By Robert MacDonald, C.H.T.

It is important to remember that the acronym "AIDS: is a catch-all term used to describe 29 different diseases; all of which require individual specific treatments. The goal of this article is to help prevent the onset of any of the AIDS-defining diseases, also known as opportunistic infections. When one's immunity is compromised, infection may develop. Most infections are treated by prescribing anti-biotics, which impair digestion and further compromise the immune system. The rationale is that the germs cause disease, so therefore the germs must be eradicated. However, to prevent or recover from AIDS, it is necessary to maintain or to rebuild the integrity of the immune system. Every body contains viruses and bacteria, the answer does not lie in wiping them out.

Rebuilding the immune system begins with support of digestive function. Numerous studies have found that the opportunistic infections seen in people with AIDS are very similar to those seen in nutritionally deficient animals. This happens because, in people with AIDS and other immune dysfunction diseases, there are many digestive factors that need correcting. Digestion can be impaired through nutritional deficiencies, lack of sufficient stomach acid, and ingestion of chemicals and drugs, resulting in an inability for the body to break food down properly. Food that is not properly broken down can lead to leaky gut syndrome that causes many allergies, and robs the body of the raw materials out of which the body builds, repairs, protects, and produces energy. Many people believe that they are eating well, but the food they are consuming may never make it to their cells. Many people lack sufficient stomach acid and even minimum exposure to anti-biotics can destroy the healthy bacterial flora of your digestive tract, setting in place a cascade of reactions that will suppress your bodies' natural energies. Taking 6 acidophilus per day on an empty stomach for 1 - 7 days following all antibiotic treatments is essential to proper assimilation and digestion of food. For maintenance for healthy bowel flora 3 capsules of acidophilus taken before bed is recommended. Use of digestive enzymes prior to meals in addition to eating raw fruit, especially papaya or pineapple 30 minutes before a meal helps with the breakdown of food.

Chronic stress is another contributor to digestive weakness. The hormones produced when we are under stress can be very destructive to the body if the stress is chronic. Stress hormones inhibit daily repairs in our digestive system, ultimately causing this system to seriously malfunction. Chronic stress depletes the body's resources, reduces its ability to adapt, and suppresses immune function. This is where nervine and adaptogen herbs can be of aid. Adaptogens are supportive to the body in times of stress, helping it to "adapt" by stimulating the bodies' own defensive mechanism. Siberian Ginseng is used to enhance resilience to either physical or mental stress. It is especially useful in the treatment of chronic exhaustion and debility. Siberian Ginseng also stimulates immune resistance and can be taken to aid recovery from chronic illness. St. John's wort is an excellent nervous system tonic helping with tension, anxiety, and depression. Borage acts as a restorative agent on the adrenal glands, making it useful for stress. It is also of benefit for people who have taken steroids or cortisone medications. Vervain is a herb that will strengthen the nervous system while relaxing and tension and stress. It is used to ease depression especially when this follows illness.

Since no effective treatment or cure has ever been established using anti-viral drugs in the treatment of AIDS, seeking anti-viral herbs seems equally ineffective. The emphasis with herbal medicine, as in the treatment of all diseases, is to strengthen, tone and detoxify the body, rather than attacking the disease. Immuno-modulators, herbs that support the immune system and/or correcting immune deficits include Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia / purpurea), Milk Vetch (Astragalus membranous), Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), and Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Immune supporting herbs are especially important given the fact that many of the conventional treatments involve immune suppressing compounds which weaken the body in attempt to wipe out the "bugs" within. Echinacea can be used safely in the treatment of AIDS, either in low daily doses (5 ml per day) or higher doses that are pulsed (3 weeks on, 1 week off).

Herbs used to treat or prevent opportunistic infections include Garlic (Allium sativum), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Myrrh (Commiphora mol-mol), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium), and Poke Root (Phytolacca decandra). These herbs all have potent ant-septic properties making them useful for the treatment of a variety of micro-organisms.

To relieve the many toxic side effects of conventional AIDS medications it is important to ensure that all of the bodies' eliminative channels are functioning properly. The longer the medications stay in the body the more damage they can cause, thus herbs that help to detoxify the body, increasing elimination by the bowels, kidneys and skin, and support for the liver is essential. Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a good diuretic, supporting the kidneys I the elimination of toxins and or mild laxative, therefore helping to prevent constipation. Cleavers is also a powerful lymphatic herb, making it useful for swollen glands, especially swollen lymph nodes. Nettles (Urtica dioica) is a popular spring tonic and general detoxifying remedy; it is used to strengthen and support the whole body. Milk Thistle (Carduus marianus) is an amazing tonic for the liver, helping to protect liver cells from chemical damage. Other useful herbs in this category include Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) and Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus).

Peppermint and Fennel tea can be used to with good effect to relieve nausea and vomiting that is often associated with the use of many of the medications that are prescribed.

It is extremely important to correct any co-factors that may cause disease and/or immune suppression: including drug abuse, malnutrition, lack of sleep or poor quality of sleep, and lack of exercise. Another very important factor is keeping a healthy mental outlook and minimizing stress. Take control of your health, don't let it control you. Get involved with your illness; read about it, seek out and discover what works best for you. But don't get consumed with it, ensure you still have time to enjoy the company of friends and a good movie - a good laugh has been shown to boost the immune system of up to a week. Energy work or therapeutic touch can be valuable by increasing the energy through the heart chakra to support the thymus gland. Blocked energy to the thymus gland may also manifest as an inability to love yourself or others.

There are only two causes of disease - deficiency and toxicity - therefore if you provide your body with all the nutrients that your cells require, while at the same time, removing toxins and stopping the introduction of new toxins, you will be on your way to a disease free body. This is the basis for preventing and reversing all disease, and the path taken by the long-term AIDS thrivers I know.

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