Traditional treatments for cancer can be intimidating, and some people may find it easier to explore natural treatments. Essiac has been touted as an herbal tea that can help boost immunity and help the body fight cancer, but clinical trials have yet to display this. If you have cancer and are considering complementary and alternative medicine, talk with your health care team about your possible options, and ask about essiac before consuming it.
Background
Essiac originated as a mixture of several kinds of plants: burdock root, slippery elm bark, sheep sorrel root and rhubarb root. It was developed in the 1920s by a nurse named Rene Caisse, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Other herbs like red clover, kelp, watercress and blessed thistle were added to the original combination and sold as the supplement called Flor-Essence, says the American Cancer Society. Essiac has been consumed for decades in Canada to help treat chronic illness, and while experimental studies have been done, there is little clinical information on the efficacy of this supplement.
Effects
Essiac tea reportedly contains numerous health benefits, but evidence-based data is lacking. According to a 2000 article published in the journal "Phytotherapy Research," case reports have found this supplement to improve quality of life and ease pain, and it has even slowed down the progression of cancer in some individuals. In laboratories, essiac has demonstrated antioxidant, antiestrogenic, antitumor and immunostimulant properties. These results are promising, but no reliable, high-quality clinical trials have been done with this supplement in order to recommend it to patients, states C. Ulbricht et al. in a 2009 article published in the "Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology."
Dosing Considerations
Essiac is consumed orally as a tea, and the amount of essiac is based on the condition for which it is being used. According to the National Cancer Institute, Flor-Essence, the commercial preparation, may be consumed daily in dosages of 30 mL and 360 mL, or 1 and 12 fluid oz., respectively. While the manufacturers of essiac and its related products say it is safe to use this supplement with other cancer therapies, some proponents of this supplement state that radiation or chemotherapy will have adverse effects on the immune system and interfere with the healing properties of essiac, says the National Cancer Institute. Consult your oncologist about whether you should take essiac before consuming it.
Side Effects and Interactions
Serious adverse reactions to essiac are rare, but some individuals may experience headache, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, a drop in blood sugar, and liver or kidney damage, says the American Cancer Society. Patients with liver or kidney disease should not take essiac because of the possibility of further damage. Individuals with diabetes should use caution when taking this supplement because of its possible effects on blood sugar. Talk with your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are taking and whether these have the potential to interact with essiac.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Essiac
- "Phytotherapy Research"; The Chemistry and Biological Activity of Herbs Used in Flor-Essence Herbal Tonic and Essiac; C. Tamayo et al.; 2000
- "Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology"; Essiac: Systematic Review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration; C. Ulbricht et al.; 2009
- American Cancer Society: Essiac Tea
- National Cancer Institute: Essiac/Flor Essence
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