PURPOSE: A drug for alleviating hypercholesterolemia showing improved effects, having low toxicity, comprising epicatechin gallate and/or epigallocatechin gallate as an active ingredient.

CONSTITUTION: A drug for alleviating hypercholesterolemia containing epicatechin gallate (ECG) and/or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), preferably essence of tea leaves containing them extracted with a hydrous organic solvent, more preferably essence of them extracted with a hydrous alcohol or hydrous acetone, especially essence of them extracted with 50wt% hydrous methanol or a purified material of it, as an active ingredient. Both ECG and EGCG are extremely low toxic substances, for example, continuous administration of 25W100mg as the total amounts of both the substances per day to human exhibits improved hypercholesterolemia-alleviating action.