Efficacy of lemon juice for preventing HIV infection

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

Not too long ago, I posted a message regarding the exciting prospect that

lemon juice, applied topically to the vagina, may act as a microbicide and

prevent transmission of HIV. This discovery has been made by Professor

Short and his team, working at the University of Melbourne, Australia. The

essential facts are as follows:

1. Lemon juice has a low pH (is acidic), and this is the presumed mechanism

of HIV destruction.

2. 10% lemon juice applied to virus culture has been shown to markedly

reduce the quantity of HIV.

3. Similarly, 20% lemon juice inhibits sperm mobility.

4. Animal studies have shown no adverse effects in the vaginas of primates

to which lemon juice was frequently applied, on histological review.

5. Lemon juice, applied to condoms for a prolonged period of time, has no

adverse effect on their structure.

Much more information is available on the website, www.aids.net.au

We do not know yet whether application of lemon juice is a practical, effective

method of preventing HIV transmission in humans. We propose that 3-4ml of neat

lemon juice (ie a teaspoon full) could be soaked in cotton wool, and applied

using a teaspoon into the vagina, against the cervix, prior to intercourse.

A clinical trial to assess the efficacy of this method as a contaceptive has

recently commenced in Bangkok, Thaiand, with the full support of the Thai

government. We are keen to establish whether this method could be used to

prevent HIV transmission to women.

Given the alarmingly high increase in HIV in India, we feel that India would

be the logical place to conduct clinical trials. If this method proves

succesful, it would be wonderful for the promotion of the technique to be

able to convey it as an " Indian " invented measure.

We are seeking feedback from any groups or institutions based or working in

India, who would be interested in collaborating with us on this work.

Ideally, we would conduct this work beginning next year.

Thanks for your time in reading this message.

Dr Sant-Rayn Pasricha

E-mail: santapasricha@...