HIV infection is a medical condition in which the immunity of the body gets compromised because of infection with the Human Immunodeficiency virus. The decrease in immunity renders the affected individual susceptible to a multitude of acute and chronic infections which are termed as opportunistic infections and include herpes simplex, herpes zoster, tuberculosis, skin infections, gastrointestinal infections, and different types of cancer. Infection with the HIV virus usually culminates in full blown AIDS, when the resistance of the affected individual can no longer effectively cope up with infections. Antiretroviral modern therapy can successfully bring down the virus count in the blood as well as increase the immune status of affected individuals; however, these medicines also have serious side-effects and in the long run, the HIV virus finally prevails.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for HIV & AIDS is aimed at improving the resistance of the affected individual, reducing the virus present in the body, as well as treating the opportunistic infections present in the patient. There are several well-known Ayurvedic anti-viral herbal agents which have a specific action against the HIV virus, and a combination of these medicines is usually used in high doses for prolonged periods, to significantly bring down the viral load in affected patients. In addition, Ayurvedic immunomodulatory herbal medicines are also used in high doses to boost the immune status of the affected individual, so as to help cope up with opportunistic infections and to reduce their severity and frequency.
A majority of individuals with an HIV positive status and with a reduced immunity can be treated very well with Ayurvedic herbal medicines and usually remain symptom-free for several years or even several decades. Individuals with a very high viral load and a very severely immunocompromised status need aggressive Ayurvedic therapy as well as modern treatment of opportunistic infections. With a combination of Ayurvedic therapy and allopathic antibiotic treatment as required, most such affected individuals also fair very well, and can significantly improve the quality of life and carry on the day-to-day activities in a normal manner.
Even individuals affected with full-blown AIDS and with very serious infections, especially of the central nervous system, can be treated very well with aggressive Ayurvedic herbal therapy. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can also revive HIV patients who are in a comatose or semi-comatose state. Ayurvedic herbal treatment therefore has a significant contribution to play in the management and treatment of HIV & AIDS.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
