AIDS, Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, characterized by gradual deterioration in the immune system of the body is caused by the HIV virus. HIV can infect your body through fluid contact with another organism suffering from AIDS. There is no such treatment which can cure the disease permanently but through anti retro- viral therapy, the effect of the virus can be controlled and the severity of the disease can be reduced. Using this therapy, the growth and multiplication of the HIV virus can be reduced to the minimum possible rate but it is now noticed that over time the virus starts multiplying frequently and immune system consequently falls off. Thus, in the long run this anti retro-viral therapy has a number of side effects.

Since the disease is not fully curable, HIV infected patients require treatment for their whole life.

This is the reason why infected people want to go for some natural therapy as it has a safety profile associated with it. Some of the Ayurvedic physicians believe that the symptoms shown by an AIDS patient are somewhat similar to that of the disease “Kshaya” or “Oja-Kshaya”. Ayurvedic medicines which are usually preferred in HIV infection are Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Pippali (Piper longum) Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia),  and Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica). These medicines have properties favorable for controlling the HIV virus like they help in strengthening the immune system and providing energy to keep the cellular metabolism of the body at required levels.

Ayurvedic treatment may not show remarkable improvement in the beginning as it needs time to become effective. It plays an important role in controlling the HIV infection as it drastically reduces the HIV count, facilitates excretion of HIV virus from the body, improve body weight and can even increase the innate immunity of the body. The objective of increasing the life of an individual suffering from AIDS at minimum cost and risk can thus be best achieved by the use of herbal treatment.