Essiac tonic is a dietary supplement consisting of a mixture of herbs that contain nutrients. Its supporters, who include some cancer patients and doctors, claim it strengthens the immune system and regenerates degenerated cells in the body. Before taking Essiac tonic, check with your doctor. The preparation's supposed health benefits have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
History
Essiac tonic was named after a Canadian nurse named Rene Caisse in 1922 by spelling her last name backward. According to Caisse, a breast cancer patient told her about a medicine man from the Ojibway Indian tribe and the tea he told her to drink, made from herbs that grew in the wilderness in Ontario. When the cancer went into remission and showed no signs of returning, Caisse investigated further, treating some of her patients with the mixture and seeing positive results. Caisse told doctors and eventually convinced them to help her set up a lab and test clinic.
Ingredients
Essiac tonic is mainly made of burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm tree bark and rhubarb root. Burdock root is traditionally used as a diuretic. It contains vitamin A and selenium. Sheep sorrel has been used in folk herbalism for cooling the body. It is rich in ascorbic acid, calcium, magnesium, mineral oxides, potassium and silicon. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree is rich in vitamins A, B, C and K, magnesium and calcium. Rhubarb root has traditionally been used as a laxative and contains malic acid, which aids in the production of energy.
Forms of Essiac Tonic
Essiac tonic is marketed in three different forms. The original brand name Essiac Tonic comes in liquid form. It is taken by drops to your tongue. Essiac tonic is also marketed as capsules designed to be swallowed with water. It's sold as a powder to be taken with warm water as an herb tea. If you plan on taking Essiac tonic, ask your doctor what form and what doses are right for you. No form of Essiac tonic should be taken during a pregnancy.
Clinical Trials
Dr. Richard Leonardo was a coroner and surgical specialist who observed Rene Caisse's work on her patients. He became one of Caisse's supporters after spending four days at her clinic.
Dr. E. Brook Hendrick was the chief of neurosurgery at the University of Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. In 1983, he wrote to the Canadian Minister of Health and Welfare saying he approved of clinical trials of Essiac. According to Hendrick, 8 out of 10 patients he tested were able to forgo regular cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
Though there have been positive testimonials by both patients and doctors, not enough research has been done to establish Essiac Tonic as a cancer treatment approved by the medical establishment.
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