Essiac Tea (aka Ojibwa Tea)

Essiac (és ē ak) is a popular alternative treatment used for a variety of purposes worldwide. It is an herbal formula comprised of four herbs, first used by the Ojibwas, and an Ojibway medicine man gave Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, the formula in 1892, as the story goes. After experiencing tremendous results for her loved ones suffering from cancer, she volunteered her time and efforts to treat countless other cancer patients, seemingly helping them restore health with her herbal treatment and dubbed it Essiac (Caisse spelled backward).

The essiac herbs are cut or powdered, mixed in specific quantities, then made into a tea and ingested daily. Essiac is typically used by those suffering from cancer, diabetes, immune problems, respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and other conditions.

Each of the herbs in the formula is reported to have cleansing and detoxifying properties in the body. The herbs are also supportive of the body's immune system, and each herb is healing in its own right, but they may have a synergistic effect on cancerous tumors when taken together in the proper ratios.

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS?

Organic Burdock Root (Arctium latta) is a mild diuretic. It increases the production of both urine and sweat, potentially making it useful in treating swelling and fever. Burdock root might play a role in preventing liver damage caused by alcohol, chemicals, or medications. The exact reason for this protective effect is not known, but it is thought to involve opposition of a chemical process called oxidation, which occurs in the body as a natural function of metabolism. Although oxidation is a natural process, that doesn't mean it isn't harmful to the body! One result of oxidation is the release of oxygen free radicals, which are chemicals that may suppress immune function. Antioxidants such as burdock may protect body cells from damage caused by oxidation.

Organic Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is a rich source of oxalic acid, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, phosphorous, beta carotene, and vitamin C. This essiac tea ingredient is a mild diuretic, mild antiseptic, and a mild laxative.

Organic Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus rubra) has been used as a poultice for cuts and bruises, and also for aching joints due to gout or other causes. Besides being an essiac tea ingredient, this herb is also used to alleviate sore throats. Slippery elm bark is found in many lozenges that claim to soothe throat irritation. Since a sore throat and a cough are often linked, slippery elm bark has also been used in cough remedies. It also regulates the elimination process of digestion, easing both constipation and diarrhea.

Organic Turkish Rhubarb Root (Rheum officinale) is a detoxifying herb and is world-famous for its healing properties. Rhubarb root purges the body of bile, parasites, and stagnating food in the gut by stimulating the gall duct to expel toxic waste matter. It has been shown to alleviate chronic liver problems by cleansing the liver. Rhubarb root improves digestion and helps regulate the appetite. It has also been shown to help heal ulcers, alleviate disorders of the spleen and colon, relieve constipation, and help heal hemorrhoids and bleeding in the upper digestive tract.

HOW DO I USE ESSIAC TEA?

You will need a stainless steel, enamel or glass pot with a lid; a glass measuring cup or spoons; canning jars, lids and rings or some other air tight storage container that can be sanitized; a fine strainer (like a coffee strainer) or cheesecloth; and a funnel.

Most people will make a gallon at a time using 2 oz of herb, but if you don’t drink it quickly enough, the tea can spoil even when refrigerated, so we recommend making it in 1-quart to half-gallon amounts first.  Of course, you will increase its shelf life by sterilizing all utensils before beginning the process.

The water to herb ratios are as follows:

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Add herbs and boil hard for 10 minutes.
3. Scrape down the sides of the pot and allow the tea to sit, covered, in a warm place for about 12 hours.
4. Reheat the tea in the covered pot until steaming hot, but do not boil it again.
5. Allow the tea to sit covered and undisturbed for several minutes so that the herbs will settle to the bottom of the pot.
6. Meanwhile preheat your storage containers so they do not crack from adding hot liquid to them.
7. Pour tea with herbs into storage containers or strain the tea first.  NOTE: The tea will become stronger if the herbs are permitted to stay in the tea until you get to the bottom of the container, then strain the last portion.  However, the tea will spoil faster if the herbs remain – that’s the trade-off, and another reason to make smaller quantities at a time.
8. Allow containers to cool, then refrigerate (never freeze the tea).

TEA PREPARATION

To serve the tea, pour 1/4 cup of strained [reduced] tea into a mug and add hot water according to your taste (1/4 to 1/2 cup). Do NOT microwave the tea. Sip the tea slowly, on an empty stomach and allow at least 20 minutes before consuming anything else.

For preventative purposes, one or two servings daily is suggested. During an anti-cancer treatment (or during times of physical duress), three to four servings daily is suggested. Drink plenty of water throughout the rest of the day as the tea is highly detoxifying. Discard tea if it tastes sour or when white mold appears floating on the surface. Essiac tea and herbs are light and heat sensitive, so it is important to store in a cool, dark place, but never freeze the tea.

PET ALTERNATIVE

Administer the reduced tea via syringe throughout the day, at least three times daily, using the following table as a ratio guideline:

TOPICAL APPLICATIONS

For lesions and visible swellings, apply the reduced tea externally once or twice daily in addition to taking the oral dose. Poultices can be made by putting the strained-off residual herbs onto sterilized dressings and applying to wounds that will not heal. (To increase effectiveness and stave off spoilage, add several drops of tea tree oil to the herbs and store in the refrigerator.)

No herbal formula is a substitute for qualified medical care. If a condition requires medical attention, promptly seek a health care practitioner.

HOW LONG UNTIL I SEE RESULTS?

Results will vary by individual and may depend on dosage. Some research has suggested that more immediate results are achieved when the tea is administered both orally and rectally (not rectally more than once per week), but that method has not been tested by any of our staff, and as such is not recommended at this time (same for essiac douching).

CAN I USE ESSIAC TEA ALONG WITH MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS?

Yes, you can. No adverse interactions have been noted between the Essiac Tea and other prescription medications.

However, as with any medicine, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before making any changes or additions to your medical program, especially if you are already using prescription medicines.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HELP THE PROCESS?

It is most important to boost your immune system and get plenty of rest to allow the body to fight infection naturally. With that in mind, the following products are recommended to complement your Essiac Tea therapy:

• ImmunityPlus - for full immune system support in adults
• KiddieBoost - natural formula for child immune system health
• Detox Drops - herbal formula for body cleansing and detoxification
• PetAlive Immunity & Liver Support - herbal tonic to support healthy immune system and liver functioning
• PetAlive DetoxPlus - support the natural cleansing and purifying processes of the body
• PetAlive C-Caps - supportive and preventative formula for pets with cancer
• Bloodroot Tincture - an herbal supplement for cancerous, fungal and bacterial treatments

HOW LONG WILL ONE 8 OZ. ORDER OF DRY HERB LAST?

One order of Essiac Tea will last for 15-60 days, depending on the size and frequency of dose.

Sage advice: Read this case study of how we used Essiac tea in conjuction with the Bloodroot Tincture.

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