HomeAnswersAyurveda SpecialisthivShould Siddha and allopathic medicines be combined for an effective HIV treatment?

Should the Siddha RAN therapy be combined with antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At June 27, 2021
Reviewed AtDecember 20, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Kindly suggest whether Siddha medicines such as Rasagandhi Mezhugu, Amukkara Chooranam, and Nellikai Legiyam alone are enough to treat HIV or it has to be taken along with ART. If Siddha medicines are enough, then kindly suggest their dosage and intervals. Kindly suggest.

Answered by Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Initially, when HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection occurred for the first time, we did not have any allopathic drugs. Based on some studies and research, it was found that RAN therapy (Rasagandhi Mezhugu, Amukkara Chooranam, and Nellikai Legiyam) can reduce HIV viral load by increasing the patient's immunity and it can make the patient healthy. Based on that, RAN therapy was used for treating AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Few patients took only those drugs for more than 20 years.

Many other peoples started taking ART (antiretroviral therapy) drugs combined with it when their viral load gets increased. A long-term comparative study has not been conducted and so there is no direct answer to your question. I suggest you start taking ART for six months and take RAN Siddha medicines simultaneously. It helps a lot. Then you can stop taking allopathic drugs for a few days and continue taking RAN therapy. When you have an aggravation or increase in viral load, a few months of ART can be taken for a short term. Both it can be taken in combination for a long-term follow-up. But one can take RAN only and he can get good control at least for a few years.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I am taking only RAN without ART as I am in the initial stage. Shall I continue taking RAN alone? Do I need to take any other Siddha medicines? I do not have any other symptoms. Kindly advise on the daily dosage for RAN. Kindly prescribe some medicine to increase my weight.

Answered by Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can continue taking RAN alone. You can check CD4 count once a year. When it comes down, you can start taking ART. If your CD4 count gets reduced or viral load gets increased, then you can develop some clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, oral thrush, lung infection, and body wasting. At this time, you can undergo CD4 count or viral load tests. You can take Rasaganthi mezhugu (Gandhakam, Pooram, Paththra thalagam) one in the morning and night. You can take Amukkara (Milagu (Black pepper), Thippili (Long pepper), Chukku (Dry ginger)) one spoon containing one gram twice daily mixed with a cup of buttermilk or yogurt. It is also available in tablets and take it twice daily before taking food. You can take Nellikai legium (Gooseberry pulp) one spoon containing three to five grams thrice daily before food. To increase your weight, you can take a double dose of Amukkara chooranam and Nellikai legium. Both can be taken thrice daily with a double dose. You can also take Thetran legium (Cumin, Gooseberry, Ghee) one spoon thrice daily before food. It helps to increase body weight. Alternatively, you can take Maha vallathagi legium or Vallathagi legium one spoon after lunch. It helps to improve immunity. Apart from RAN, you can add the above two drugs for having some better effects.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Kindly suggest a Siddha medicine for a seven-old-child having HIV with dosage. I want to know whether this medicine can work in a long run. I do not want to take ART. Kindly advise. Please mention whether this Siddha medicine causes any side effects in kids.

Answered by Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

For children, the drug remains the same but the dose should be reduced. The child can take Rasaganthi mezhugu capsule at night after dinner, Amukkara chooranam tablet one in the morning, and night after food while consuming a half cup of buttermilk, and Nellikai legium one spoon in the morning and evening before taking food. He can take this drug continuously for a year. It is good to check viral load and CD4 count once a year. If anything goes wrong, then the child needs to take ART. There is a high possibility to have it. After few years, he can become normal without any virus. At that time, we can reduce the count of Siddha medicines. He can also take Poorana chandrodhayam tablet one in the morning and night after dinner. Take this drug once a week in a month. Then he can stop taking it for another three weeks. Again, it can be taken for a week in the next month. He needs to take it for a year. This drug contains minimal gold parpam which is harmless. It can be taken by all age groups to boost immunity. When he develops any HIV symptoms at any time, then he can take a blood test for CD4 count and viral load. It can also be done once in six months or a year.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Arul Amuthan L
Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Pharmacology

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