[The status of herbal antilipemic agents]

A favourable effect on serum lipids may be achieved with herbal medicinal products, if they are administered at sufficient high dosages and sufficient long term use. Their efficacy is not so strong than that documented for chemically defined products, however their tolerability is superior. Maximal effects are more than that of a strong lipid lowering diet, however, lipid lowering herbal drugs are Allium sativum L., Cynara scolymus L., Curcumae longa L. All of them exert some more beneficial effects, which suggest to be an advantageous alternative for patients. This contribution gives a brief review and an assessment of the suitability of herbal medicinal preparations for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.