HIV/AIDS affects people in both developed and developing nations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and that approximately 18,000 Americans die from AIDS every year. Treatments for this condition have steadily advanced over the past decade. Speak with a health care professional knowledgeable about both HIV/AIDS and herbal remedies before taking herbs to help support your immune system and combat your condition.
HIV/AIDS
According to the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, HIV is the virus responsible for AIDS. The HIV virus targets your immune system by destroying your CD4 positive T cells, or helper T cells. Helper T cells are a type of white blood cell that help your body ward off infection. Without adequate helper T cells, a person infected with HIV is susceptible to opportunistic infections and other health complications. AIDS is the end stage of HIV infections, notes the Institute.
Helpful Herbs
Many herbs may be helpful in treating HIV/AIDS. According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," commonly used herbs in the treatment of HIV/AIDS include aloe vera, astragalus, black radish, dandelion root, milk thistle, cat's claw, Chinese cucumber, ginkgo, licorice, wild yam root, magnolia vine berries, pau d'arco, St. John's wort, Siberian ginseng and echinacea. Each of these herbs treats a different aspect of your health and provides unique health benefits.
Featured Herb
Cat's claw is one of the most helpful herbs in treating HIV/AIDS. Balch states that cat's claw boosts your immune system function and has been shown to be helpful in treating AIDS and AIDS-related cancers. Cat's claw possesses antiviral and anti-mutagenic action, and it is commonly used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of cancer and conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, that are associated with a weak immune system. Cat's claw is a woody vine that grows in tropical jungles.
Precautions
You should take the necessary precautions before using herbal preparations to treat your HIV/AIDS. Talk with a health care professional about what herbs may be most appropriate for you and your condition. An herbal medicine specialist can tell you which herbs to take, how long you should take them, what side effects you might experience and what drug interactions may occur. Herbs for HIV/AIDS are intended to improve and support your immune system. Although herbal remedies may be helpful, they are not intended to replace conventional care for HIV/AIDS.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV in the United States
- National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases: What are HIV and AIDS?
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
