Essiac Tea

Other common name(s): Essiac, Flor Essence, Tea of Life, Herbal Essence, Vitalitea

Scientific/medical name(s): none

Description

Essiac is a mixture of herbs that are combined to make a tea. The original formula included burdock root (Arctium lappa L.), slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus fulva Michx.), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.), and Indian rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum L.). Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R.Br.), blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and kelp (Laminaria digitata [Hudson] Lamx.) were added to later recipes for a product sold as Flor Essence.

Overview

There have been no published clinical trials in conventional medical journals showing the effectiveness of Essiac in the treatment of cancer. Some of the specific herbs contained in the mixture have shown some anti-cancer effects in laboratory experiments. However, most laboratory studies of Essiac have found no effectiveness against cancer cells, and one reported that it increases growth of breast cancer cells. Available scientific evidence does not support its use for the treatment of cancer in humans.

How is it promoted for use?

Promoters claim Essiac strengthens the immune system, improves well-being, relieves pain, increases appetite, reduces tumor size, and extends survival. Some also claim that it cleanses the blood, promotes cell repair, restores energy levels, and detoxifies the body. The herbs contained in Essiac are claimed to relieve inflammation, lubricate bones and joints, stimulate the stomach, and eliminate excess mucous in organs, tissues, lymph glands, and nerve channels.

It was originally claimed Essiac worked by changing tumors into normal tissue. Proponents claimed a tumor would become larger and harder after a few doses of Essiac, then would soften, shrink, and be discharged by the body.

Essiac and Flor Essence are also promoted to treat AIDS and a variety of digestive system problems.

What does it involve?

Essiac is available in dry and liquid formulas, and methods of preparation and dosage vary by manufacturer. Some recommend spring or non-fluoridated water, and most require refrigeration after brewing. A typical dose is 1 ounce taken 1 to 3 times per day. Practitioners advise that Essiac tea should be taken on an empty stomach, 2 hours before or after meals, for a period of at least 1 to 2 years. The manufacturer of Flor Essence recommends 1 to 12 ounces of tea daily.

Essiac and Flor Essence are available through mail order and can also be purchased,in the United States in health food stores as a dietary supplement and as a health tonic in Canada.

What is the history behind it?

In 1922, a public health nurse named Rene Caisse from Ontario, Canada learned about Essiac from a patient. The patient claimed to have recovered from breast cancer by taking an Indian herbal tea developed by an Ojibwa medicine man. She obtained the recipe and reportedly treated her aunt's stomach cancer with the tea. In 1924, Caisse opened a clinic and began to offer cancer patients the herbal mixture, which she named Essiac (her last name spelled backward). She treated thousands of patients using her secret formula as a tea and as an injection. Canadian medical authorities investigated the clinic in 1938 and concluded that there was little evidence for the effectiveness of Essiac. Caisse gave her 4-herb formula to a manufacturer in Toronto in 1977, a year before her death, with the intent of having it tested and sold for a reasonable cost.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center conducted animal testing of Essiac in 1959 and the mid-1970s but no anti-tumor effects were verified. In 1983, Canadian federal health officials requested that Essiac be tested by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), which found no evidence of anti-cancer activity in animal studies. Canadian health officials reviewed 86 case studies and concluded that there was no evidence that Essiac slowed the progression of cancer. They noted that there were few serious side effects, however, and that people may have benefited psychologically from the treatment.

What is the evidence?

Although there have been many testimonials, there have been no clinical trials testing the effectiveness of Essiac or Flor Essence. Reviews of medical records of people who have been treated with Essiac do not support claims that this product helps people with cancer live longer or that it relieves their symptoms.

Animal studies conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the NCI from the 1950s through the 1980s concluded that Essiac was not effective. The majority of subsequent studies have confirmed these findings. A recent laboratory study found that Essiac and Flor Essence actually increased growth of breast cancer cells. Flor Essence has not been tested as a cancer treatment in humans.

Some components of Essiac and Flor Essence have been tested individually in laboratory and animal studies. Some of these studies identified substances with anti-tumor or anti-inflammatory properties. However, these results cannot be interpreted as evidence of effectiveness in humans. To the contrary, the available scientific information indicates that these products are not helpful.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health when proper manufacturing techniques are used.

Most such supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.

Serious side effects are uncommon. Essiac may cause headache, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, low blood sugar, liver damage, and kidney damage. Rarely, serious allergic reactions have been reported.

In addition, the potential interactions between Essiac and other drugs and herbs should be considered. Some of these combinations may be dangerous. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you are taking. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Additional resources

More information from your American Cancer Society

The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on our Web site (www.cancer.org) or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

Guidelines for Using Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Dietary Supplements: How to Know What Is Safe

The ACS Operational Statement on Complementary and Alternative Methods of Cancer Management

Complementary and Alternative Methods for Cancer Management

Placebo Effect

Learning About New Ways to Treat Cancer

Learning About New Ways to Prevent Cancer

References

Eberding A, Madera C, Xie S, Wood CA, Brown PN, Guns ES. Evaluation of the antiproliferative effects of Essiac on in vitro and in vivo models of prostate cancer compared to paclitaxel. Nutr Cancer. 2007;58:188-196.

Essiac. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Web site. www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69215.cfm. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Essiac/flor-essence (PDQ®). National Cancer Institute Web site. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/essiac/healthprofessional/allpages. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Herbal/plant therapies: essiac detailed scientific review. Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Web site. www.mdanderson.org/departments/CIMER/display.cfm?id=03F2CD11-EE0F-11D4-810200508B603A14&method=displayFull. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Kulp KS, Montgomery JL, Nelson DO, Cutter B, Latham ER, Shattuck DL, Klotz DM, Bennett LM. Essiac and Flor-Essence herbal tonics stimulate the in vitro growth of human breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2006;98:249-259. Epub 2006 Mar 16.

Seely D, Kennedy DA, Myers SP, Cheras PA, Lin D, Li R, Cattley T, Brent PA, Mills E, Leonard BJ. In vitro analysis of the herbal compound Essiac. Anticancer Res. 2007;27:3875-3882.

Zick SM, Sen A, Feng Y, Green J, Olatunde S, Boon H. Trial of Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer (TEA-BC). J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12:971-980.

Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.