Benefits Of The Herb Essiac

The Essiac herbal remedy is a combination of four herbs, states the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Taken from a Native Canadian Indian formula, Essiac consists of burdock root, slippery elm, rhubarb root and sheep sorrel. In the 1920s, Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, found the formula and started giving it to her cancer patients. The news of Essiac, which is "Caisse" spelled backwards, spread throughout the healing community, and the remedy is still in use today, despite the lack of scientific research backing the claims.

Cancer

The main use of Essiac is to treat the symptoms of cancer. Caisse reported that hundreds of cancer patients recovered from their disease after using the herbal blend. Before her death, Caisse sold the production rights to a Canadian company, Resperin Corp., which still owns the rights and produces Essiac tea and powder, available as a dietary supplement.
Caisse claimed that Essiac purified the blood and removed cancerous tissue from the body. She thought the herbal blend also strengthened the immune system, allowing the body to fight off the cancer. Studies conducted on Essiac since Caisse’s time do not confirm any cancer-fighting properties in the herbal blend, but Gale reports that some patients, including Rene Cassie’s own mother, recovered from cancer after receiving an official diagnosis that their cancer was untreatable. Researchers credit a “placebo effect” for the cures.

AIDS

Because of its reputation as an immunity enhancing formula, AIDS patients sometimes use Essiac, but research supporting this use is lacking. In a report published by PubMed, an online publication of the National Institutes of Health, former chiropractor Gary Glum advises that sheep sorrel may destroy cancer cells, and Dr. Jim Chan, naturopathic physician, advises that burdock root contains inulin and may increase immunity. Scientific verification is needed.

Other Uses

In addition to cancer and AIDS treatment, Gale lists other potential uses for Essiac, including treatment of diabetes, liver disorders, thyroid conditions and inflammation of the skin. It may also be beneficial in treating chronic diarrhea, high cholesterol, pain, low energy and ulcers.
Gale reports no known side effects from the use of Essiac as recommended by the manufacturer but advises pregnant women and nursing mothers not to use Essiac unless directed to do so by their obstetricians.