A method for treating a patient comprising, administering a therapeutic amount of the herbal composition of the Zizyphus jujube effective to prevent or ameliorate the effects of a condition selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, post-angioplasty restenosis, coronary artery disease, angina, and small artery disease or other disease caused by or as a result of hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia.