vitamins, minerals and supplements from  A to Zinc. With so many serious side-effects being reported with designer pharmaceuticals many people are looking elsewhere for relief of their ailments.

On hearing the story of how a large mass was reduced in a cancer patient after drinking an herbal tea concoction recommended by the Ojibwa Indians of Northern Canada,  Rene Caisse, a nurse from Ontario, was curious to discover the actual ingredients.  The recipe was passed  on to nurse

Rene. It consisted of  burdock root, slippery elm bark, sheep sorrel herb, and Turkish rhubarb root. Rene first tried the tea on her aunt who was also suffering from cancer. The results were so successful that medical doctors began giving written orders for Rene to treat terminally ill patients that were in the last stages of the illness and for which conventional medicine could not help.

Many of the patients treated by the tea which was later named " Essiac," (Caisse spelled backwards)  regained their health, so news quickly spread. In her meager clinic she treated each and every person for free,  often 100 people a day.  The Canadian government received scores of letters from the public as well as a signed letter of petition from many doctors, asking that this amazing formula be recognized as a legitimate treatment, but despite the support the government refused. 

Rene Caisse knew that her formula was helping hundreds of cancer patients but she was determined not to let it get into the hands of greedy businessmen looking to turn a fast buck. For many years Caisse fought with the Canadian government and Medical Association who were determined to dismiss the use of Essiac tea as a cure for cancer. Before her death in 1978  nurse Caisse sold the formula to her partner, Resperin Co and in 1992 was sold to  Elaine Alexander who collaborated with Flora Company who still produce it under the name of "Flor-Essence." Four more organic herbs had been added to the original ingredients to improve the formula, they were; watercress, blessed thistle herb, kelp

and red clover blossom.

Today there are several brands of Essiac Tea, some adding still more herbs to improve the formula. Though Caisse's original formula is said to be the Flor-Esscence brand,  you won't find the word 'Essiac' on the label.  The tea, which can be purchased in most good health food stores in the form of a ready made liquid formula or packeted dried herbs, costs around $30. The fresh herbs can also be individually obtained from an herbalist. As it is said to have no harmful side effects, it is up to the consumer to decide whether or not it will work for them.  Essiac tea is known as a good detoxification formula for the removal of toxins in the blood and to boost the immune system.  Since the 1930's its use has been not only to treat cancer but also arthritis, circulatory problems, diabetes, fibroids,  menopausal symptoms, Parkinson's disease, prostate and urinary problems as well as many other illnesses. Most recently it has been used for the treatment of AIDs and Alzheimers disease.

Though the ready mixed liquid form is easier and more pleasant to taste, the dried herbs are much more cost effective and are said to be more beneficial. All that is needed to make the tea which comes in four separate pouches each making 1 quart of the liquid is;  a stock pot, a few mason jars, a large jug, tea strainer and a gallon of purified water. After bringing the herbs mixture to a boil, it must simmer for 10-12 minutes, then removed from the burner and let stand for at least 12 hours. After the tea has stood, remove the lid and stir to blend all the herbs that are stuck to the side of the pot and bring to a rapid boil once again, stir some

more and let cool. The tea can then be strained into sterilized mason jars which must be kept in the refrigerator.

Two ounces of Essiac formula diluted with an equal or double amount of water twice a day is the recommended therapeutic dose and should be taken daily for  a period of about nine months.

Having tried Essiac tea myself and on members of my family, it was found to have a pleasant taste, similar to that of green tea. The benefits so far seem to have been quite impressive, so much so that it is "personally" recommended to friends should they have any of the above or similar ailments. Having heard positive comments from other people's experiences with Essiac tea has inspired me to write this report. I believed that the true benefits of the healing process do not come from Essiac alone, but  are also a combination of faith and a positive attitude.

Some years ago, an actor from a British comedy series about a west country farmer, coined a popular phrase "The answer lies in the soil."  God has given us an abundance of plants and shrubs for a reason.  If one of the reasons is for healing, then maybe the answer really does lie in the soil.

A good source to learn more about Essiac Tea is to read "The Essiac Report" by Richard Thomas. Or visit www.essiacinfo.org or just surf the Internet.
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