psyllium cholesterol Smoothie
Psyllium husks mixed with liquid form a gel that binds cholesterol to the intestine and keeps it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Fruits are constant cholesterol fighters.
1 large or 2 small servings
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
½ cup plain Greek yogurt 1 cup fresh strawberries 1 cup frozen strawberries ½ frozen banana 1 tablespoon psyllium husks Water
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
1. Add the yogurt, fresh strawberries, frozen strawberries, banana, and psyllium to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Add water as needed to adjust the consistency.
ALTERNATIVE:
Add 1 tablespoon of dark cocoa powder to ramp up the recipe’s cholesterol moderating effect.
NOTE: Drink an 8-ounce glass of water after you take psyllium, to aid in its digestion.
HAWTHORN FRUIT LEATHER
Hawthorn is a deeply nourishing tonic for the heart and helps balance blood pressure. So many people have hawthorn trees in their yards, it’s easy to collect the berries. 2 servings
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
1½ cups fresh hawthorn berries ½ cup blackberries
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
1. Collect a basket of hawthorn berries, enough for 1½ cups, then de-stem and rinse them.
2. Place the hawthorn berries and blackberries in a glass bowl and use a potato masher to grind them into a pulp.
3. Use the back of a spoon to push the pulp through a strainer to remove the seeds, making a smooth berry paste.
4. Using a spatula, spread the paste on a parchment paper lined baking pan to a thickness of about ⅛ inch.
5. Dry the paste in the oven at 125°F, or the lowest setting, with the door slightly open for up to 5 hours.
The paste should be flexible enough that you can peel the edges back from the parchment paper.
6. Cut the leather into strips with scissors and store it in airtight zippered plastic bags.
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