To make Essiac Tea, these four herbs are commonly used.
Often other herbs and ingredients are added.
SHEEP SORREL (Rumex acetosella)
Common names are field sorrel, red top sorrel, sour grass and dog eared sorrel. It is a hardy perennial, and
is much smaller than either French or Garden Sorrel. Is often tinged a deep red hue especially towards the
end of the summer. It grows to about a foot high. It has narrow sharp pointed leaves and spikes of green
flowers turning to red. Flowers in late spring.
Sheep sorrel grows wild in most parts of the world except the tropics. Abundant in Canada and Britain, it is
considered a common weed in the U.S. and thrives with little moisture in acidic soils. Do not buy or harvest
more than a year's supply of Sheep Sorrel, as it loses it potency when stored longer. Fresh, dry Sheep Sorrel
will be green in color and have an aroma of sweet grass. To grow your own Sheep sorrel, there are seed
sources on the internet and the seeds are inexpensive (200 seeds cost $3.00 or less).
Sheep Sorrel is high in vitamins A, B complex, C, D, K and E and the minerals include significant levels of
calcium, iron, silicon, magnesium, sulphur, zinc, manganese, iodine and copper. Sheep Sorrel also contains
beta carotene and chlorophyll; citric, malic, oxalic, tannic and tartaric acids and it is rich in potassium oxalate.
Because of the oxalic acid it contains, Sheep Sorrel is sometimes not recommended for people who have a
history of kidney stones. For more information, see discussion and opinions about this.
Young Sheep Sorrel leaves were popular as a cooking dressing and as an addition to salads in France
several hundred years ago. Indians also use Sheep Sorrel leaves as a tasty seasoning for meat dishes and
also baked it into their breads. In early days it was of use against scurvy.
Sorrel plants have been a folk remedy for cancer for centuries both in Europe and Asia, more recently in
North America. Alleged to break down tumors and alleviate some chronic conditions and degenerative
diseases, it is an astringent and diuretic. It has been anecdotally reported to be a fever reducer, aid
digestion, relieve stomach hemorrhage and jaundice. There are no scientific studies that prove Sheep Sorrel
does anything of benefit for any health condition.
BURDOCK ROOT (Arctium lappa)
The burdock is a member of the thistle family and is a common pasture weed throughout North America that
prefers damp soils. It grows to more than 3 feet tall and is also called Personata, Happy Major, Lappa, Fox's
Clote, Thorny Burr, Beggar's Buttons, Cockle Buttons and Philanthropium.
The roots, young stems and seeds of the Burdock plant are edible. Young stalks are boiled to be eaten like
asparagus, raw stems and young leaves are eaten in salads. Parts of the Burdock plant are eaten in China,
Hawaii and among the Native American cultures of this continent.
It is the root of the Burdock plant that is harvested for folk medicinal use. The roots are about an inch wide
but up to three feet long. The roots should be harvested in the fall of the first year or the spring of the
second. Later during the second year the plant produces burrs such as shown in the picture above.
Burdock root contains vitamins B complex and E. Trace minerals are potassium, phosphorous, chromium,
cobalt, iron, magnesium, silicon, zinc and sodium. It provides insulin, a helpful sugar for diabetics and
hypoglycemics because it does not elicit rapid insulin production.
Buy Burdock root only from a reliable supplier. In one documented case, belladonna was substituted for
burdock, causing atropine poisoning (burdock does not contain atropine). Fresh burdock root has a distinct
aroma.
Both European and Chinese herbalists have long considered burdock root's "lightly warming, moistening
effect" an excellent tonic for the lungs and liver. It reportedly stimulates toxic waste through the skin and
urine, improving digestion. The Chinese use Burdock Root as an aphrodisiac, tonic and rejuvenator. Some
say it is good against arthritis and rheumatism.
The anecdotal beneficial effects of this herb includes increasing circulation to the skin, helping to detoxify the
epidermal tissues. It has been used in treating psoriasis and acne, among other skin conditions. Burdock root
has been reported to destroy bacteria and fungus cultures.
Anti-tumor properties have also been reported. Burdock is one of the finest blood purifiers in the herbal
system. It is classified as an alterative, diuretic and diaphoretic. It helps the kidneys to filter out impurities
from the blood very quickly. It clears congestion in respiratory, lymphatic, urinary and circulatory systems.
SLIPPERY ELM (Ulmus fulva)
This elm tree is part of the Ulmaceae family; other members include nettles. It is a stately tree that reaches
60 feet. Its trunk bark is brown, but its branch bark is whitish. Its leaves are broad, rough, hairy on both sides,
toothed, and the leaf buds are covered with a dense yellow wool. The flowers are stalkless. This tree is also
known as red elm, moose elm, or Indian elm. It is a favorite shade and ornamental tree. It is found throughout
Canada and the U.S.
