Moringa is widely used as a nutritional and medicinal supplement, including by people managing chronic illness. This survey measured how commonly Moringa oleifera is consumed by HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
It was a cross-sectional survey of 263 HIV-infected adults at an opportunistic-infections clinic in Zimbabwe’s national ART programme, using a piloted questionnaire.
What the study examined
- The prevalence and extent of moringa use among patients on ART.
- Moringa’s role as a nutritional and medicinal supplement in this group.
- Real-world consumption patterns in a clinical population.
Caveat: a usage survey, not an efficacy or safety study. Patients on any medication (including ART) should consult a healthcare provider, as herb-drug interactions are possible. Not medical advice.
Summary of: Monera, T. G. & Maponga, C. C. (2010). “Moringa oleifera supplementation by patients on antiretroviral therapy.” Journal of the International AIDS Society, 13(Suppl 4), P188. DOI: 10.1186/1758-2652-13-S4-P188. Summarised by MORIFA; full paper via the link above.