October 2004 HIVAN/WCRP Forum: Western Vs Traditional Medicine

The October HIVAN/WCRP Religious Leaders?’ and HIV/AIDS Researchers?’ Forum addressed current trends in HIV prevention, treatment and care towards the complementary use of both traditional and alternative health forms. The Forum was attended by approximately 70 people and chaired by Paddy Meskin.

The panel featured Ms. Bongi Gwala and Ms. Queen Ntuli, from the eThekwini Traditional Healers?’ Council, and a variety of speakers from UKZN including Dr. Nceba Gqaleni of the Traditional Healing Programme, Dr. James Hartzell, Co-ordinator of the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Project, Ayurvedic medical practitioner Dr. Rajen Cooppan, herbalist Mrs. Anne Hutchings, and Dr. Mohamed Solwa (Islamic Medical Association), representing Western medicine.

Ms Gwala and Ms Ntuli spoke of their divinational healing powers, which in the tradition of indigenous healers, is a gift passed down through generations of family. Traditional healing is seen as a sacred profession involving adherence to rules that ensure purity and devotion on the part of the healer.

The medicines prescribed in traditional healing vary ?– some have a long shelf-life and others are administered in dosages of fresh material, depending on the diagnosed illness. Sometimes it is necessary to use the bones of animals. The healing process involves engagement with the patient as an individual and as part of his or her family and social group, so traditional healers establish good communications within whole neighbourhoods and are trusted, approachable figures in the commnity.

Dr Nceba Gqaleni noted that we are fortunate to have many traditional healers based in Durban, which enables in-depth research to be conducted leading to a broader understanding of the plants used by healers and how these remedies work. The Nelson R Mandela Medical School has been fostering this research, and his Department has partnered with local traditional healers to determine training options and develop a focus programme of investigation linked to practice.

Dr James Hartzell presented on the TCAM project, which interacts with many traditional healers. He voiced support for the legacy of traditional healing, pointing out that science alone cannot explain what traditional healers do. Dr Hartzell himself was told to speak to his ancestors about certain situations, which were then resolved.

Dr Rajen Cooppan spoke more on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine. He said that the science of life is a system of study based on the laws of nature, spirit, mentality, sensuality and physical being, which are universally applicable. While Western medicine treats symptoms of illness, the Ayurvedic diagnostic approach is comprehensive and explores the underlying causes of the condition. The Ayurvedic principles are based on a philosophy of biological uniqueness, meaning that no two people will respond to the same medicine in the same way. The belief is that it is not the doctor who heals - only nature can heal. Dr Cooppan noted two herbs that have been associated with relief of discomfort in AIDS patients.

Mrs Anne Hutchings of Indigenous Herbal Preparations gave the background to her involvement in HIV and AIDS, which centred on the HIV/AIDS support clinic at Ngwelezane Hospital established by Dr Peter Haselau in 1997. The clinic services were aimed at providing support and clinical care, and identifying affordable effective management protocols for people living with HIV and AIDS. In 1999, Mrs Hutchings was invited by Dr Haselau to collaborate in the management of patients on the basis of the observed effects of two creams she had developed using locally grown plants, for the treatment of skin problems commonly encountered in the course of AIDS-related infections.

In consultation with Dr Nigel Gericke, she advised on and dispensed herbal remedies for the relief of other opportunistic complications such as candidiasis, headache and various respiratory complaints. The remedies are prepared using fresh plant material harvested from her garden and the medicinal plant garden that she has developed at the University of Zululand. The numbers of people attending the clinic and electing to see and be treated by her have grown from 11 in November 1999 to over 400 by October 2002 [and over 800 by December 2003].

Tablets made from the dried leaves of the Sutherlandia plant are taken by all patients attending the clinic and are associated with observed improvements in weight, energy levels and general well-being. Toxicity tests on these leaves from the chemo-type grown for the manufacturing company PhytoNova were recently conducted by the MRC on vervet monkeys, and indicated safety in all the variables tested. There are many anecdotes documented on the efficacy of Sutherlandia, including evidence of raised CD4 counts and lowered viral loads. Many patients report rapid improvements in appetite and strength.

The herbal treatments offered by the clinic address many problems experienced by HIV/AIDS sufferers and promote a significant improvement in the quality of life in both non-wasted and terminal patients. Further development of these alternatives for use in home-based care and in hospital and industrial clinic settings is appropriate. A formal pilot study to confirm their observations of the therapeutic benefits and anecdotal evidence of raised CD4 counts in patients taking Sutherlandia as reported by Dr Gericke is urgently needed.

Ms Hutchings also noted that:

• In rural areas, where there is little access to clinics and care facilities are limited, training of health workers and caregivers, and the development of home or community growing of remedial plants would have a beneficial impact.
• Formal protocols need to be developed for training purposes.
• Lack of compliance and adequate nutrition are problems related to the poverty experienced by the majority of patients. Other social problems needing to be addressed include stigmatisation and lack of education.


Speaking for the Western medical tradition, Dr Mohamed Solwa said that he was impressed with the possibilities for integration of the two knowledge systems, as outlined by the previous speakers. He believed it was important to be open-minded about the various approaches and methods available and to view people holistically.

He noted that ancient Greek and Arab medicine had been practised in this manner, and these practitioners had used only the herbs available in the 9th and 12th Centuries to excellent effect. As modern Western medicine developed, products extracted from the original plants, synthesised and modified in laboratories became influenced by market forces, and the use of the original, natural remedies was actively discouraged.

The full report can be downloaded on the righthand side of this page.