Promotion of Community based cultivation of Hibiscus sabdariffa, Moringa oleifera, Adansonia digitata and Aloe vera for use as herbal nutritional supplements for people living with HIV/AIDS
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Date
2007
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Core
Abstract
Introduction
The devastation resulting from immunodeficiency in HIV/AIDS patients predisposes patients to a multitude
of opportunistic infections, ranging from bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoa infections and malignancies
such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and non-Hodgikin’s lymphomas. The availability of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs),
which reduce viral load and help to restore the immune system, has given hope to those who can afford
them. However, for the majority of people the availability of ARVs is a luxury that they cannot afford. The
only available option is to curb emerging opportunistic infections so as to reduce illness episodes. The
availability of easily accessible and cheap drugs for the treatment of opportunistic infections would be of
great relief to patients.
The use of products from these 3 specific medicinal plants could contribute significantly towards the
treatment of opportunistic infections in addition to supplying nutritional supplements to cope with the
devastation of immunodeficiency. Nutritional supplementation could also be pivotal in dealing with the
nutritional needs of pregnant women and undernourished children. Herbal nutritional supplements are likely
to play an important role in improving the health of a large percentage of the population, especially in the
rural areas, either directly through use or by generating income which will allow them to afford other types
of foods.
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Keywords
HIV/AIDS, Herbal nutritional supplements
Citation
Mbwambo, Z.H., Moshi, M.J., Kayombo, E.J., Kapingu, M.C., Muze, L., Ndunguru, G.T. and Mulokozi, A., 2007. Promotion of Community based cultivation of Hibiscus sabdariffa, Moringa oleifera, Adansonia digitata and Aloe vera for use as herbal nutritional supplements for people living with HIV/AIDS.