The pinkish white inner bark of the tree contains the tree's healing properties. Slippery elm bark can be
purchased in cut or powdered form from an herb supply house. Don't harvesting it yourself because Slippery
Elm is close to becoming an endangered tree species.
Slippery elm bark contains, as its primary ingredient, a mucilage, as well as quantities of gallic acid, phenols,
starches, sugars, vitamins A, B complex, C, K and P. It contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium, and
sodium, as well as lesser amounts of chromium and selenium, and trace amounts of iron, phosphorous,
silicon and zinc. The powder should be light beige.
According to herbalists, the powdered bark can be used as a nutritious drink for those with inflammatory
bowel disease, or for bronchitis. It is healing and soothing to mucous membranes. Slippery elm's calcium
content makes it a good calmative medicine for those with emotional or nervous problems. As a tonic it is
known for its ability to soothe and strengthen the organs, tissues and mucous membranes, especially the
lungs and stomach.
According to some herbalists, an antibiotic and anti-microbial effect has also been reported along with an
ability to remove toxins from the body; therefore, it promotes faster healing of cuts, burns, ulcers and
wounds. It is alleged to revitalize the entire body.
Allergic reactions are possible. Otherwise, the medical literature contains no reports of slippery elm causing
harm. Again, use only reliable sources, it would be best to purchase this herb because the novice could kill a
tree by stripping off bark carelessly. Note: sometimes the powdered commercial product is adulterated with
flour or other starchy substances which create a gravy-like decoction, so beware.
TURKEY RHUBARB (Rheum palmatum)
Rhubarb is commonly used for pies, jams and as stewed rhubarb. Its red, bittersweet stems are found in
supermarket produce shelves each spring and many people have it in their backyards. The Turkey Rhubarb
is a member of the rhubarb family with roots which have a particularly strong and desirable potency.
The leaves of the Turkey Rhubarb are somewhat rough. The root is thick, of an oval shape, sending off long,
tapering branches. Externally it is brown, internally a deep yellow color. It has a long thick root, brownish on
the outside and full of reddish veins inside, similar to Garden Rhubarb. It flowers early to midsummer. It is
also known as East Indian Rhubarb or China Rhubarb and has been used in China for more than 2,000
years.
Turkey Rhubarb must be purchased because its natural habitat is in China and Tibet. Rene Caisse preferred
this variety to the common rhubarb because its medicinal properties were stronger and the taste less bitter.
The Turkey Rhubarb root contains vitamin A, many of the B complex, C, and P; calcium, chlorine, copper,
iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, silicon, sodium, sulfur, and zinc.
The rhubarb root exerts a gentle laxative action by stimulating the secretion of bile into the intestines. It also
stimulates the gall duct to expel toxic waste matter, thus purging the body of waste bile and food. As a result,
it is alleged that the liver is cleansed and chronic liver problems are relieved. In small doses, the powdered
root is an astringent and checks diarrhea, but in larger doses it irritates the colon causing the bowels to
evacuate (diarrhea).
If diarrhea or abdominal discomfort develops, contact a qualified health practitioner. It may be necessary to
either lower the dosage until the body adjusts to it, or stop taking it.
Essiac Tea is a blend of herbs that is believed by many to have cancer-treating properties. Some
people take essiac tea on occasion for general health purposes, detoxification, or for healing of
various ailments other than cancer. Some of these other ailments include AIDS, asthma, chronic
fatigue syndrome, diabetes, immune system disorders, liver problems, Lyme disease and lupus
erythematosus.
It was discovered by a Canadian nurse, Rene Caisse, who named the blend by spelling her last
name backwards. The original formula is believed to have its roots in native Canadian Ojibwa
medicine and contains sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), burdock root (Arctium lappa), slippery elm
inner bark (Ulmus rubra, formerly known as Ulmus fulva) and Indian or Turkish rhubarb root
(Rheum palmatum).
In the 1970s, Caisse provided the formula to Resperin Corporation Ltd., with the understanding that
Resperin would coordinate a scientific trial in humans. Although a study was initiated, it was
stopped early amidst questions of improper preparation of the formula and inadequate study
design. This research was never completed.
Resperin Corporation Ltd., which owned the Essiac name, formally went out of business after
transferring rights to the Essiac name and selling the secret formula to Essiac Products Ltd., which
currently distributes products through Essiac International.
| Theresa and Ditoh's Adventures! T.A.D.A ! |
| ESSIAC TEA |
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