High Cholesterol (adjunctive care)
Also known as: hyperlipidaemia, high cholesterol, dyslipidaemia, high blood fats
High cholesterol and other raised blood fats quietly raise cardiovascular risk; statins, diet and exercise are the evidence-based core of care. Chinese medicine frames it as phlegm-damp and food stagnation accumulating in the vessels, with liver constraint and spleen weakness as the usual drivers. Herbal and acupuncture support may assist metabolism and lifestyle change alongside — never instead of — prescribed treatment.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Follow the dietary plan agreed with your GP or dietitian — food is the first-line treatment.
- •Move most days; brisk walking counts.
- •Do not stop prescribed statins for herbal therapy — discuss any herbs with your prescriber.
- •Review alcohol intake; it raises blood fats.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Never replace statins or prescribed lipid therapy with herbal products.[]
- •Report muscle aches on statins before attributing them to herbs.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Recheck lipids at 3 months alongside lifestyle progress (weight, waist, activity, diet). Adjust the herbal approach by pattern changes.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- Victorian Government · 2024
- NICE · 2023
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.