BY WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
Though
scientists are yet to find a cure for HIV and AIDS, certain traditional
medicines have been shown to help treat many of the symptoms of opportunistic infection
that are part of the disease.
According to living well with HIV/AIDS: A manual on nutritional care and support for people
living with HIV/AIDS by FAO “The effect may not be the same for all people. People
can try this herb and decide for themselves whether they are helpful.
The manual reads: “Remember that all herbs and spices should be used in
moderate amounts. Exceeding these amounts may cause problems and have a toxic
effect.
Aloe Vera
ALOE
helps to relieve constipation: Use extract, boil and drink the concentrated
water. To be used in limited amount; stop immediately if it causes cramps or
diarrhea.
C’alendula flower
It
has anti septic, anti inflammatory and healing functions helps with infections
of the upper digestive tract. Prepare as tea to help digestion.
Cayeme
Stimulates
appetite; helps fight infection, heals ulcers and intestinal inflammation. Add
a pinch to cooked or raw foods for energizing drink; add to fruit juice or
water.
Eucalyptus
Has
an antibacterial function, particularly for lungs and during bronchitis.
Eucalyptus oil from leaves increases the blood low and reduces the symptoms of
inflammation. Prepare tea from the leaves or extracts.
Garlic:
Has
antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal function especially in the, intestine,
lungs and vagina. Helps feeling of weakness, also for throat infections, herps
and diarrhea. Prepare as tea or use in food.
Fennel:
Helps
to increase appetite, combat flatulence and expel gas. Add as spice to food or
prepare tea from the seeds.
Ginger:
Improve
digestion, energies, relieves diarrhea, and stimulates appetite used for
treatment of common cold flu and nausea, prepare as a ginger tea or use as
spic.
Lemon:
Has
antibacterial functions and helps digestion. Add lemon juice to food or drinks.
Peppermint:
May
help nausea, reduces colic (Abdominal pain and cramps) helps to control
diarrhea and stops vomiting, also used for relieving tension and sleeplessness.
Prepare as tea, by boiling the leaves for about 10 minutes.
Thyme:
Has
antiseptic and antifungal function. Relaxes nervous coughing and increases
mucosal secretion. Stimulates digestion and the growth of the good intestinal
flora in the guts. Use as mouth wash or as a vaginal douche.
Indeed, preliminary result on the evaluation of herbal
preparations used for the management of
HIV/AIDS in many African countries have shown encouraging results that there
have been improvements of quality of life and clinical conditions of patients
treated with such herbal preparations.
Blood
test to monitor their level of immunity (CD4 and CD8 counts) have also shown an
improvement and in some cases there has been a significant decrease in viral
load.