Policosanol is a chemical most often obtained from sugar cane. It can also be made from other plants, such as wheat.

Policosanol is most commonly used for leg pain during exercise due to poor blood flow (intermittent claudication). It is also used for high cholesterol and heart disease, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
 
How does it work ?
Policosanol seems to decrease cholesterol production in the liver and to increase the breakdown of LDL (low-density lipoprotein or "bad") cholesterol. It might also help HDL (high-density lipoprotein or "good") cholesterol work better. Policosanol also decreases the stickiness of cells in the blood known as platelets.