Alternative Medicine Popular for AIDS in Thailand
From Natural Healthline by Peter Barry Chowka |
The newspaper quotes Dr. Phennapha Sapcharoen, director of the Institute of Traditional Thai Medicine, as saying that Thailand would eventually reach a dead end if it only depends on conventional therapy in the treatment of people with HIV/AIDS. She said that it would not be possible for all HIV positive persons to get anti-retroviral drugs like AZT because they are too expensive, in addition to the fact that their effectiveness has not yet been confirmed. Phennapha said the use of a variety of existing Thai herbs could prove to be not only cheaper but as effective as modern medicines. She also urged HIV positive patients not to lose hope, and suggested that they should focus on holistic medicines which include mental and physical fitness.
In a comment which reflects reports from many other nations, including a number in Africa, which Natural HealthLine has reported on during the past year, Phra Alongkot Tikhapanyo of Wat Phra Baat Nam Phu, Lop Buri, said the temple, which turned into a hospice for people with AIDS, finds it difficult to cope with the high costs of modern medicines and has therefore switched to traditional medicines. Phra Alongkot added that the use of several household herbs like greater galangal in the ginger family is more effective than conventional pharmaceuticals in treating opportunistic infections among people with HIV/AIDS. "Grounded greater galangal mixed as a paste with water has proven to be very effective in treating patients with fungal problems in their mouth. Most HIV/AIDS patients have this mouth fungal problem and in my experience there is no modern medicine that is as effective as this herbal therapy," he said.
Prasert Taechaboon or Daeng, who first tested positive for the HIV virus eight years ago, said he has managed to maintain his health by practicing meditation and eating healthy foods. He added that most HIV positive persons in Thailand are forming self-help groups to share their knowledge. Phennapha noted that it would be impossible for the existing number of hospitals in Thailand to take in all HIV positive patients. It is estimated that there are 800,000 HIV positive people in the country, and the number is expected to gradually rise.
Acupuncture.com |