Are there any herbs you recommend to people with HIV?

[Guest guest]

Hi there! Traditional was among the very earliest

among alternative medicines used to treat AIDS. At first, it was

acupuncture, followed by Chinese Herbal Medicines, with The Quan Yin

Project in San Francisco as the first and largest.

 

In Vancouver, inspired by the Quan Yin Project, a clinical trial began in 1990,

spanning several years and a few hundred patients. The herbal formulas

used here were based upon very old hepatitis formulas, and those for

wasting diseases.

Antiviral herbs (like viola, honeysuckle, etc.) were combined with immune

stimulating herbs (licorice, and various fungus,

etc.), and the combination approach is rather typical. We found that

ordinary doses did not work at all with PWA's, and that dose was

critical, with a refining process used to strengthen the medication.

 

This improvement produced fairly significant results, aleviating

symptoms, with some clinical changes (WBC's, RBC's, liver functions in

particular). Some small improvements in CD4's, in patients with higher

numbers, but not those with lower. Then, there was no viral load

measure, so we have no data on that. Overall, great improvements to

quality of life, but no cure. There are a number of formulas being used

in T.C.M. to treat AIDS, and several conferences on the subject.

 

It's common for Westerners to ask which herb can be used for HIV disease, but

it's the combinations, honed by centuries of experience, that's most

valuable for PWA's.

 

With confidence, the progression of the illness can be slowed, and health

improved significantly. Remember: dose is critical to achieving good results.

 

Vancouver's clinical trial concluded some years ago, and the medication is no

longer available.

There are other sources. Revivo is a product (refined herbal compound:

Arcticum lappa, Hypericum japonicum, Baphicanthis rhizome, Prunella

vulgaris, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Lithospermum rythrorhizon, Coix

semen, Zizphus jujuba, Semen armeniacae, Fuctus lycii, Nelumbo nucifera,

porphyra tenera) which has promise, available from China from

http://natureproducts.net

This formula has some similarities with the one used here, but is unique. It's

really bitter, an instant tea, and I

can confirm clinical effects are good. There's other products out

there too, but many are just powdered herbs, encapsulated--likely of

insufficient strength. T.C.M. has a history with PWA's, worth a good

look. Steve

 

JoAnn Guest wrote:

 

> Today's Question

> Are there any herbs you recommend to people with HIV?

>

> -- Anonymous

>

> Today's Answer

> (Published 12/01/1998)

>

> Yes, there are several herbs and herbal preparations that I've seen

> help people with HIV remain healthy. But before I get into them by

> name, I want to stress how important it is for you to find a doctor

> who will work with you to tailor a treatment program that's

> appropriate for your specific case. As HIV infection progresses, you

> can develop opportunistic diseases that require careful attention.

> Some popular herbs may be useless against them, while others that

> you may not have heard of might be very useful.

>

> That said, I'd also like to make a point of warning you that there

> are a lot of unscrupulous " doctors " out there

> (especially on the Web) who take advantage of desperate patients by

> hawking " natural cures " for AIDS that have no basis in science and

> are simply fraudulent.

>

> Not only does this harm people with HIV, it can also discredit the

> work many are doing to promote bona fide alternatives to mainstream

> medicine.

> For example, scanning the Web I found practitioners of Ayurvedic

> medicine selling herbal " cures " for HIV infection that include

> ashwagandha.

>

> Watch out for these, because while ashwagandha in particular and

> Ayurvedic medicine in general are legitimate treatments, the claim

> that they are cures for AIDS is medically irresponsible and

> unethical.

>

> Many people I know who have lived with HIV for years have relied, in

> part, on herbs, together with healthy diets and lifestyles,

> including positive mental states.

>

> Two herbal remedies I recommend to strengthen the immune system are

> astragalus, (Astragalus membranaceous)

> and the mushroom known as maitake or hen-of-the-woods (Grifola

> frondosa).

>

> You can find both of these tonics in health food stores. The

> National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine has

> funded research into the effectiveness of herbs used in traditional

> Chinese medicine as a treatment for people with HIV, with

> encouraging results. So you might want to ask your doctor to help

> you with research into this area as well.

>

> The current research in herbal treatments for HIV is new and

> dynamic, but there has been a lot of interesting data to support it.

>

> That's why, again, it's important to have a physician who is

> comfortable with these varied modalities and understands how natural

> medicines can work to strengthen your immune system. Such a

> partnership will help you make the best decisions.

>

> www.drweil.com

> _________________

> JoAnn Guest

> mrsjoguest

> DietaryTipsForHBP

> http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

>

>

>