HIV AIDS Herbal Treatment

 

The tips in this chapter are based on knowledge gained by people living with HIV / AIDS in terms of remedies and herbal treatments. The authors of this chapter does not claim to have the technical competence to endorse their therapeutic efficacy. Health and nutrition, many communities have their own knowledge based on local traditions and culture. It is important to understand and be sensitive to these popular beliefs and the many types of traditional care available. They represent an alternative to traditional general practice and will be the only option for many people. All external medical recommendations that people receive will be compared to their cultural practices and the recommendations of their traditional healers. People will only take action if the recommendations they receive appear to make sense to them and bring them something.

Some traditional food beliefs and practices may be unnecessary. It is important to understand local practices and explain to people living with HIV / AIDS and to traditional healers when and why such practices should be avoided. Nevertheless, the good traditional practices that provide readily accessible remedies, effective and cheap to be identified and promoted.

Traditional treatments: approaches to promote locally

Traditional treatments differ greatly from one region to another and are often very specific to a location. Therefore, locally recognized and available treatments should be considered and discussed their advantages and disadvantages. Information can be obtained in clinics, health centers and support organizations and local information of HIV / AIDS. In some countries, associations of traditional healers may also have additional information.

The treatment of the disease often generates frustration among people with HIV / AIDS. People with HIV / AIDS often have many questions about the treatment of the disease.

HIV / AIDS is a new disease, so far it has not been proven that traditional medicines can treat HIV and cure AIDS. However, some traditional medicines can help treat many symptoms of opportunistic infections that are a consequence of AIDS. While some of these drugs can certainly be helpful, others can be dangerous because they can do more harm than good. They can be expensive and jeopardize further the family budget including the food budget. They can also lead to discarding of certain foods. So it is always recommended to discuss treatments with a health worker or nutritionist and avoid any treatment or practice such as fasting, which could possibly reduce food intake and cause weight loss.

Herbs and spices

Herbs and spices can aid digestion, stimulate appetite and preserve foods. A list of these herbs and their benefits from people living with HIV / AIDS is given in the table below against. They will not have the same effect on everyone. People can try these herbs and decide for themselves whether they help or not. They can also learn about other remedies used in their country and they want to add.

Remember that herbs and spices should be used only in moderate amounts. Too much can cause problems and have toxic effects; moreover, the function of the herbs and spices will not be increased. They can not replace healthy food or a substitute for a healthy, balanced diet.

herbs	Profits of some people living with HIV / AIDS	Manual
Aloe	Helps relieve constipation	The use as extract; boil and drink the concoction. Must be used in small amounts, stop immediately if cramps or diarrhea occur
Basil	Helps relieve nausea and helps digestion; has an antiseptic function sore mouth	Add to food to treat nausea and digestive problems. Use as a gargle for sore mouth
Calendula	The flowers have an antiseptic function, anti-inflammatory and healing.Aune effect on infections of the upper digestive tract	Use compresses to treat infected wounds.Herbal tea, to promote digestion
Cardamom	Facilitates digestion, relieves pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and acts on loss of appetite	Add to food during cooking or prepare tea
Cayenne	Stimulates appetite, helps fight against infection, heals ulcers and intestinal inflammation	Add a pinch of raw and cooked foods. For an energy drink, add fruit or water juice
Chamomile	Aids digestion and relieves nausea	Prepare a tea with the leaves and flowers and drink several cups a day
Cinnamon	Effective against colds and when tired after a flu or a cold. Also used when the person is cold, in case of diarrhea and nausea. Stimulates appetite. gently stimulates the digestive system, promotes intestinal transit	To be added to food or herbal tea, especially the cinnamon tea ginger for pneumonia or tuberculosis (see recipe Annex 1)
Clove	Stimulates the appetite, aid digestive problems, relieves diarrhea, nausea and vomiting	Used in soups, stews, hot fruit juices and herbal teas
Coriander	The appetite and reduces flatulence, has bactericidal and antifungal properties	Add leaves in dishes
Eucalyptus	Aune antibacterial function, particularly the lungs and in cases of bronchitis. Eucalyptus oil obtained from the leaves, increases blood flow and reduces the symptoms of inflammation	Prepare a tea from the leaves or extract (see recipe Annex 1)
Fennel	The appetite, combat flatulence and expel gas	The use as a spice on food or use the seeds to make herbal tea. Only use it in small quantities
Garlic	Aune antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, in particular at the level of the intestinal tract, lung and vagina. Aids digestion and reduces the feeling of weakness. Good also against thrush, throat infections, herpes and diarrhea	Herbal tea or energy drink (see recipe Annex 1) or in the kitchen
Ginger	Improves digestion, energizes, relieves diarrhea and stimulates appetite.Used for the treatment of colds, flu and nausea	Use either as a spice in food or tea (see recipe Annex 1)
Lemon	A anti-bacterial properties and facilitates digestion	Add lemon juice in food or drinks
lemongrass	Has a calming effect, soothes digestion and soothes the stress	Drink herbal tea
Mint	Has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps digestion	Drink herbal tea or gargle for sore mouth.Chew mint leaves to aid digestion
Neem	Drops the temperature	Take a fresh neem twig, remove the leaves and boil the bark in water, drinking tea. The bark can also be chewed
Parsley	Reduces intestinal colic. Stimulates gastric secretions and stimulates the appetite. The seeds are used in the case of water retention	Eating raw or cooked with food
Pepper mint	Acts against nausea. Reduces colic (abdominal pain and cramps), acts on the diarrhea and vomiting stops. Used to relieve tension and against insomnia	In infusion, boil the leaves about 10 minutes.In addition to the dishes. (It is easy to grow this plant in the garden or in a pot near the house)
Thyme	Aune antiseptic and antifungal function. Relieves nervous coughing and increases mucosal secretions. Stimulates digestion and the development of good intestinal flora	As a gargle or mouthwash, by douching or infusion (particularly effective in the gut)
Turmeric	A digestive, antiseptic and antioxidant properties	Powder used in rice, cereals, etc.

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