Essiac tea is a mixture of herbs, traditionally including burdock root, slippery elm, sheep sorrel and Indian rhubarb root. According to the American Cancer Society, although no clinical trials have been published to show that essiac is effective in cancer treatment, some of the specific herbs in the tea have shown anti-cancer properties in laboratory experiments. Herbal treatments should only be used under medical supervision.
Burdock Root
Burdock roots, seeds and leaves have historically been used for a wide range of ailments. The burdock plant is a member of the daisy family. Illnesses treated with this herb include colds, gout, stomach ailments and cancers. Drugs.com reports that preliminary studies seem to verify potential medical benefits in the treatment of cancer. Burdock is considered generally safe with few reported side effects.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm has been used for centuries in North America for numerous ailments. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree is dried and powdered to use for medicinal purposes. It contains mucilage, which becomes a thick gel when mixed with water. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) states that although little scientific research has been conducted on slippery elm, it is often utilized for medical conditions. Although an ingredient in essiac tea, cancer treatment is not listed as a benefit.
Sheep Sorrel
Sheep sorrel is a plant also known as sour grass or sour weed, traditionally used by Native Americans. It contains vitamins A, C and E, which are antioxidants that can help protect against certain diseases including cancer. Historically, sheep sorrel has been used to treat inflammation, scurvy and cancer. However, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, there are no published trials evaluating the efficacy of sheep sorrel for any of these claims. At low does, sheep sorrel can be used to treat diarrhea; however, higher doses act as a laxative.
Indian Rhubarb Root
Indian rhubarb root is the final ingredient in essiac tea. Rhubarb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, and is still present today in various herbal preparations. Chinese researchers published their findings on the anti-cancer properties of rhubarb in the September 2007 issue of "Medical Research Reviews." The researchers noted that the compound found in rhubarb called anthraquinone could effectively stop the uptake of glucose in cancer cells. They concluded that several active anthraquinones in rhubarb contain promising anti-cancer properties.
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