Our genetic DNA is responsible for regulating the growth of cells. Mutations are abnormal changes occurring in our genes. The result of a mutated cell dividing, multiplying and forming a tumor is cancer. Essiac tea was originally developed by nurse Rene Caisse in the 1920s and promoted as a cancer treatment. It consists of four herbs that grow in the wilderness of Ontario, Canada. Today, Essiac tea is sold as an herbal supplement. Consult with your doctor before taking any herbal treatments, including Essiac Tea.
Essiac Tea Ingredients
Essiac is a mixture of herbs combined and made into a tea. Essaic's four main herbs are burdock root, slippery elm Inner bark, sheep sorrel and Indian, or Turkish, rhubarb Root. Burdock was used because it has vitamin A and selenium to help reduce free radicals, and its chromium content helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. Slippery Elm is rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamins A,B,C and K, and it is reported to help nourish and soothe organs, tissues and mucus membranes. Sheep Sorrel was thought to nourish the glandular system and Indian rhubarb root is reported to purge the liver of toxins.
Theory Behind Essiac
Essiac tea is reported to make the immune system stronger, to have anti-inflammatory effects and to possess anticancer activity. Promoters of Essiac claim that the tea improves well-being, relieves pain, increases appetite, reduces tumor size and extends survival. Essiac has been claimed to cleanse the blood, promote cell repair, restore energy and detoxify the body.
Anticancer Effects
The herbs contained in the Essiac mixture have shown some anticancer effects. A study titled "In vitro analysis of the herbal compound Essiac,"conducted by Seely and colleagues and published in the journal "Anticancer Research" in November 2007, analyzed the herbal compound Essiac and found it to have some antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Another study conducted by Tamayo and colleagues titled "The chemistry and biological activity of herbs used in Flor-Essence herbal tonic and Essiac," that was published February 14, 2000, in the journal "Phytotherapy Research," suggested that the tea improves quality of life, alleviates pain and impacts cancer progression.
Effectiveness and Side Effects
There is no available scientific evidence to support Essiac's use for the treatment of cancer, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Essiac to treat cancer. No results from controlled trials have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals on the effect of Essiac, which makes the claims less credible. There is no conclusive evidence that Rene Caisse's herbal formula will alleviate, cure or prevent cancer. Also, Essiac tea has been reported to cause nausea and vomiting.
References
- Altramed Health Products Inc.: The History of Essiac & Nurse Rene M. Caisse
- National Cancer Institute: Questions and Answers About Essiac
- American Cancer Society: Essiac Tea
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine: The Chemistry and Activity of Herbs Used in Flor-Essence Herbal Tonic and Essiac, Tamayo et al, Feb. 14, 2000
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, In vitro analysis of the herbal compound Essiac, Seely et al, November 2007
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