Living with carotid atherosclerosis means dealing with a buildup of plaque in the arteries of the neck. This buildup can restrict blood flow and poses risks to heart and brain health. Researchers looked at how adding oral Chinese herbal medicine to standard treatments affects these conditions.
In a review of data from over 3,000 patients, the results showed that this herbal addition helped reduce the size of carotid plaque and the thickness of the artery walls. It also improved lipid metabolism, which means it helped lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol.
While the results are promising, the evidence is not yet definitive. The study noted that the quality and variety of the original trials were inconsistent. However, the herbal treatment did not appear to cause more side effects than standard care alone and did not harm liver or kidney function. Talk to your doctor to see if this approach fits your specific health needs.
