Since its adoption and promotion by a Canadian nurse nearly 100 years ago, Essiac has become popularly used for several reported health benefits. The herbal mixture’s most widely publicized health-related use is as cancer treatment, whether as adjunctive therapy to standard chemotherapy regimens or as comfort care for patients with terminal cases. The list of essiac tea benefits is long. In addition to its reported benefits in cancer, Essiac is also known for its usefulness in detoxification and immune system strengthening.
The original four-herb recipe contained:
- Burdock root (Rheum palmatum),
- Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella),
- Slippery elm bark (Ulmus fulva),
- Turkey rhubarb (Rheum pamatum).
Laboratory experiments have shown that these individual ingredients possess several important biochemical properties, such as antioxidant, immunostimulant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Antioxidant Properties
When the Essiac mixture was originally formulated by a Canadian Ojibwa healer an unknown number of years ago, it was intended to purify the body and maintain balance between body and spirit. In accordance with this, Essiac is frequently used for its antioxidant properties.
An antioxidant is a substance that prevents the generation and actions of free radicals, which are harmful byproducts produced by the body during the breakdown of food for energy or when the body is exposed to environmental toxins, such as tobacco smoke, air pollution, or radiation.
Scavenging of free radicals by antioxidants is important because the chemical instability of free radicals leads to cellular damage, which can lead to cell death, or even worse, cell injury and DNA damage, which is then propagated through that mutated cell’s replications. This can lead to accelerated and abnormal growth, which are precursors to cancer. Well-known antioxidants include, but are definitely not limited to:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta-Carotene
- Tannins
- Selenium
All of these mentioned antioxidants and many more are found in the individual ingredients in Essiac.
The first comprehensive laboratory investigation of Essiac was published by Seely et al in the International Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment in 2007, and among the study’s findings was a statistically significant antioxidant effect. Researchers involved in this study used a commercially available kit for measuring antioxidant activity, and found that Essiac has a several-times greater antioxidant activity than known antioxidants such as red wine, green tea, black tea, and cocoa. These antioxidant effects are likely related to Essiac’s reported usefulness in cancer, prevention of cardiovascular disease, decreasing risk of age-related eye disease, promoting brain health, and general health maintenance.
Immune Strengthening Effects
The immune system acts as the body’s defense against infection, but is also important in the recognition and prevention of the progression of cancer. Another well-promoted use of Essiac is as an immunostimulant, or immune system strengthener. Related to this effect on the immune system is Essiac’s reported anti-inflammatory effect.
The research study previously mentioned also examined the immune strengthening effects of Essiac. Researchers found a significant increase in the activity of several immune system cells when exposed to Essiac; however, there was no direct bacterial killing observed in this study. Interestingly, though, previous studies have shown that Essiac tincture (as opposed to Essiac tea) possesses weak to moderate anti-bacterial activity against several organisms important in human disease, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Specifically, burdock root has been shown to have antibacterial and fungistatic activity, while also inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory molecules.
Because of it immune strengthening effects, Essiac is commonly used for treating pain and swelling associated with generalized inflammation (such as that associated with arthritis and respiratory tract infections), HIV/AIDS, other infections, and cancer.
Due to the unique properties of the individual herbs in Essiac, in addition to the enhanced properties when the herbs are mixed together in the correct concentrations, Essiac tea benefits the body in many ways, including notable antioxidant and immune strengthening properties, both of which are valuable in the therapy of a myriad of health conditions.
learn something new everyday…..
life,love & health,
Suzanne Duffy
thank you Jesus for your use of Essiac tea herbs, especially sheep sorrel roots and the Ojibwa Indians and Rene Cassie………
Thank you Yehushua Ha Maschia (real name of Jesus meaning Salvation the Messiah) for all means you use to heal.
So can I use this tea just as a prevention method or as any other tea I use like Green tea even if I don’t have cancer? I read lot of things about Ossalic Acid or something like that that is supposed to give you kidney stones. Please reply. I just made 2.5 litres of it when I read everywhere is for treating cancer… what if someone like me at early 30 years of age is using it without any major sickness? Thank you!
What is the reply for Ponziolato’s questions?
I am also waiting for answer.
Thank you
Charlie
Yes you can take essiac tea for preventative measures. Many people do. Oxalic acid is only a concern if you already have a history of kidney stones and even then, the levels found in essiac tea are very low. There have actually been people that said essiac tea helped with their kidney stones.
You are supposed to start out slowly with this to one ounce on an empty stomach. That even was too much for me and my husband we had a dull headache all day long. My long-time nutritionist told me to skip a day then try one half ounce and see how I feel. I am taking it for inflammation and pain my husband is taking it just to detox and strengthen his immune system. I hope this helps.
Is this organic ? Just no pesticudes?
Thank you
I’ve used essiac tea and Noni juice for being diagnosed with cancerous lesion on my vocal cord. I just had CT scan, blood work and 3 ENT oncologist tell me that there’s no cancer. All test came back negative!
