Aids / HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
See also :

• Infectious Diseases
• Immunological Disorders

Symptoms

During the initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the illness progresses, it interferes more and more with the immune system, making the person much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who have working immune systems.

Home remedies

• Justicia gendarussa shown promise as a source of a compound that inhibits an enzyme crucial to the development of HIV : Researchers said a newly-identified chemical called patentiflorin A, extracted from different parts of the plant, was more effective in inhibiting an HIV enzyme compared with the commercial drug azidothymidine (AZT).
• Astragalus acts as an immune booster in the treatment of HIV. It also offers benefits in preventing viral infections due to its immunostimulant effects, according to the Huntington College of Health Sciences. Astragalus is normally prescribed for the initial stage of HIV infection to prevent or retard the spread of retrovirus, a type of virus that causes AIDS.
• Hyssop : Patients with AIDS symptoms, have experienced incredible success and recovery as a result of taking hyssop, as the herb cleanses the blood.
• South African Geranium : Scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Germany have found that South African geranium plant extracts represent a potential new class of anti-HIV-1 agents for the treatment of AIDS.
• Marijuana : Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana, could help prevent HIV from spreading throughout the body, according to a recent study.
• some studies show suppressing of HIV-1 replication by Propolis.
• Coconut oil Research in the Philippines by Dr Conrato S Dayrit says "coconut oil does have an anti-viral effect and can beneficially reduce the viral load of HIV patients." Use it in daily cooking and take 6-12 tablespoons a day.
• Whole Lemon-Olive Oil drinking daily have reported remarkable improvements in some common symptoms of AIDS such as Wasting Syndrome (weight loss), Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) and Neuropathy (numbness).
• Essiac Tea has been shown to fight cancer and AIDS. Essiac tea : 52 parts Burdock Root (cut or dried) (parts by weight), 16 parts Sheep Sorrel (powdered), 1 part: Turkey Rhubarb (powdered) or 2 parts domestic Rhubarb, 4 parts: Slippery Elm (powdered).
• Oleander is noted as a supreme immune stimulator and for its success against cancer, HIV and other conditions. However, it appears that oleander is also a powerful immune-modulator, with many reports of it helping people with immune disorders. Note: only properly prepared non-toxic supplemental oleander extract should be used since the raw plant is quite toxic.
• Lemon Balm has antiviral activity against a variety of viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) and HIV-1
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum has therapeutic activity in HIV-associated oral candidiasis.
• Red Algae produce mannose-binding lectins, which allow the algae to protect themselves from invasion by viruses.
• Blue-green algae extracts inhibit reverse transcriptases activity, including that of HIV-1.
• Ozone therapy is used to treat AIDS.
• Thermotherapy : The therapeutic effects of heat include increasing the extensibility of collagen tissues; decreasing joint stiffness; reducing pain; relieving muscle spasms; reducing inflammation, edema and Aids / HIV in the post acute phase of healing.
• Ganoderma has been shown to strengthen immunity as well as combat cancer-cell proliferation.
• For many years it has been known that Green Tea polyphenols actively suppress many bacterial, fungal and viral species. On the virus front, green tea suppresses the adenovirus, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex, HIV-1 and influenza viruses.
• Aloe Vera : Research also showed aloe vera to possess antiviral polysaccharides, which enhance cell function. These preliminary findings led to more reports linking aloe vera to the treatment of AIDS : Aloe is to an AIDS patient such as insulin is to a diabetic.
• Licorice helps in slowing the progression of HIV to AIDS and studies show that licorice was able to reduce the reproduction of HIV in test tubes.
• Elderberries have antiviral properties : Scientists even used these powerful berries to help treat AIDS and cancer.
• IMOD is a herbal medicine developed by Russian and Iranian scientists, which is said to stop the spread of AIDS by strengthening immunity.
• Larch Arabinogalactan is used for infections, including the common cold, flu, H1N1 (swine) flu, ear infections in children, and HIV/AIDS.
• Kaempferol has shown anti-viral activity against several viruses including influenza virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Whey Protein concentrate supplementation can stimulate glutathione synthesis and, possibly, decrease the occurence of associated co-infections.
• Curcumin is an effective treatment for HIV-associated diarrhea.
• A polyphenol and antioxidant rich fruit and vegetable concentrate has therapeutic value in HIV patients due to enhanced proliferation, which could restore disturbances in T-cell homeostasis.
• Neem leaf extract safely increases CD4 cell levels in patients with HIV/AIDS.
• Selenium supplementation suppresses the progression of HIV-1 viral burden and improves CD4 count.
• Sumac (Rhus chinensis) contains compounds with anti-HIV activity.
• Lactoferrin (from milk) may inhibit HIV virus infection in children.
• The use of Alternanthera pungens herb tea by HIV-infected patients may lead to significant increase T lymphocytes and decrease in biomarkers of oxidative stress, and might help in the prevention of the opportunist diseases.
• Plasma antioxidant capacity can be increased by long-term ingestion of polyphenols from fruit juices or fruit-vegetable-concentrate in HIV-seropositive patients.
• American ginseng reduces oxidative stress in patients taking the antiviral medication zidovudine without altering drug pharmacokinetics.
• Korean ginseng improves treatment outcomes in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy.
• Glycyrrhiza uralensis (TCM herb) improves immune function in HIV-infected patients.
• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) has therapeutic activity as an ajunct to HIV/AIDS management.
• Lemon juice and lemongrass have therapeutic value in the treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients.
• Tea tree is an effective therapy for fluconazole-refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis.
• St. John's wort (H. perforatum) inhibits HIV-1 viral infection.
• Lignans found within Schisandra demonstrates anti-HIV virus activity.
• Seawead (S. fusiforme) inhibits HIV-1 infection in T cells, primary human macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes.
• Chrysanthemum morifolium contains a flavonoid with anti-HIV activity.
• Croton tiglium, Cynomorium songaricum, Xanthoceras sorbifolia, and oleanolic acid derivates exhibit anti-HIV activity.
• Pomegranate exhibits antiviral activity against HIV-1.
• A polysaccharide from Rooibois leaves has a strong anti-HIV activity.
• Rosa damascena contains compounds with anti-HIV activity.
• Rose flowers contain compounds with with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity.
• Carnosic acid, a component found within Rosemary, inhibits HIV-1 protease.
• Phyllanthus Niruri (syn. P. amarus) inhibit wild-type HIV virus and reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant variants.
• Calophyllum brasiliense and Clusia quadrangula exhibit HIV-1 inhibitory activity.
• Melissa, Sweet Basil, Perilla, Prunella vulgaris and Savory has potent anti-HIV-1 activity.
• Black Cohosh contains a compound Actein which exhibits potent anti-HIV activity.
• Salad Burnet : A research undertaken by a team of scientists in Spain have discovered that the extracts of garden burnet showed anti-HIV actions in vitro.
• Healing Saints : St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. Peregrine

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.