AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a syndrome or a set of diseases caused by a virus called HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The illness interferes with the immune system, making people much more prone to infections and diseases. HIV occurs in the body fluids of an infected person, like semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk. The virus spreads from one person to another through blood or sexual contact. HIV can be transmitted in several ways, like vaginal, oral sex, anal sex, blood transfusion, and infected hypodermic needles. Symptoms may include diarrhea tiredness, weight loss, rashes, sore throat, enlargement in glands, muscle and joint pain, fever, etc.
In Ayurveda, AIDS is categorized as a disease of low ojas (immunity), the very important sap of the body. Ojas provides physical and mental strength to resist disease. The lowered immune system makes the body prone to a host of opportune infections and disorders. Ayurveda has a branch known as Rasayana, which particularly deals with rising immunity and strength through various herbs, minerals, and Ayurvedic practices.
Ayurveda may help in avoiding AIDS by increasing the body's defense system with herbs and an additional code of conduct or achaar rasayana. Ayurveda advocates a full range of herbs for the prevention of AIDS by strengthening the immune system. Herbs like Amla (Emblica Officinalis), bala (sida cordiolia), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), nirgundi (vitex nirgundo) and Amrita (Tinospora wedifolia) are found to be very useful in the prevention of AIDS.
The patient must be provided nutritious food that is easily digestible and he/she should be engaged in fruitful activities. Support and encouragement from family and friends is also required to make the person comfortable. Oily, spicy and acidic fruits are strictly prohibited.
Ayurvedic energizers and rejuvenators or rasayanas are given to strengthen the system, improve immunity levels and stimulate the appetite. After the patient gains some strength, a technique shodhana may be used to drive out toxins from the body via enemas, steam bath, purgation, and emesis. A nutritious diet along with other medicated ayurvedic preparations is given. In addition, chyavanprash, raktavardhak and Triphala can be given to AIDS patients as these are recommended to improve the system and immunity.