HIV/AIDS Prevention: Lime to the rescue?
5 new ways to battle HIV infection

The Mary Magdalene project of the Australian AIDS Fund is of the view that HIV unchecked spread among the poor in the developing countries is because of our failure to put in place simple preventative methods that are available and affordable to those living on under $2 (N280) a day. From a material made available to NigeriaHIVinfo.com on Saturday February 18, 2006, lime/lemon may one soon prove to be nature's own microbicide to defend against HIV infection. In a review of ongoing debate on its efficacy and safety, a journal of the Australian Royal Society has discussed five new ways to battle HIV infection using lime/lemon.

The approaches include:(i) A natural microbicide. Intravaginal lime or lemon juice has been used for centuries as a traditional contraceptive. The juice can also kill HIV in the laboratory, but clinical trials are needed to see if vaginal application is acceptable, safe and effective. (ii) Intravaginal oestrogen. Monkeys can be protected from Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection by keratinizing the vagina with topical oestrogen. If women take the oral contraceptive pill vaginally it retains its contraceptive efficacy, and the oestrogen it contains should thicken the vagina and protect against HIV infection. Clinical trials are needed. (iii) Male circumcision. Removal of the inner foreskin removes the main site of HIV entry into the penis, resulting in a sevenfold reduction in susceptibility to infection. The practice needs to be promoted. (iv) Post-coital penile hygiene. Wiping the penis immediately after intercourse with lime or lemon juice or vinegar should kill the virus before it has had a chance to infect. A clinical trial of efficacy is needed. (v) PhotoVoice. Asking schoolchildren in developing countries to photograph their impressions of HIV/AIDS is a powerful way of getting them to discuss the subject openly, and develop their own preventative strategies”.

The full paper can be viewed at www.aids.net.au/lemons-news-mary-magdalene.htm and is also available here.