Essiac tea is promoted as an immune-booster that can reduce tumors and otherwise aid people who suffer from cancer, help AIDS patients and alleviate digestive issues. Several herbs are combined to make Essiac tea. Depending on the brand, it can including slippery elm inner bark, burdock root, sheep sorrel, red clover, kelp, Indian rhubarb root, watercress and blessed thistle, according to the American Cancer Society. Essiac tea is popular, but several concerns exist in the medical community.
Unproven
Essiac tea is not a proven remedy. No published clinical trials exist in conventional medical journals. Some of the herbs in the Essiac mixture, however, do have proven anti-cancer effects as per laboratory experiments. Most laboratory studies of Essiac find no effectiveness against cancer cells. The ACS says research shows it increases breast cancer cell growth. There can be serious consequences in regard to health when people rely on Essiac tea alone and delay or avoid medical care for cancer and other ailments.
Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions to Essiac tea are rare, reports ACS. People who have an allergy to members of the Asteraceae/Compositae family---including ragweed--- however, have the potential to suffer a reaction, according to the National Institutes of Health. Allergies potentially can occur because of other included herbs as well. For example, ingesting rhubarb leaf has led to reported cases of anaphylaxis. Allergic reactions also are reported to sorrel products that are ingested. Slippery elm bark, rhubarb leaves and burdock are known to cause contact dermatitis. People allergic to daisies, chrysanthemums and marigolds can have cross-sensitivity to burdock.
Side Effects
Serious reported side effects with Essiac tea are not common, according to ACS. In some cases, however, the tea can cause liver or kidney damage. Risk of this is greatest when the tea is taken with other agents that also affect these organs, advises NIH. The tea also may bring about nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea or constipation or low blood sugar, reports ACS.
Toxicity
There are potentially toxic compounds present in the tea, according to NIH. These include oxalic acid, tannins and anthraquinones. Oxalic acid poisoning can cause vomiting, dangerously low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, throat swelling that interferes with breathing and seizure. Deaths from oxalic acid poisoning have been reported. The amount of oxalic acid that exists in Essiac tea is not known. Tannins can cause stomach upset and lead to kidney or liver damage in high concentrations. Long-term use of tannins theoretically increases risk of head and neck cancers. Anthraquinones come from rhubarb and can lead to fluid loss, diarrhea and intestinal cramping. Some rhubarb products manufactured in China are contaminated with heavy metals, advises NIH.
Pregnancy
The NIH recommends that pregnant and breast-feeding women avoid Essiac tea due to potential risks from the included herbs. The substances anthraquinone glycosides and oxalic acid in included herbs are likely unsafe during pregnancy. Burdock and rhubarb can cause the uterus to contract.
Interactions
Essiac tea may interact with a host of medicines and other herbs, advises NIH. It can raise levels of some drugs in the blood, may affect blood sugar levels, has estrogen-like properties that can increase effects of hormone replace therapy and birth control pills, and may interact with antibiotics, antacids, ACE inhibitors, agents used to combat cancer including chemotherapy, and heart-regulating medicines. It can intensify diuretic and laxative effects of other herbs. Any new alternative health remedy, such as Essiac tea, needs to be discussed with a health care professional.
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