I’m so happy for you! I’ve been drinking it too and have amazing results with my Urinary Tract issues and a huge decrease in inflammation All the best to you!
Hello, was this the same tea/tonic that was called “Aunt Genevieve’s” back in the 90’s? I can’t find this anywhere! Thank you!
Hi Sandy,
You can buy it on amazon. I have purchased it there before and plan to get some more Friday.
Can someone who has been cured of cancer (or any other disease) tell me the dosage and strength amount they used? I bought some tea for a friend who has cancer and made it according to the package directions and dosage (1/4 cup to 1/2 gallon water/ take 3 oz. 3xdaily for cancer) but it made her nauseous and she couldn’t take it. I since read that taking more than 1 oz. daily is a waste of tea because your organs can only rid of so much waste anyway. Please help! Thank you!
Teresa,
Lots of makers or claimants of Rene’s original formula are out there. I have never seen the ratios you mention. The tea I buy from a distributor using the original formula and ratios show 1 oz. of dried tea will make 2 quarts of tea liquid. The proper dose is always 2 oz. at a time. If healthy and used as a prophylactic, it is recommended to consume once per day. If I’ll or treating anything other than cancer, twice per day. If patient has cancer and/or is on chemo, then 3 times per day. No more than this should be consumed per day.
That it’s the right amount to take and its the right amount of water and tea. I take the tea bcz I ha e cevical cancer I refuse chimo and radiation and recently had a nephrostosis. Today I go see the uroligist and oncologist my health is been inprubing so well and fast I have only taking the tea 3 weeks
A relative of mine had throat cancer and used vitamin B17 (laetrile) because she could not use Essiac tea. By the time she went to cancer treatment, her cancer was already shrinking and was 73% gone when she was only half way done with treatment! You might want to try this for her cancer instead of or in addition to Essiac. I also have a friend who had breast cancer and she took Essiac during her chemo and radiation treatment. She firmly believes that Essiac is the reason she never had the nausea and vomiting that many other people experienced during treatment.
Teresa, My husband had lymphoma in his stomach and lungs. I was told about essiac tea by a friend whose father had taken it. I put my husband on it , and in sympathy, I took it too. His cancer treatments only thinned his hair a bit and no nausea or weight loss. In 2010 he was cured and has been well since. His hair regrew CURLY ! After my heart attack in 2012 I had a chest xray. After smoling more than 40 yrs., my nurse said she would have given her eye teeth for lungs as clear as mine. However, I give God ALL the glory and thank Him for giving us natural cures as well as miracles. I am thankful for and recommend that all treatment begin by having many people praying for you. God bless!
Where can you buy the B17 (leatril)?
I been eating the apricot almond in the pit but I don’t know if is the same
I thank God for essiac tea. I drink it everyday and I can tell a huge difference in my body. The essiac tea formula has cured so many ailments I had. Thank you Jesus. Thank you
I have cancer stomach tumor size of grapefruit and liver cancer and I would anything to fight this disease and I want try the tea do you think the tea would help please I need to know
I have a friend in Sun City Center, Fl that had cancer about 20 years ago and was sent home to die. She drank
essiac tea and she is still living to this day and healthy. I don’t know how much she drank but I imagine it was what
is called for on the label. I am starting to drink it now as I am 73 and am not as healthy as I should be. It has been a
long and clowdy Ohio this winter and took its toll. I bought it off of essiac.com so it would be the real tea.
I say yes but you need stay away from beef, can food try fish or chicken. Organic fruit and vegetables. And be very consistent with the tea take it 3 times a day 3 onz every time after you make the tea dont strain the tea you have to drink the pulp. So before you serve it stir it. And try put it in a dark bottle light can change the chimicals in tea
good day,
anyone have any information when it comes down to brain tumors/cancers (GBM) ?
any help is good help!
thank you
Frankincense pureoil. Known to rub on back of neck, in hair to inhale. Also they to rub a little on the roof of mouth and iver time decreasetumor. Look for Ty Bollinger YouTube video with young who dod and got rid of her brain tumor after Dr give up. Blessings and healing.
Hello,
I have CLL since the last six months and am on a wait and watch from my oncologist. My wbc is rising every month, along with swelling of my lymph nodes. I wish to know whether Essiac tea would be useful in controlling my wbc and swellings.
I have read about its cure in many ailments but nothing about CLL. I will be grateful for a answer to my query.
Where is the best place to order Essiac tea?
Where can I buy Essiac tea?
Amazon has it and my fiance gets his in premeasured packs from renes healthy teas.com
My husband is on a blood thinner. Can he safely drink this tea? Thanks
My husband was diagnosed with cancer on November 5th 2015. They keep saying unknown primary could be sarcoma or carcinoma. His cancer is spreading rapidly. He is stage 4. I am willing to try anything to help him. Does essiac tea work for every cancer out there? Needs answers quickly. Thanks!
