In treating their HIV, many patients have taken their healing into their own hands, oftentimes trying therapies outside of traditional Western medicine. A proactive approach is great, and many alternative therapies can provide a valuable complement to a more traditional regimen. Unfortunately, they are not regulated according to any standards. Many products vary considerably from one brand to another in ingredient composition and content.
Products sometimes make unsubstantiated claims and are expensive.
Consumers, and especially the HIV-infected population, should educate themselves about such claims and treat any herb or supplement as a drug. One dangerous perception about these products is that they are natural and therefore cannot be harmful. This cannot be further from the truth. Herbs and supplements can be harmful alone or in combination with other drugs. Often patients believe herbs and supplements can be taken without informing a doctor.