THE EDITOR, Sir: THE WEALTH of a nation is in the health of its people. The Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), also called the AIDS virus is believed to be the primary cause of AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.The disease surfaced in the early 1980s and in an article in a prestigious medical journal following its discovery, it has stated in a study that "a substance in the aloe plant showed preliminary signs of boosting AIDS patients' immune systems and blocking the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) spread without toxic side effects".
Years later following this study an internationally recognised AIDS expert conducted another systematic study of a unique nutritional formula combining the use of the aloe vera plant material with a supplementation of other nutritional products. The objective was to determine if this nutritional regimen would help to boost the patients' immune systems and increase their ability to fight current and future HIV/AIDS infections.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
In the study, a considerable number of patients whose initial rating classified them with full-blown AIDS improved so dramatically at the end of the study that none could any longer be placed in that category. Ad-ditionally, several others were accorded a classification of HIV negative at the end of the study.
It is interesting to note that with the advance of nutritional medicine there are also a number of nutritional products, which have been clinically and scientifically proven to have therapeutic and beneficial effects in HIV/AIDS infection.
We should focus our research in this direction. As a small nation, we could stand tall in our research and contribution towards any success in reducing the incidence of this infection, which is reaching pandemic proportions.
The aloe vera is a succulent consisting of thick green leaves with a gelatinous substance inside. The principal attributes of the plant are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. Aloe vera not only provides vigorous overall immune system support but aids directly in the destruction of intra-vascular bacteria.
This plant grows in the wild, cultivated and can be found in many home gardens. Let me hasten to state that I am not advocating that aloe vera is a cure for HIV/AIDS.
EXPAND RESEARCH
I am only sharing the knowledge gleaned from research in natural medicine in the hope that we will endeavour to further explore and expand on the research of these studies, which show the immune enhancing potential of the aloe vera.
With regard to research in the plant kingdom, there is an awesome amount of research on phytochemicals in general, which clinically and scientifically yields evidence that herbs and their phytomedicines can enhance good health. Mother Nature holds the key to many solutions in health care that scientists have not yet envisioned.
We should not always try to re-invent the wheel but at times simply try to turn it.
I am, etc.,
VANCE LANNAMAN,
N.M.D. (DR.)
naturaldoc@cwjamaica.com