I’ve read it helps with all cancers. I’ve bought mine from the sight Ty Bolinger “The Truth about cancer” Promotes. It’s an eight herb tea.
Yes
Try surrender and Prayer to Jesus Christ. Also look up immune building supplements, Transfer Factor Plus, Glutamine Prime and Male Pro by 4Life. Also, get rid of SAD diet ( vegetable oil, processed foods, rice, flour, pastry, sugar, milk, powdered seasonings, etc ) and try Kangen water – drink close to 1 gallon per day until his system is purged. Reduce his Carb intake and stick to Pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cassava, yam, green bananas for carbs. Reduce his meat consumption or eliminate meat until he has conquered his health challenge. Make your own juice and absolutely no sugar added. Use herbs such as parsley, rosemary, etc for seasoning his food. Give him plenty raw or barely cooked (example 3 mins cooking time) veggies – Broccoli, Cauliflower, greens, cabbage are a must. Carrot and carrot juice very good. Chick Peas, Lentils, Red Kidney beans, Balck eyed peas, Cow peas, excellent source of protein. Almonds, Sunflower, Pumpkin seeds very good. Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium, Probiotics with enzyme (at least 50 billion cultures) Vitamin E, C, D, A + B complex very important.
Can You Warm Essiac Tea In Mirowave Brfore Drinking?
I recommend you throw your micro wave at the most corrupt cop you know.;)
Exactly, do not warm in microwave. Set it in a smaller glass incased in a hot cup of water if you want it heated.
Try not to use the microwave
Has anyone use essiac tea for fibroid and ovarian cysts?
Anyone out there with Chronic Lyme Disease?
Yes, I have chronic lyme disease and am on collodial silver. My local health food store recommended I use Statwest Botanicals Essiac tea. The owner has 3 other customers with lyme who use it and it is working for them. I bought it today and will make it tonight.
I have nodes on my thyroid…non cancer and not affecting hormone levels . So no symptoms of hyper or hypo. My naturopath says there is nothing in the essiac to hurt me…so here I go.
Thank you very much for the information. I’m a cancer patient, how long must I take the tea and where to purchase
I am kicking out a cancer lump in my breast. I have taken Essiac pill form for almost 3 months. No help yet. Also taking the glucan, rubbing in quality thyme and lemon grass essential oils, lots of high quality vitamins. I am really frustrated at all the 1 hour, 1/2 hr. & 15 min. before meals and on an empty stomach. Using barley green pills trying to up my PH which is very acidic. So far my trust in Jesus is working the best for peace and patients.
How is your diet though? Are you eating organic, no meets or dairy, no refined flours, no sugars …..and all? That’s really important!
Can you drink it cold and still get the benefits
Yes.We put 1 oz of the prepared tea into about 1 to 2 ounces of water and down it on an empty stomach. But both my husband and myself we’re getting dull headaches so are nutritional doctor told us to cut back to 1/2 oz we will see what happens. I’m taking it for inflammation he is taking it to detox.
I have been battling AK and SCC on my face for 3 years. My Dermatologist got his head under his wing with he own issues and never did a biopsy, just kept freezing the spots q 6mo. and then wanted to cut a hole in my nose to do Mhos surgery. However prayer and my precious Lord allowed my to use my medical knowledge and found Curaderm from Dr. William Cham, in Australia. Worked great but quite aggressive. Now I have a spot on each side of my nose and quite close to my eyes. I am leery to start, but must do something. Do you know of anyone with skin cancers that have benefited from the Essiac Tea. I have it in a measured package. Please share any knowledge. ASSP Thank you and God Bless you.
Ann Hutchins yes I’ve had skin cancer 3 times got butchered first time and used tea next two times worked great staying on it now.
Can I take Essiac for carcinoid tumors of the small intestines. I am told this type of cancer spreads through hormones and I thought I read on another site that Essiac boosts estrogen. Carcinoid tumors are typically treated using hormone injection therapy that is supposed to target hormones to prevent the cancer from spreading? I dont know if Essiiac would help or hurt myself.
Doesn’t seem like any questions are responded to … at least not in any timely manner. Is this thread not relevant anymore?
If you go to The Truth About Cancer website, they are hosting 9 documentaries all about cancers of all kinds and remedies to prevent and cure cancers. Videos started Nov 1 to the 9th at 9:00 pm. very informative
The directions on my bag of Essiac tea say to mix 4 tablespoons of dry essiac to one quart of water. The post earlier to mix 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of dry essiac to 2 quarts is wrong according to the directions on the essiac tea bag. Follow the mixture ratio directions on the bag regardless of how much you are consuming per day for your personal purpose.
Hi can I pls ask if the cancer is of an estrogen hormonal nature should I take Essie’s tea or not I am confused about this can someone pls answer this question for me .thankyou
Hi, I’m taking 15 mg of prednisone a day and 25 mg of methatrexate once a week for imflammation in my arteries.
is the essiac tea safe for me to take?