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Complementary and Alternative Therapies For Cancer Patients Essiac This treatment modality is used in place of conventional therapies to treat cancer. Seek advice from a qualified physician before replacing standard cancer therapy with Essiac therapy. What does Essiac therapy involve? Essiac, an herbal formula, was first provided to cancer patients in 1922 by Renée Caisse, (Essiac is Caisse spelled backwards) a Canadian nurse. Caisse claimed to have learned of this tonic from a woman who had recovered from breast cancer after receiving a remedy from an Ojibwa medicine man. Essiac is comprised of four herbs: Turkish Rhubarb, Slippery Elm bark, Sheep Sorrel and Burdock root. During her life, Caisse would never release the original formula and concentrations, so it is unknown if the Essiac sold today in health-food stores is the original formula. How is Essiac thought to treat cancer? Caisse believed that the original Essiac formula worked by attacking the tumor directly, first hardening it, then softening it, causing it to break up and be eliminated by the body. Another view is that the Essiac herbs have a strengthening and cleansing function, supporting the body in resisting cancer. What has been proven about the benefit of Essiac? The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center conducted an extensive human studies literature review of Essiac and found four studies applicable to cancer. However, there have been no clinical trials concerning the use of Essiac for the treatment of cancer in people. Most of the information available is based on the testimonials of patients who have used Essiac as a treatment. Attempts to document the effectiveness of Essiac in the U.S. and Canada have not yielded any conclusive information. What is the risk or harm of Essiac treatment? This herbal formula may act like a laxative. Other side effects include nausea, headache, vomiting and increased urination. How much does Essiac treatment cost? The FDA has not yet approved Essiac as a treatment for cancer. Therefore, Essiac must be purchased at health food stores and via mail-order under various names including Flor-Essence, Vitalitea, Tea of Life and Herbal Essence. Annual cost per patient for one to four daily ounces is between $440 and $2,060. Patients are not currently reimbursed for Essiac purchases. For additional information: The University of
Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
