The essiac tea herbs and what they do...

The original essiac tea herbs in the formula consist of Burdock root, Slippery Elm bark, Wild Sheep Sorrel, and Turkish Rhubarb.

Burdock (Arctium lappa): Cleansing, strengthening. This root is a staple of Japanese and nutritive macrobiotic diets; anti-mutagen. Often used as a mild diuretic and for treating swelling and fever. May assist with liver damage caused by alcohol, chemicals or medications. Burdock root is an antioxidant. Burdock also played an important role in Native American herbal medicine, and American herbalists have used the roots and seeds of this plant for over two centuries. There is belief that burdock may be helpful for kidney stones. Topical preparations of burdock are also used for skin problems (such as eczema) and wounds.

Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus fulva): Feeds, soothes, strengthens mucous membranes; lubricates bones & joints; dissolves excess mucous deposited in organs, tissue, lymph glands, nerve channels; eases wastes through alimentary canal. Slippery/slimy when chewed, and therefore is widely used to soothe sore throats and in many cough remedies and lozenges. Can help relieve constipation and diarrhea by regulating the digestive tract. The Cherokee and other Native Americans used Slippery elm for coughs, skin conditions, and as an eye wash.

Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella): Relieves inflammation; stimulates defenses; cleansing, strengthening; breaks down tissue masses and other deposits that are foreign to the body. Contains high levels of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, calcium, oxalic acid, beta carotene, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, copper, and iron. Can be used as a mild laxative, diuretic, and/or antiseptic. Sheep sorrel is one of the most important essiac tea herbs.

Turkish Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum): 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 creates 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. Reportedly this results in the liver being cleansed and chronic liver problems relieved. In small doses, the powdered root is an astringent and helps diarrhea. It stimulates the stomach and associated organs; known cathartic. Also contains rhein, an anthraquinone. Turkish rhubarb is one of the most-discussed essiac tea herbs.

The following essiac tea herbs were added to the original formula by Rene Caisse and Dr. Brusch after years of tweaking and experimentation, and are present in our eight-herb formula:

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale): Oral cleanser, toner, and strengthener of mucous membranes. A good source of Vitamin C. Has a bitter taste believed to stimulate appetite and improve digestion (this is where the “unique” taste of the essiac tea herbs comes from.)

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus): Blessed thistle has been observed to have antimicrobial effects in lab studies. Stimulates and cleanses digestive system. Historically, blessed thistle has been recommended as a treatment for upset stomach, indigestion, and gas. A poultice of blessed thistle can be used to soothe injured skin.

Blessed thistle is related to, but not the same herb as, Milk Thistle.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): Nutritious; cleanses and soothes lungs and air passages; stimulates digestive organs; soothes inflamed joints. A review of nearly 1,000 women suggests that red clover may interfere with an enzyme known to promote the progression of endometrial cancer. Red clover may also block enzymes thought to contribute to prostate cancer in men. Red clover is often used for respiratory ailments, such as whooping cough. Externally, it may be used for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Contains isoflavones.

Kelp (Laminaria digitata): the main constituents of kelp include phenolic compounds (which have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-clotting properties), mucopolysaccharides (joint-lubricating), and algin (a stabilizer). Kelp also contains protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, iodine, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Kelp is the number one health supplement used in Japan.

Mixed all together in the proper proportions, these eight essiac tea herbs form the best and most effective formula known today.