Essiac, a popular alternative cancer treatment, was created by Canadian nurse Rene Caisse in the 1920s, according to the health website MedlinePlus. Although the exact formula is a secret, the active ingredients consist of four herbs indigenous to Ontario, Canada. Other possible uses for Essiac include use as an appetite stimulant, relief from kidney stones, treatment of Lyme disease and a general well-being enhancer.
History
Essiac, Caisse spelled backward, was based on an American Indian remedy discovered by Caisse while working with an elderly breast cancer survivor who attributed her recovery to the Ojibway Indian concoction, according to the website the History of Essiac and Nurse Renee Caisse. Caisse developed her own version and administered it to cancer patients for free. Caisse gave samples of the formula to Dr. Charles Brusch of the Cambridge, Massachusetts Brusch Medical Center in the 1950s. Essiac Canada International acquired all rights to the product in 1995 and now holds the trademark for the formula.
Herbal Ingredients
Essiac is composed of four herbs: burdock root, slippery elm inner bark, sheep sorrel and Indian rhubarb root. Burdock root is used in herbal remedies to relieve mucus, eliminate toxins from the body and stimulate the immune system. Slippery elm can also help reduce mucus throughout the body. Sheep sorrel is used as a diuretic to cool the body by stimulating sweat glands and Indian rhubarb root as a laxative.
Evidence
The health website MedlinePlus gives Essiac a "C" grade, meaning the scientific evidence is unclear at this point to recommend for or against use of this formula in the treatment of cancer. Investigations performed by the Canadian government in the 1930's could not find clear evidence of the effectiveness, and Caisse refused to provide United States cancer researchers with the recipe.
Risks
The safety of the Essiac formula as a whole has not been scientifically studied enough to make a conclusive determination. Allergies to the formula are rare, but some individuals might have reactions to the individual herbs. The tannins found in all four herbs are toxic if taken in large doses, leading to liver and kidney damage. Rhubarb root and sheep sorrel can cause diarrhea and dehydration. Burdock root can cause complications in diabetic patients by either raising or lowering blood sugar.
Buying Essaic
The trademarked Essiac brand states that it is made in Canada, it features a Canadian flag on the label and is sold by Essiac Canada International. Brands without this information are counterfeit. Essiac comes in liquid, powder and capsule form. Costs vary depending on retailer and form, but average about $40 per box or bottle, as of 2010.
Member Comments