AIDS: An Ayurvedic Overview

Abstract

Ancient Ayurvedic texts described a condition called Ojakshaya/Kshaya, meaning the loss of vital energy which can be equated with modern day AIDS. Ojas constitutes the essence of all the tissue elements and its depletion leads to symptom complex similar to that of AIDS. For prevention of Ojakshaya, comprehensive description like sadvrittapalana (ideal conduct of life with proper sexual conduct), sattvavajaya (mental control therapy), acharrasayan (good conduct), abrahmacharya (ideal sexual conduct) have been prescribed. Modern day ayurvedic diagnostic approach to AIDS is independent ofthe patient’s HIV status and does not depend on laboratory tests or imaging. It consists of the patient’s history and physical examination from which a practitioner infers the state of the dosha, dhatu and agni in a patient. Traditional herbal use has been reported to be common among individuals with moderate to advanced HIV infection. Practice of Brahmacharyais considered as the most vital preventive aspect for HIV infection in Ayurveda.