Question
Do phytomed herbal products work against HIV?
6 July 2016. Related: All topics, Southern Africa.
Hi.
I have just found out that I am positive and my boyfriend was seeing someone behind my back. I then asked him to go for a test his CD4 was way less than 290 and he refuses to take medication. He wants to use phytomed herbs.
Please advise if that works.
Answer
I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Have you got any support around dealing with the diagnosis? You may find it useful to speak with other people living with HIV. Some of the people you might meet at support groups, will have been through similar circumstances to yours. Many people find it helpful to share experiences and coping strategies.
On your question about whether phytomed (herbal products), work to treat HIV. The simple answer is no. There is no evidence that ANY herbal products can treat HIV. There are a lot of scams that take advantage of people by pretending that they do.
ARVs are the only treatments proven to consistently and reliably control HIV and improve your CD4 count. In order for the treatment to work it needs to be taken correctly and as advised.
Most country treatment guidelines, including South Africa, recommend starting treatment at any CD4 count. At 290 you count is still petty good, but is it is a good time to start finding out about treatment. Given time, most people change their mind. Perhaps this is part of his way of coping, but he could be risking his health.
This Introduction to combination therapy might be good for both of you to read. This includes information about the important aspects of treatment such as why and when it is important to start.
A really good organisation you could contact when you feel ready to talk or to find out more information is TAC [The Treatment Action Campaign] based in South Africa.
Note: This answer was updated in July 2016 from an orginal question in January 2012. This was to reflect changes in treatment guidelines.
Hi I just drank the bottle of phythomed last week and I see some vaginal discharge every day. It’s the same colour as the phythomed and some time I feel period pains but I am not on my period. I just want to know if there’s a problem
Hello Chris and thanks for the question.
Here at i-Base we don’t recommend herbal supplements as there is no evidence and no clinical trials about their use or benefits.
If you take a medication and it feels like your stomach is on fire, that is not a good sign.
Please consult a doctor if you are worried and stop taking the herbals
Hi I took my 1st half a cup tonight and my body feels like it’s on fire viz my back and stomach. Is this how the meds work?
Hello Primrose and thank you for the question.
What ulcer do you have and for how long?
What does your doctor say?
I don’t know what phytomed is (we are based in the uk, these products some times are not available everywhere)
At i-base we advise caution when it comes to herbal products as there might be interactions with ARVs and there are not enough evidence to support their use.
You can try checking the active ingredients for interactions with your ARVs here:
https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org
I have the problem of ulcer for years and im loosing weight. Is phytomed a good medicine to use? I have stomach cramps, wind and heartburn
Plz help
Hi Basil, I have no information on whether herbal products actively help any medical problem. This will depend on the active ingredients and whether anyy studies were run. Usually, there is no evidence of any benefit. This service is about HIV and treatment.
can i use Phytomed ointment on ingrow hair that is very painful?
Hi Faith, yes it is safe for you to use this product.
As with any supplement, it is recommended to take them at the opposite end of the day to your HIV meds e.g., meds in the morning and the supplement before bed.
This prevents any risk of interaction whereby the supplement can reduce how much HIV treatment is absorbed if taken together.
I’m on ARV treatment is it safe for me to use this product coz I see it’s gud for immune system
Hi Zukisa, phytomed is a supplement. It is not used to help/treat a stroke.