Essiac Benefits - All You Need to Know

Essiac tea is an herbal tea that has gained widespread popularity among natural health enthusiasts in recent years. People in favor of the herbal tea, claim that it can kill cancer cells, stimulate immunity, and aid detoxification. However, others consider it questionable as a cancer therapy, claiming that the evidence noted is insufficient. This video looks at the ingredients, benefits, and potential side effects of Essiac tea. Essiac is a popular herbal blend that is often used as a tea. It is touted for its reported anticancer properties. In the 1920s, Canadian nurse Rene Caisse promoted Essiac tea as a natural cancer treatment, claiming that it was given to her by a patient who originally received it from an Ontario Ojibwa medicine man. Though the tea is still said to be a Native American natural remedy, evidence to back up this claim is noted. Essiac tea is a blend of different herbs, including:

burdock root

slippery elm

sheep sorrel

Indian rhubarb

In addition to its reported anticancer properties, Essiac tea is also believed to enhance detoxification, boost immune function, and reduce inflammation. The tea is usually sold in powder form, but capsule and tea bag varieties are also available. Herbalists recommend drinking 1 to 12 ounces (30 to 360 mL) daily for best results. Studies show that Essiac tea is rich in antioxidants and may offer anti-inflammatory properties. Its four main ingredients have all been associated with various health-promoting properties. These primary ingredients are:

Burdock root: This root contains compounds shown to promote blood circulation, improve skin texture, and stabilize blood sugar.

Slippery elm: Revered for its medicinal properties, slippery elm is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants and may aid in treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Sheep sorrel: sheep sorrel has been shown to have potent antiviral properties according to studies.

Indian rhubarb. One recent study found that Indian rhubarb is high in antioxidants and may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Research on the anticancer effects of Essiac reported conflicting results. For example, one test-tube study showed that essiac had antioxidant properties and prevented damage to cells and DNA, which could potentially help protect against cancer. Another study showed that Essiac blocked the growth of breast and leukemia cancer cells when administered in high concentrations, though more research may be needed. There is also some anecdotal evidence that certain types of cancer have responded well to Essiac— including one case report of a man who went into remission from prostate cancer and attributed it to essiac.