The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, a disorder that destroys certain immune cells and compromises your ability to fight off infection and disease. More than 2 million people worldwide are infected with HIV yearly, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Echinacea and goldenseal are herbal remedies that boost the immune system and may improve your health if you have or are at risk for HIV. Talk to your doctor about both herbs to decide what is appropriate for your situation.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
Early stages of HIV infection often produce no symptoms, although the virus may cause fever, headache, fatigue and enlarged lymph nodes a month or two after infection. Later, if AIDS develops, new symptoms emerge that may include weight loss; persistent fever or night sweats; constant fatigue; diarrhea; genital, anal or oral sores; pneumonia; and neurological symptoms such as memory problems and depression. Your risk of contracting HIV is increased if you have unprotected sex with an infected individual, use shared needles to inject drugs, have hepatitis, tuberculosis or malaria, or if your mother had HIV when pregnant with you.
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea, also called coneflower, is a perennial plant used by Native Americans for centuries as a remedy for fever, malaria, syphilis and other infections. The plant contains many natural compounds with biological activity, including flavonoids, volatile oils, alkaloids and terpenoids. These natural chemicals stimulate the immune system by increasing activity of immune cells that engulf and destroy pathogens. They also mobilize other immune cells called natural killer cells and support production of molecules that fight infection. In addition, echinacea contains compounds that may directly inhibit HIV, as described in a review published in "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2008. Although clinical trials with echinacea and subjects infected with or at risk for HIV are still needed, laboratory results summarized in this review are promising.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal, or Hydrastis canadensis, is an herb that grows wild in temperate regions of the U.S. and is also commercially cultivated. Its root has been part of traditional medicine for hundreds of years and was used by Native Americans to treat wounds, sores and infected eyes. Goldenseal contains compounds called berberine, hydrastine and canadine, natural antibiotics that help destroy many types of micro-organisms. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center summarizes laboratory studies showing that goldenseal extract slows growth of micro-organisms, destroys cancer cells, and stimulates immune cells called macrophages to engulf and destroy pathogens. Although clinical studies with goldenseal and human subjects are still needed, several laboratory studies such as one published in "European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry" in 2011 showed that berberine-derived compounds are potentially useful anti-HIV agents.
Recommendations
Echinacea and goldenseal are available separately or in combination from health food stores and pharmacies. Both are considered generally safe, although each may cause mild side effects such as gastric upset. Goldenseal may interact with prescription medications, including blood thinners and blood pressure medications. Avoid both herbs if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Discuss these herbal supplements in detail with your doctor before adding one or both to your regimen.
References
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS
- Drugs.com: Echinacea
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Echinacea in Infection; D. Birt, et al.; February 2008
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Goldenseal
- "European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry"; Synthesis of 9-Substituted Derivatives of Berberine as Anti-HIV Agents; H. Bodiwala, et al.; April 2011
- Drugs.com: Goldenseal
