Essiac Tea: A Cure For Cancer? - Ancestral Nutrition

Essiac tea was re-discovered by Rene Caisse. She was a Canadian nurse working at a hospital when she encountered a woman who claimed to have been cured of breast cancer. The woman and her husband did not have a lot of money, so they turned to alternative measures to treat her cancer, specifically an Ojibway Indian healer. This is why I say re-discovered. The healer told the woman to make a tea from specific herbs, which she did. Her cancer went away and never returned. Caisse had the woman write down the herbs, which she then gave to her aunt that was suffering from stomach cancer. Her aunt lived for 21 more years with no recurrence of cancer.

Essiac tea is made up of specific herbs that are great for detoxifying the body and strengthening the immune system. It contains burdock root, slippery elm inner bark, sheep sorrel and Indian rhubarb root. Let’s explore each.

Burdock Root

Burdock is used to purify the blood, clear skin, reduce fevers, combat cancer cells, promote urine flow and fight bacteria and inflammation. In addition to being a great blood purifier, burdock is also exhibits antioxidant properties.

Slippery Elm Inner Bark

Slippery elm is very soothing to the digestive tract. It is often used to treat ulverative colitis, diarrhea, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. It coats and soothes mucous membranes while also absorbing toxins in the digestive tract. It is also a powerful anti inflammatory and inflammation is the basis of all disease.

Sheep Sorrel

From the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine,

“Sheep sorrel is gaining popularity as an anticancer agent and for its ability to break down and reduce tumors. A poultice made from sheep sorrel is reported to have a drawing effect on tumors or cysts. Sheep sorrel’s rutins and polysaccharides act to prevent tumors and other cancerous growths. The beta carotene contained in sheep sorrel acts as an antioxidant, increasing the production of white blood cells and T-cells (cancer-killing cells). The chlorophyll in sheep sorrel acts to purify the liver, promote regeneration of tissue, decrease swelling of the pancreas, strengthen cell walls, cleanse the blood, and may increase resistance to x rays. The oxalic acid also has antitumor and anticancer properties. Sheep sorrel has also been used to treat the side effects of chemotherapy.”

Sheep sorrel is high in chlorophyll which helps oxygenate cells, cancer cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. It is also said that it can kill parasites and remove toxins from the blood. It is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti inflammatory.

Indian Rhubarb

Indian rhubarb has been used for thousands of years, particularly in Chinese medicine (they still use it today). In China, it was used to relieve constipation, fevers and swelling. It is also used for inflamed colon, diarrhea, inflammation, hemorroids, bacterial infections and various other ailments.

How Effective Is Essiac?

Caisse was able to open her own clinic to treat cancer patients. From all of my research, patients at the clinic improved drastically; tumors shrank and cancer cells disappeared. The only people admitted to the clinic were those who had exhausted all other options, terminally ill patients who had done gone through chemotherapy and other typical cancer treatments and had not been cured. Imagine if they had used this from the beginning, or if they had used essiac prior to getting cancer. Essiac isn’t a definite cure for cancer, but there is some evidence it can cure or at the the very least improve early stages of cancer. Everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. Of course, check with your doctor if you are suffering from cancer to formulate the best plan for you. At the very least, essiac is very detoxing. Here are some of my favorite Amazon reviews on the efficacy of essiac.

I began taking this tea 2x a day after being diagnosed with stage 3 precancerous cervical cells. 3 weeks later I was visiting the oncologist for a consult so that he could plan surgery to remove the cells. Turns out, he didn’t have to perform any surgery at all, as the cells had disappeared.

My husband has taken the Flor-Essence tea since 1996 when he was initially
diagnosed with Stage 2 prostate cancer. After being diagnosed with the cancer in
1995, he underwent radiation therapy. At the time, it appeared the radiation was
successful since his PSA levels were normal. As you might imagine, we were both
ecstatic about this. However, this happiness was short-lived.In 1996, a
follow up PSA test showed the PSA level had started to increase. His urologist
said this was not good believing the radiation did not get all of the
cancer. After consulting with a local health food expert, I started my
husband on the Flor-Essence tea, Flora Pro-Essence (specifically for the
prostate), and modified citrus pectin (known to kill cancer cells). During an
exam, his urologist told us after reviewing his PSA level (now normal), “I don’t
what you are doing, but whatever it is it’s working.”

In 2004, after taking HRT, my mother (then 56 y/0) observed a lump on her breast. A follow up MRI showed 3 small (too small for biopsy) cysts in 3 different organs-lung, liver, and adrenal gland. I ran a tumor marker blood test and sure enough it was elevated. I cannot remember who recommended her this tea, but i am sure glad they did! She took it for at least 1.5 months. Then she had the MRI repeated…the cysts were no longer there. I ran the same blood test on her to make sure, and it was “0”. She has had no problems since, but she also discontinued the HRT.

Where to Buy Essiac

This already made blend is great; I buy it twice a year for a detox. You can get it HERE.