Cholesterol spots or deposits known as xanthelasma are noticed around your eyes. They are bumps of fat that develop underneath your skin, usually in the inner canthus of the upper eyelid. One of the main causes of xanthelasma is a high level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol) in the body, along with other factors like genetics, diabetes, liver disease and other conditions. Hence, people who have high cholesterol, cirrhosis or diabetes are at a higher risk of developing this problem and more common among people who are between 40 and 60 years old.

These cholesterol deposits do not cause pain or itching, but they may impede vision or look ugly if the bumps grow large enough. If the affected area is very close to the eyes, surgery is not a recommended treatment as it leads to scarring, which can be as upsetting as the appearance of the bump itself. Laser treatment is another possibility, but it also has the risk of scarring.

What are the causes of xanthelasma?

It is important to find out the cause of your xanthelasma such as high cholesterol, cirrhosis or diabetes genetics or other cause/s and plan the treatment accordingly. For instance, if the cause is high cholesterol in the blood, then you need to take steps to reduce your cholesterol level first before going for local external application.

What the internal remedies for reducing cholesterol:

The local applications of any kind will only help you when you are taking care of the internal root cause/s through herbs, Niacin tablets, diet (two meals a day), and regular exercise to lower your bad cholesterol deposition.

1) Lower your cholesterol: To lower your cholesterol, eat Garlic in different forms like tablets, tea, add to your cooking, chutney and pickle because there is an evidence that a bioactive compound called  allicin in garlic is thought to contribute to reduce cholesterol level. It reduces LDL level and increases HDL level in your body. It has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and improves immunity, reduces blood pressure. Allicin is diluted when cooked, so the ideal way to ingest garlic is to eat 1 to 2 raw cloves in a day and on an empty stomach.

2) Moringa powder: It is used to protect tissue (liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs), and to reduce pain. Moringa contains a range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, such as quercetin, which may help protect cardiovascular health. A study found that Moringa not only reduced LDL levels, but also raised HDL levels. Add 1 tsp Moringa power to a glass of water and drink (add some lemon juice for taste) it in between two meals: breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner. You can also add it to yogurt or buttermilk with little salt to make it taste better.

3) Arjuna Churna - It is best for your heart and heart rates and digestion. Arjuna bark (Chaal) is found to be useful in managing high cholesterol level. Due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it lowers the level of total blood cholesterol, bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. Add 1 tsp Arjuna powder to a glass of water and boil it for 5 minutes. Filter the water and drink (if you want you can add little honey after it cools off not when it is hot) it like a tea with empty stomach twice a day.

4) Prepare a mixture of three herbs: Mix Arjun Powder, Triphala powder and Fenugreek powder in 2:1:1 ratio. Store this mixture in an airtight container. Use 3 to 5 grams (1/2 to 1sp) of this mixture in a glass of water and soak it overnight. In the morning, boil it nicely until it becomes half in quantity and drink it like a tea with empty stomach twice a day for 3 months.  For your night drink soak the mixture in a glass of water in the morning, make its concoction in the evening, and drink it an hour before your dinner for best results. If necessary after 3 months, give a gap of 15 days, you can start it again but you will see best result after first month only.

5) Bhoomi Amla powder: Use this powder for any of your indigestion issues, gas, blotting and it also helps in lowering your cholesterol level. It is a very powerful herb for your liver problems. Take ½ tsp of Bhoomi Amla powder twice a day after meals. You can just eat the powder and drink water or mix it in honey and eat it.

6) Niacin Tablets: Take 500mg tablet two to three times a day either before or after meals at least for 2 months.

What are the best external or local applications?

1) Take Castor oil and Apple Cider Vinegar in 1:1 ratio, apply it the affected area, and give it a good massage and leave it there overnight and rinse it off in the morning. If possible, you can do it twice a day. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil helps shrink the cholesterol deposits.

2) Apply Kumkumadi oil for any problems on the face like blemishes, wrinkles dry skin etc., if you are not comfortable with oil then use Kumkumadi cream to your entire face and just pay attention to the affected area and give it a good massage

3)  Apply garlic paste to the affected area, as it is the best and most popular home treatment for xanthelasma. The enzymes present in garlic help flatten the small, bumpy deposits. Using garlic in cooking is also beneficial for reducing a high cholesterol level in the body.

4. Fenugreek seeds paste is also effective at flattening cholesterol deposits bumps. Use it until they disappear completely.

6. Use Banana Peels to dissolve the cholesterol deposits around your eyes in a safe and natural manner, banana peels are very effective since strong antioxidant properties and the enzymes in it help dissolve the bumpy deposits naturally.

What are other tips for lowering cholesterol?

·         Lower your cholesterol by taking 4 herbs as mentioned above.

·         Consume only two meals a day, lunch between 10-12 am and dinner between 6 to 7pm. You can eat some fruits or lights snacks in between lunch and dinner but not after dinner except water so that body can heal itself. Do this every day in life otherwise treatment would be hard if you do not do this.

·         Go for Kapha Diet by eating mostly homemade food and avoiding fried and fatty items, chocolates and sugar

·         Exercise - walking, jogging, Yoga or any physical activities for 45 minutes at least 5 days a week.

What are the Homeopathic remedies for xanthelasma?

·         Pulsatilla Nigricans is the best homeopathic medicine for those who eat more junk and bakery foods.

·         Cardus Marianus is a remedy for people who drink beer and alcohol and has fatty liver and xanthelasma issue.

·         Allium Sativum mother tincture 5 drops in a ½ glass water 3 times a day for few weeks will lower the cholesterol level

·         Cholesterinum controls cholesterol level in blood. It is also used as treating liver cancer.