Essiac Tea: Wonder Herb or Placebo?

Let me start off by saying that I believe in homeopathic and herbal medicine. However, I can't help but wonder when a single herb or potion supposedly heals whatever ails you.

Essiac tea falls into that category. It should be noted that essiac tea is not comprised of a single herb, but rather of the following four herbs: burdock root, slipper elm inner bark, sheep sorrel, and Indian rhubarb root.

The name, "Essiac" comes from Rene Caisse (essiac spelled backwards). Caisse was the original advocate for essiac tea, a Native American concoction.

The fact that it is comprised of four herbs rather than a single herb increases, at least in my view, the possibility that it can do the following:

Essiac tea is purported to pretty much eliminate toxins from the body. It does it in the following ways:

1. It detoxifies the liver by turning fatty toxins into water-soluble form so that they can be eliminated from the body.
2. It eliminates the accumulation of toxins in fat, in the lymphatic system, from the bone marrow, alimentary canals and from the bladder.
3. Essiac tea is believed to absorb toxins in the bowel and then eliminates them.
4. It keeps toxins from getting into the brain.
5. It also combats metal poisoning by counteracting the impact of lead, mercury and aluminum poisoning. Additionally, essiac tea is believed to reduce or eliminate heavy metal deposits in the joints, which reduces inflammation and stiffness.

Essiac Tea's Impact onJoints, Ligaments and Bones

It is believed that essiac tea strengthens joints, ligaments, and bones and also makes them more flexible so they are less likely to be stressed and injured.

The Impact of Essiac Tea on Muscles, Organs and Tissues

Concerned about your liver? Drink Essiac tea! Why? Because the fatty deposits in the liver can be prevented when you consume essiac tea. (The same is believed to be true for artery walls, the heart, and kidneys as well.)

Essiac tea is also believed to help the liver produce lecithin, an important component in the formation of the myelin sheath.

It is also said to increase the effectiveness of insulin thereby improving the function of the spleen and pancreas.

Essiac Tea Purifies the Blood

Essiac tea not only purifies the blood, it also increases the production of red blood cells and keeps them from rupturing.

The Effect of Essiac Tea on Potassium, Calcium and Sodium

Essiac tea balances out potassium and sodium in the body so that fluids both inside and outside of each cell are regulated. This provides nourishment for the cells and also makes sure the cells are cleaned properly. It also helps calcium and potassium to be solvent in urine and reduces the risk of kidney and gall bladder stones.

Essiac Tea is Believed to Cure Cancer

Renee Caisse first used essiac tea to treat cancer in 1922. She used the tea to treat others including her own aunt and mother. All of them lived years after their cancer diagnosis.

FDA Approval

Essiac has not been FDA tested or approved for the treatment of any illness or disease.

Does Essiac Tea Work?

Unfortunately, there hasn't been adequate testing to determine whether or not essiac tea works. Because of that, I'd suggest using traditional medicine and highly regarded healthy lifestyle practices along with the consumption of essiac tea.

Sources:

http://www.discount-essiac-tea.com/essiac-tea-benefits.html

http://www.essiacinfo.org/essiac.html

http://www.healthfreedom.info/Cancer%20Essiac.htm