Essiac Tea

It was 1922, and Nurse Rene Caisse was given a formula alleged to have cured cancer. She experimented with it and narrowed down the formula to only four herbs each of which grew in her region of Ontario, Canada. She named this formula Essiac, ("Caisse" spelled backwards), and it is taken as a tea. Nurse Caisse successfully treated her Aunt and later her Mother - In 1924 she tested the tea on her aunt who had cancer of the stomach and was given about six months to live. Her aunt lived for another 21 years, cancer free. She later gave the tea to her 72-year old mother who was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the liver, with only days to live. Her mother recovered and lived without cancer for another 18 years. She would devote over 50 years of her life to the successful treatment of allegedly terminal cancers with this tea...

The four main herbs that make up Essiac are Burdock Root, Slippery Elm (inner bark), Sheep Sorrel, and Indian Rhubarb Root. They are not taken in equal proportions, so it is best to find this tea made by reputable sources.

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) Used to help reduce mucus, maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, stimulate a healthy immune response, for weak digestion, as a diuretic for water retention and to sweat out toxins through the skin. It has vitamin A and selenium to help reduce free radicals and its chromium content helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

Slippery Elm inner bark (Ulmus Fulva) Contains large amounts of tannins and mucilages which help dissolve mucus deposits in tissue, glands and nerve channels. The inner bark, which is also rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamins(A,B,C,K), helps to nourish and soothe organs, tissues and mucus membranes and is helpful to the lungs. It also helps neutralize acids from indigestion.

Sheep Sorrel (Rumex Acetosella) Used to cool the body, create sweating and detoxification through the skin: as a diuretic it is useful in maintaining healthy kidney and urinary functions. It is rich in vitamins and trace minerals (ascorbic acid, mineral oxides, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and rutin). It also nourishes the glandular system.

Turkey Rhubarb Root (Rheum Officinale) Used in small amounts, this herb acts as a gentle laxative and helps purge the liver of toxic buildup and waste. It helps neutralize acids due to indigestion. Its malic acid also carries oxygen to all parts of the body, aiding in healing and promoting a positive, balancing effect upon the whole digestive system.