Summary

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.   This limits the body’s ability to protect itself against other bacteria, fungus, parasites, and viruses that otherwise would not be a concern.  If the HIV infection occurs there may be no symptoms for even years but the infection can still be transmitted during this period.  Most that acquire the virus will eventually show symptoms, have acute HIV, and finally develop AIDS if they are not treated.  A small percentage that acquire HIV will not progress to AIDS and this seems to be based on genetics.

The HIV is transmitted primarily by bodily fluids during any type of sexual contact.  It may also be transmitted by contact with the blood of an infected person (including shared needles) or from mother to child during pregnancy and breast feeding.  The common symptoms of AIDS include:

• Chills

• Fevers

• Sweats (particularly at night)

• Swollen lymph glands

• Weakness

• Weight loss

AIDS is a pandemic in the world today and it is estimated that over 30 million people in the world are infected.  In the United States it was the number one killer of young adults and by 2009 this has been reduced to number six.

A protocol (HAART) is used with some success to limit the virus.  This uses a combination of several antiretroviral drugs and is quite complex and expensive.  Wikipedia gives this explanation of this type of antiviral drugs.

     Antiviral drugs are often nucleoside analogues, which are molecules very similar, but not identical to DNA building blocks. When the replication of virus DNA begins, some of these fake building blocks are incorporated. As soon as that happens, replication stops prematurely—the fake building blocks lack the essential features that allow the addition of further building blocks. Thus, DNA production is halted, and the virus can no longer reproduce … Other antiviral drugs target different stages of the viral life cycle. HIV is dependent on an enzyme called the HIV-1 protease for the virus to become infectious. There is a class of drugs called protease inhibitors, which bind to this enzyme and stop it from functioning. ,,, HIV infections are usually treated with a combination of antiviral drugs, each targeting a different stage in the virus's life-cycle. There are drugs that prevent the virus from attaching to cells, others that are nucleoside analogues and some poison the virus's enzymes that it needs to reproduce.

Wikipedia also gives this information on alternative therapy:

     Naturally occurring antiretrovirals 

A variety of natural compounds have been proposed as treatments for HIV-infection. Among these compounds are the spice cumin, the fat AL 721, Chinese cucumber, the herb St John’s wort, the minerals selenium and zinc, beta-carotene (found in carrots), vitamin E, and mushrooms. No natural compounds have ever been shown to inhibit HIV replication in human test subjects.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends: Balance, frankincense,lavender, lemon, melaleuca, OnGuard, oregano, Serenity

Essential oils based products: Life Long Vitality supplements, AromaTouch Technique

Also consider: Clove, helichrysum

Suggested protocols:

Although the literature indicates that, to date, no antiviral agents have been found that will defeat the HIV there are a number of ways to consider that essential oils may help.
see also other pages devoted to these individual health concerns.

Strengthening the immune system:

The AromaTouch Technique is a massage type administration of essential oils that relieves stress and uses key oils to strengthen the immune system

Relieving stress and depression:

The previously mentioned AromaTouch Technique plus a number of individual oils and blends will help.  Individuals may respond more positively to one than another.  Consider Balance, lavender, or Serenity with diffusing, or cup and inhale.

Associated health concerns:

The following health concerns may occur with someone with AIDS and essential oils can help the weakened immune system deal with these pathogens.

Candida infections (depending on the strength and tolerance of the individual the following oils are effective against candida.  Lemon (mild and easily tolerable), OnGuard (strong and tolerable),  melaleuca (strong and reasonably tolerable), oregano (very strong and hot, usually requires diluting)

• oesophagus, trachea, lungs - consider diffusing, cup and inhale, or capsules

• oral - consider oil pulling

• vaginal - oral capsules or internal suppositories

• rectal - oral capsules or internal suppositories

Bacterial infections - a number of oils are very effective against bacterial infections including frankincense, lavender, and melaleuca. 

• respiratory - consider diffusing, cup and inhale, or capsules

• skin - topical applications to the affected area

Herpes simplex - Melaleuca should be applied neat or with a 50% carrier dilution. Apply topically to the outbreak area. Lavender, myrrh, or a blend of frankincense and sandalwood can also be used.

Experiences and Testimonials of others

 

Protocols folks recommend for children

 

 

Diet and Nutritional complements to essential oils

 

What Science & Research are saying

From PubMed.  This study was to see how effective melaleuca would be for AIDS patients that had a Candida infection of the throat that was not responding to the drug Fluconazole, an anti-fungal drug.

Efficacy of melaleuca oral solution for the treatment of fluconazole refractory oral candidiasis in AIDS patients.

Jandourek A, Vaishampayan JK, Vazquez JA.   Department of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.  18 Jun 18

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of melaleuca oral solution in AIDS patients with fluconazole-resistant oropharyngeal candida infections.

DESIGN: A prospective, single center, open-labeled study.

SETTING: A university-based inner-city HIV/AIDS clinic.

PATIENTS: Thirteen patients with AIDS and oral candidiasis documented to be clinically refractory to fluconazole, as defined by failure to respond to a minimum of 14 days of > or = 400 mg fluconazole per day. Additionally, patients had in vitro resistance to fluconazole, defined by minimal inhibitory concentrations of > or = 20 microg/ml.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were given 15 ml melaleuca oral solution four times daily to swish and expel for 2-4 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution of clinical lesions of oral pseudomembranous candidiasis lesions. Evaluations were performed weekly for 4 weeks and at the end of therapy for clinical signs of oral candidiasis. Quantitative yeast cultures were performed at each evaluation.

RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were entered into the study, 12 were evaluable. At the 2-week evaluation, seven out of 12 patients had improved, none were cured, and six were unchanged. At the 4-week evaluation, eight out of 12 patients showed a response (two cured, six improved), four were non-responders, and one had deteriorated. A mycological response was seen in seven out of 12 patients. A follow-up evaluation 2-4 weeks after therapy was discontinued revealed that there were no clinical relapses in the two patients who were cured.

CONCLUSIONS: Melaleuca oral solution appears to be effective as an alternative regimen for AIDS patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis refractory to fluconazole.

 

Clinical aromatherapy and AIDS.

Buckle J.   RJ Buckle Associates LLC, Hunter, New York, USA.  May-Jun 2002

Abstract

Clinical aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for expected outcomes that are measurable and is a therapy that is used as part of nursing care in Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and, more recently, the United States. Essential oils are steam distillates obtained from aromatic plants. These volatile extracts have been used for many years by French hospitals against airborne bacteria and fungi. As antimicrobial agents, essential oils may be appropriate in HIV/AIDS for specific opportunistic infections. Aromatherapy can also alter perceptions of chronic pain, help maintain skin integrity, and is useful in stress management. Methods of application vary depending on the site of infection and the psychological profile of the patient and can include inhalation, compresses, baths, massage, and the "m" technique. This article will explore the potential use of essential oils in HIV/AIDS focusing on four opportunistic infections: Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and herpes simplex types I and II.