Plant has zero impact on HIV
SUTHERLANDIA: People living with HIV often take traditional medications derived from plants. RIGOROUS TRIAL DONE ON HERB
The traditional herb Sutherlandia frutescens, which is used in the treatment of HIV, has zero impact on the virus according to a recent study by researchers from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Western Cape and Missouri.
The study was conducted on HIV-positive adults recruited from clinics in Edendale Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.
A rigorous random controlled trial was carried out at the same hospital by traditional health practitioners, clinical researchers, pharmacists and scientists and findings evaluated at Edendale Hospital’s research unit.
For hundreds of years Sutherlandia frutescens has been used in South Africa for its medical effects. In recent years the indigenous herb has been prescribed by traditional healers to HIV-positive patients in the form of teas, capsules and tablets.
Dr Douglas Wilson, the lead principal investigator of the study based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said some very useful plant-derived medications have been developed globally over the few decades.
“Adults who are living with HIV often consult traditional health practitioners and take traditional medications that are derived from plants – but Sutherlandia should not be one of them, “he said.
Commenting on the study itself, Wilson said the possible interaction that reduced the efficiency of drug therapy required further evaluation.
“If experimentally supported, this result would, however, help advance strategies for the prevention of tuberculosis and reduce development of drug resistance in regions where traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use occurs concurrently with prevention therapy,” he said. – Sutherlandia frutescens is popular in SA gardens because it’s hardy, attractive and attracts sunbirds with its red flowers. Traditional healers have long used it to treat a range of ailments. Traditional healers have great respect for the Sutherlandia . Traditional uses include the treatment of depression, anxiety, asthma, kidney infections and chronic fatigue syndrome.