Policosanol

Policosanol is the generic term for a mixture of long chain alcohols extracted from plant waxes. It is used as a dietary supplement.

== History == Policosanol was originally derived from sugar cane but the chemicals can also be isolated from beeswax, cereal grains, grasses, leaves, fruits, nuts, and seeds of many foods. Plant waxes consist of long chain alkanes and their derivatives, including long chain fatty acids and alcohols. Policosanols are very long chain alcohols with carbon backbones ranging from 24 to 34 carbons.