Traditional medicines to fight AIDS

The South African government set up an institute of traditional medicine as part of its fight against AIDS. The Medical Research Council (MRC), acting on a request by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, is investigating whether African traditional medicines have the power to stave off AIDS by boosting the immune system. Similar trials have been held in the USA, Malaysia and China, but no conclusive evidence has yet emerged. Seven traditional medicines have been selected by the MRC for testing. Four are now being tested at the MRC’s indigenous knowledge systems division and three more will be tested next year.

http://www.journ-aids.org/reports/04072003f.htm