Related Terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  • AIDS
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks part of the immune system. It can cause headache, fever, and body aches. It can also make it harder for your body to fight off illnesses.

It is managed with medicine. It can progress to AIDS without treatment. Natural therapies have been used to help manage symptoms from treatment. They should not be used instead of standard care.

Natural Therapies

Likely Effective

HIV and HIV treatment can cause high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats in the blood. These options can help:

  • Dietary interventions are likely to lower triglyceride levels. E2
  • Omega-3 fatty acid is a healthy fat that is likely to lower triglyceride levels and total cholesterol. B6

May Be Effective

  • Capsaicin gives hot peppers their heat. It may ease chronic pain. B13
  • Cannabis is a plant that is also used as a drug. It may ease chronic pain. B8, B13
  • Colostrum-based food supplement—colostrum is the milky substance that mothers make in the first few days after birth. It may help ease diarrhea. B3
  • Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed for health. They may slow HIV. B5, B9, B11, B16
  • Spirulina is a green alga. It may lower total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Spirulina may also raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol. B10
  • Omega-3 fatty acid may ease symptoms of depression. B12
  • Vitamin A may reduce morality in children. B14
  • Zinc is a mineral that may lower the risk of infection in adults and children. B4

Other therapies that may help are:

  • Acupuncture is the use of needles and trigger points. It may ease symptoms of stomach upset and HIV-related neuropathy. A1, A2
  • Massage therapy may improve quality of life. E1
  • Mindfulness practice is a meditative awareness practice. It may help ease side effects of treatment. C1-C3
  • Yoga is the use of breathing and poses. It may improve quality of life and lower blood pressure D1-D4

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about all herbs or pills you are taking. Some may get in the way of your treatment or other health problems you may have.

References

Acupuncture

REFA1 Chang BH, Sommers E. Acupuncture and the relaxation response for treating gastrointestinal symptoms in HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy. Acupunct Med. 2011;29(3):180-187.

REFA2 Dimitrova A, Murchison C, et al. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Mar;23(3):164-179.

REFB Herbs and Supplements

REFB1 Van Brummelen R, du Toit D. L-methionine as immune supportive supplement: a clinical evaluation. 2007;33(1):157-163.

REFB2 Humphreys EH, Smith NA, et al. Prevention of diarrhoea in children with HIV infection or exposure to maternal HIV infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jun 16;(6):CD008563.

REFB3 Kaducu FO, Okia SA, et al. Effect of bovine colostrum-based food supplement in the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2011;30(6):270-276.

REFB4 Zeng L, Zhang L. Efficacy and safety of zinc supplementation for adults, children and pregnant women with HIV infection: systematic review. Trop Med Int Health. 2011 Dec;16(12):1474-82.

REFB5 Jiang S, He J, et al. The effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation on mortality and morbidity of HIV-infected adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2012;58(2):105-112.

REFB6 Stradling C, Chen YF, et al. The effects of dietary intervention on HIV dyslipidaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e38121.

REFB7 Grobler L, Siegfried N, et al. Nutritional interventions for reducing morbidity and mortality in people with HIV. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Feb 28;(2):CD004536.

REFB8 Lutge EE, Gray A, et al. The medical use of cannabis for reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV/AIDS. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Apr 30;(4):CD005175.

REFB9 Irlam JH, Siegfried N, et al. Micronutrient supplementation for children with HIV infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Oct 11;(10):CD010666.

REFB10 Ngo-Matip ME, Pieme CA, et al. Effects of Spirulina platensis supplementation on lipid profile in HIV-infected antiretroviral naïve patients in Yaounde-Cameroon: a randomized trial study. Lipids Health Dis. 2014;12:191.

REFB11 Carter GM, Indyk D, et al. Micronutrients in HIV: a Bayesian meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2015 Apr 1;10(4):e0120113.

REFB12 Ravi S, Khalili H, et al. Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids of Depressive Symptoms in HIV-Positive Individuals: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Ann Pharmacother. 2016;50(10:797-807.

REFB13 Merlin JS, Bulls HW, et al. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for chronic pain in individuals with HIV: a systematic review. AIDS Care. 2016 Dec;28(12):1506-1515.

REFB14 Wiysonge CS, Ndze VN, et al. Vitamin A supplements for reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;9:CD003648.

REFB15 Tshingani K, Donnen P, et al. Impact of Moringa oleifera Iam. Leaf powder supplementation versus nutritional counseling on the body mass index and immune response of HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy: a single-blind randomized control trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):420.

REFB16 Visser ME, Durao S, et al. Micronutrient supplementation in adults with HIV infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 May 18;5:CD003650.

REFC Mindfulness

REFC1 Duncan LG, Moskowitz JT, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for HIV treatment side effects: a randomized, wait-list controlled trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012;43(2):161-171.

REFC2 Scott-Sheldon LAJ, Balletto BL, et al. Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Adults Living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. AIDS Behav. 2019 Jan;23(1):60-75.

REFC3 Ramirez-Garcia MP, Gagnon MP, et al. Mind-body practices for people living with HIV: a systematic scoping review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jun 11;19(1):125.

REFD Yoga

REFD1 Cade WT, Reeds DN, et al. Yoga lifestyle intervention reduces blood pressure in HIV-infected adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors. HIV Med. 2010;11(6):379-388.

REFD2 Mawar N, Katendra T, et al. Sudarshan Kriya yoga improves quality of life in healthy people living with HIV (PLHIV): results from an open label randomized clinical trial. Indian J Med Res. 2015;141(1):90-99.

REFD3 Dunne EM, Balletto BL, et al. The benefits of yoga for people living with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 Feb;34:157-164.

REFD4 Ramirez-Garcia MP, Gagnon MP, et al. Mind-body practices for people living with HIV: a systematic scoping review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jun 11;19(1):125.

REFE Other Therapies

REFE1 Hillier SL, Louw Q, et al. Massage therapy for people with HIV/AIDS. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;(1):CD007502.

REFE2 Stradling C, Chen YF, et al. The effects of dietary intervention on HIV dyslipidaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e38121.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Review Date: 02/2020
  • Update Date: 05/26/2020