Cancer-Fighting Foods - Essiac

Essiac or Essiac Tea is a blend of herbs used to make a tea that is believed by some to have cancer-treating properties. It is available in stores and although not as powerful as other organic treatments such as graviola, combining Essiac simultaneously with other forms of cancer treatment poses no known complications; may very well be a good practice.

Originally used by Native American tribal medicine men, the recipe was rediscovered by a Canadian nurse, Rene Caisse, R.N. in 1922, as she was attending to a woman who had previously cured her breast cancer with an herbal remedy given to her by a North American Indian shaman in the 1890's. Known as "Nurse Caisse" or "Miss Caisse", Rene named her version of the recipe; her last name spelled backwards. She continued to help people suffering with cancer up until she died in 1978.

USDA Organic Essiac

In 1959, Caisse was working with Fawcett Publishing editor, Ralph Daigh and a major Boston hospital to conduct major testing on Essiac's effectiveness. These efforts led to her involvement with John F. Kennedy's personal physician, Dr. Charles A. Brusch, MD, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1989, Dr. Brusch revealed that he had cured his own cancer using Essiac daily since his own cancer was discovered in 1984. Dr. Brusch continued Caisse's Essiac work after her death. The origin of the Essiac formula is believed to have its roots in native Canadian Ojibwa (Midewiwin) medicine. The basic Essiac formula contains greater burdock root (Arctium lappa), slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus rubra, formerly known as Ulmus fulva), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and Indian or Turkish rhubarb root (Rheum officinale).

With respect to the use of Essiac in treating cancer, the U.S. National Institutes of Health's Medline states that as of early 2008: "Currently, there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against the use of this herbal mixture as a therapy for any type of cancer. Different brands may contain variable ingredients, and the comparative effectiveness of these formulas is not known. None of the individual herbs used in Essiac has been tested in rigorous human cancer trials (rhubarb has shown some anti-tumor properties in animal experiments; slippery elm inner bark has not; sheep sorrel and burdock have been used traditionally in cancer remedies). Numerous individual patient testimonials and reports from manufacturers are available on the Internet, although these cannot be considered scientifically viable as evidence. Individuals with cancer are advised not to delay treatment with more proven therapies."