There is a second school of though not terribly popular with physicians: HIV causes AIDS with, because of, or assisted by the medication used to prevent AIDS. The usual anti-HIV medication is quite potent and works in ways beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that the medications have huge side effects and that the latest research published in late-April makes it quite clear that our hope that the antiviral compounds actually cure AIDS is probably incorrect and the virus is very capable of surviving this chemical onslaught and "hiding" for many decades in the human body. Please do not misunderstand, as far as I can tell, many lives have been prolonged, changed for the better and even saved by advances in AIDS chemotherapeutics. I just think it's also very reasonable and prudent to investigate other ways of keeping this virus in check by strengthening the immune system's ability to deal with it and by increasing the overall health of the person who is carrying HIV.

Echinacea is my favorite herbal treatment for the immune system and it appears to be exactly the wrong herb for people with HIV. Echinacea may heighten the immune system's ability to deal with infection and probably with cancer cells, too, but this increased functioning level may actually worsen HIV problems.

Milk Thistle works to cleanse the liver and its major chemical constituents, silymarins, have been accepted as having anti-inflammatory actions in liver cells.

Mouth sores and ulcerations can be a huge problem with AIDS and during AIDS treatment. Aloe Vera has been used for centuries for these conditions and has even worked it's way into conventional medicine. I recommend Aloe Vera juice/gel straight from the plant rather than from a jar or a bottle. Get a big aloe plant and use it to treat oral lesions, skin lesions and mix it with lemon and honey for gargling to relieve sore throats. Aloe juice in a bottle is great for curing constipation

Alfalfa in capsules is good for the stomach lining. There are also people who use it as a general cleanser of both the intestinal tract and, upon absorption of the chemical constituents, a "blood refresher." It is safe and helpful. The potent phytonutrients may also decrease the incidence of malignancy.

Capsicum should be used by doctors much more than it is. It is a valuable anti-inflammatory and can decrease joint pain and inflammation elsewhere in the body. It is another of many herbal treatments with a safety record measured not in decades but centuries.

In addition to using Aloe juice to regulate bowel function we should remember that fiber does whatever is necessary in the intestines: if water needs to be absorbed as in diarrhea, fiber absorbs it, if constipation is the problem, fiber will help alleviate that too. Plain old bran is the best way to go.

There are receptor sites in the brain which accept valium-like drugs and also can be occupied by chamomile. Chamomile soothes anxiety no matter what the cause and, again, has been used for hundreds of years.

Antioxidants are good for everybody and will particularly helpful for people battling illness. Vitamin E 800 mg/day, vitamin C 500-5000 mg/day depending on your tolerance and the school of thought you like, grapeseed extract, coenzyme Q10 for cardiac health, and other antioxidants will help tissues withstand attach and help them regenerate.

Thrush or yeast infections of the mouth are a constant problem in chronic illness including HIV infections. Nystatin may work for a while and then resistance develops. Use grapefruit seed extract to prevent and treat yeast infections. Get a concentrated solution and dilute it as directed (usually 4-5 drops/ounce water) and swab it on the tongue and gums. Put in it a plastic bottle to treat yeast infections on the skin.

Chaparral has anti-infectious power externally and internally.

Eye inflammations can be treated with homeopathic or dilute euphrasia eye drops.

I use garlic drops to treat ear infections. Mullein/garlic drops decrease inflammation of the ear drum and treat ear canal infections, too. Garlic internally has too many wonderful applications to list.

Nausea and vomiting are usually treated with medications with enough side effects to might make you wish for the original problem instead. Ginger root is now even accepted in main-stream medical care for the prevention and treatment of everything from motion sickness to chemotherapy-induced intestinal problems.

Don't forget gotu kola and gingko biloba for improved blood flow and improved brain function. Again, even doctors might be catching up on the benefits of gingko.

Avoid Ma Huang. It steals your strength with its short term benefits and may interact badly with other treatment modalities.

Eat well, read about as many alternative remedies as possible and don't settle for doctors telling you there's only one way to treat HIV infections. Sometimes you have to be your doctor's research assistant and sometimes it may feel like you're your own doctor.

Good Luck!