Essiac Original Formula 4 simple herbs;
27% Burdock C/S: 55% Sheep Sorrel: 4 % Rhubarb: 14% Slippery Elm
... promote health, strengthen the immune system, improve appetite, relieve pain, improve overall quality of life and shrink the size of tumors."
quoted from The University of Texas-Houston Not bad for Four Simple Herbs...
A woman who worked with Rene, was given a formula with four extra herbs.
Essiac 8: adds; Kelp (2 parts), Red Clover (1 part), Blessed Thistle (1 part), Watercress (0.4 parts). According to reports Rene Caisse experimented with these and other ones but finally settled on the original four herbs.
A Traditional Chinese Medicinal perspective of essiac tea
Essiac, used as a popular herbal formula for cancer patients and other auto-immune conditions, is a well balanced formula, designed to 'cleanse the blood' of 'toxins'.In terms of Chinese herbal medicine criteria; essiac is largely focused on clearing heat from the blood and blood division in warm diseases, and to some degree, relieving blood stasis. Maybe contraindicated for Spleen Qi or Yang Deficient patients, Kidney Yang Deficient patients with Cold however the dosage is extremely low (by TCM standards), and in practice appears to work well - without side affects in in relatively high doses or when used in conjunction with other interventions such as chemotherapy.Red Clover (used in some essiac formulas) is cool, sour and clears heat from the blood. Not unlike Mu Dan Pi. Red Clover, and clover in general, contains a blood thinning principle known as "coumarin", from which the drug "coumadin" is designed synthetically, known commonly as "Warfarin"). While Vitamin E and Red Clover may be indicated after the surgery, their use immediately prior to surgery may contribute to difficulties in the naturally accentuated clotting abilities of the blood immediately following surgery. Although common signs of blood thinning include bruising easily and nose bleeds, the interpretation of these symptoms is often subjective, and the further fact that internal bleeding is often without symptoms
Sheep sorrel is also sour, cool and astringing, and clears blood heat.
Burdock Root is from the same plant as Niu Bang Zi/sm. arctium lappa which is a wind/heat clearing medicinal. The root is used in western herbal medicine, again, to clear heat from the blood.
Slippery Elm is bland, sweet and neutral, regulating the spleen, stomach and large intestine. It would seem to balance this prescription.
Rhubarb (untreated, unlike much of the Chinese Da Huang, mostly wine-fried) clears heat from the blood and drains it from the bowels. In this formula, its precipitating effect would depend on how long it is cooked in this formula.Caution and side affects
Nausea and/or indigestion, generally caused by eating or drinking too soon before or after drinking the tea. Intestinal or digestive discomfort, caused principally as the body tries to eliminate toxins. This function is notably achieved by Rhubarb and Slippery Elm, both laxatives This action is reduced by the recommended second boiling of the herbs (see booklet). This is not common with the extracts that have undergone this extra treatment principle - but may yet occur in certain individuals. If the toxins can not be released via the normal method (through the urine and stool) if may be expelled through the skin as well. Such reactions as skin rash, fever and chills. These reactions are commonly referred to as a healing crisis. But may also be a allergic reaction. Some people are allergic to Elm and therefore to Slippery Elm Bark. Sheep Sorrel, should be avoided if on a low oxylate diet.
If discomfort occurs, stop taking the tea for several days until feeling better. Then begin taking it again at half the dose you were taking an only take every other day. Gradually increase the interval and dosage to the desired levels. Call toll free 1.888.425.8827 (California time 8-5) Ed Kasper LAc. California licensed acupuncturist & medicinal herbalist
How to Sterilize Bottles. by Jan Hodges. editor of the independent essiac web site
http://theherbs.info/recipe2.html#surprise
Kombucha Authors; Guenther Frank, Beth Ann Petro, Betsy Proctor, Rosina Fasching, Harald W Tietz, and Bartholomew all write about the benefits of kombucha in fighting cancer and other diseases. In Harald W. Tietze's books he often cites Kombucha especially in combination with other medicinal herbs - and kombucha combined with essiac tea as being an affective aid in combating various cancers. Bartholomew writes about treating cancer in cats with kombucha teaWe believe our Kombucha, White Tea and Essiac Extract is an excellent combination as referred to in Harald Tietz, and others book plus with our distilled kombucha which acts as a natural preservative for the essiac . (similar to vinegar) avoids the common problems of commercially prepared alcohol extracts.According to TCM, Kombucha balances the Middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach). By aiding the stomach to better digest food and by assisting the spleen to deliver more nutrition, the body heals itself. The value of any benefits and/or perceived results derived from its use are subjective due to variable individual health factors and metabolic differences which tend to make the formula more or less adaptogenic Results, if any, vary greatly among individuals.
A Comparison Of Essiac With Related Formulas
by Roger Lewis C.H. http://www.herbalists.on.ca/forum/essiac1.html
(Watercress, Kelp, Blessed thistle and Red Clover)I think they're appropriate but not necessary. If they are desired, it can be arranged with some difficulty, mostly due to the relative obscurity of Blessed Thistle and Stillingia, which may also add to the problem described above relating to Red Clover & blood thinners. Stillingia is undoubtedly a herb renowned for its ability to purify the blood. Thistles in general have a similar history. The seaweed Kelp is fairly safe, but it can disturb the taste of the formula. If desired, many other seaweed options exist, ranging from using it as a seasoning in food, to using pills or tinctures. Perhaps the most relevant criticism of the addition of other herbs is that there is a perceived bonus value associated with these additions which may not actually increase the effectiveness of the product, yet is very likely to increase the appeal to the consumer, i.e. it could be primarily a marketing ploy.links to articles on Cancer:
Acupuncture for Cancer, Asthma, Food Allergies, Multiple Sclerosis - What Does the Research Say? http://www.pulsemed.org/acures2.htm
Diarrhea and Colon Cancer: A Chinese Medical Case Study http://www.pulsemed.org/coloncadiarrhea.htm
Breakthrough Anti-Cancer Herb http://www.pulsemed.org/dtach.htm
Chinese Herbs for Leukemia http://www.pulsemed.org/leukemiaherbs.htm
Giving Essiac to Pets by Jan Hodges
http://essiac-info.org/Pets/ (their old site)http://theherbs.info/ (new site)
"The next time I use essiac to treat a dog I am going to keep increasing the dose until he can't tolerate it and then back off. The dose I gave my Great Dane was four times the Rene Caisse recommendation and Sven lived about 8 months longer than he should have"
From the University of Texas – Houston School of Public Health
How To Take, Dosage, Side Affects and Possible Risks
Dose: 30 ml (1-oz.) 1-3 times per day
Recommended dosage (by Rene Caisse who used it to treat cancer) is one ounce of Essiac with two ounces of hot water at bedtime (on an empty stomach, about 2 - 3 hours after supper) every other day. This should be continued for 32 days, then taken every 3 days.
How to take it:
The tea should be drunk on an empty stomach, two hours before or after meals
Side effects:
These herbs may produce a laxative like effect, as well as nausea, headache, vomiting, and increased urination.
Possible risks:
Adverse effects have not yet been reported, however, an allergic reaction is always possible.
HappyHerbalist Certified Organic Essiac Tea and White Tea - Essiac Alcohol Free Extract