Herb Sourcing
ViraPhyte™ is a concentrate of pre-cooked, powdered herbs that is dissolved in hot water, and taken as a tea. We have carefully researched vendors and have found Blue Dragon Herbs, Santa Monica, CA, which uses the highest quality organic, wild-crafted or minimally processed herbs in China. Most Blue Dragon Herbs are organically grown or wild-crafted at least 100 km (62 miles) from any industrial manufacturing and 50 km (31 miles) from any town of more than 1,000 residents. Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers have never been used on the land. Blue Dragon Herbs are processed under strict GMP guidelines which meet or exceed Western pharmaceutical standards. Check http://www.bluedragonchineseherbs.com for more information on Blue Dragon's herbs.
About the Herb Formula
ViraPhyte™ contains 84% organically grown herbs. All ingredients in ViraPhyte™ are plant substances. No animal or mineral products are included. These herbs are commonly used in traditional Chinese herbology, and are generally considered safe. The herbs selected for the formula were chosen based on:
1. Traditional Chinese herb properties and Chinese medical treatment concepts.
2. The presentation of HIV as understood through classic Chinese medicine diagnostic principles.
3. A physiological understanding of how HIV causes immune and gastrointestinal system damage.
4. Evidence of an herb’s anti-HIV activity from laboratory testing.
5. Western medical research on an herb’s known activity on cellular and viral factors related to HIV progression.
There is no assurance that using ViraPhyte™ will stabilize or increase T-cell counts, or lower viral load. From our past and current monitoring of ViraPhyte™ in volunteers, we have seen T-cell increases and lowering of HIV viral load. The investigators have also observed stabilization of T-cells and viral load with good general health. Some participants did not respond at all. We have seen a patient who for months had a T-cell increase and viral load decrease, but who eventually began to lose T-cells, but maintained a low viral load. During the use of ViraPhyte™, the patient also saw improvements of several other blood marker including: CD4/CD8 ratio, WBC, RBC, platelets, triglycerides, AST, ALT, absolute neutrophils/lymphocytes and albumin. Subsequently, he stopped the formula due to decreasing T-cells, and started medications with excellent results.
We have been testing and refining this formula since 2002; our first pilot study was in 2003-2004. The formula has been well-tolerated, with very few side effects which were easily alleviated by decreasing the dose. We ask patients to start the formula slowly to avoid any rapid detoxification reaction to the herbs. Many patients have comfortably been using the formula for up to one year without any strong side effects.
Occasional complaints from using ViraPhyte™ include: loose stools and stomach upset or reflux. Reducing the dosage typically resolves this. Note: the investigators have not determined an optimal dose, and ideally the dose should be based on body weight.
The use of ViraPhyte™ for HIV infection is experimental, and its scope of use is still to be determined. Because many of the formula's herbs are also traditionally used to address the causes of high cholesterol, triglycerides and elevated liver enzymes, the investigators also hope that the use of the formula during a break may also help to reverse certain ARV side effects.
Precautions
Recent data suggest that treatment interruptions (breaks) from antiretrovirals may have attendant risks. However, other studies suggest methods to minimize these risks. The potential risk of stopping ARV drugs may be significant; if you are on ARV medications, you should discuss the possibility of these risks with your primary care physician. The investigators are prepared to discuss questions about this decision. Patients with less than 250 T-cells are nearing risk of opportunistic infections. As the anti-HIV effects ViraPhyte™ are presently not known, we strongly advise patients with less than 250 T-cells to start or re-initiate antiretroviral therapy. If you wish to start ViraPhyte™ with less than 250 T-cells, we require a signed statement stating that you have been counseled by us to speak with your doctor about starting ARV therapy.
