Essiac facts for kids

Essiac is a special herbal tea that some people say can help treat cancer and other sicknesses. However, there is no real proof that it helps your health. In fact, many studies have shown that Essiac does not fight cancer cells. Some tests even showed that it made cancer grow faster.

One type of Essiac, called "Flor Essence," has even been shown to be harmful. Lab tests proved that it made breast cancer cells grow more quickly. This means it's important to be careful about what you use for your health.

What is Essiac?

Essiac is a tea made from a mix of different plants. The most common plants used are burdock root, turkey rhubarb root, sheep sorrel, and slippery elm.

A Canadian nurse named Rene Caisse created the Essiac formula. She promoted it as a cancer treatment from the 1920s to the 1970s. Caisse often changed her story about where the formula came from. Sometimes she said an Ontario Ojibwa patient taught her. Other times, she said an unnamed "medicine man" shared the secret.

However, there is no proof that either of these stories is true. There is also no evidence that Essiac is a traditional Native American or First Nations remedy. In fact, only one of the plants in the original recipe, slippery elm, is from North America. The other herbs are not native to this continent. Rene Caisse liked to keep the origins of her tea a secret. The name "Essiac" is actually her last name, Caisse, spelled backwards!

Today, Essiac is often sold with tools to make the tea. Sometimes, it is advertised with false claims that science has proven it works.

Why Essiac is Not Approved

In 1977, Rene Caisse sold her Essiac formula to a company called Respirin Corporation. This company tried to sell Essiac as a medicine. But they could not show that Essiac helped fight cancer.

Many lab tests were done on Essiac. These tests showed that Essiac did not slow down tumor growth. In large amounts, it even harmed test animals. Some studies found that Essiac actually made cancer grow faster. Because of these results, the governments in the U.S. and Canada did not approve Essiac as a medical treatment.

Instead, Essiac is sold as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements have fewer rules than medicines. They do not need to show proof that they work.

Does Essiac Work?

Many important medical groups have looked into Essiac's claims about cancer. These include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Cancer Institute, and the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society says that looking at patient records does not show Essiac helps people with cancer live longer. It also does not show that Essiac makes their symptoms better. The National Cancer Institute states that Essiac and Flor Essence have not shown clear proof of fighting cancer. The FDA has even called Essiac a "Fake Cancer 'Cure' Consumers Should Avoid."

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have noted that Essiac is still popular. This is true even though there is no proof it works. Cancer Research UK also says there is "no scientific evidence that Essiac can help to treat cancer." They advise people to always ask their doctors and nurses if any alternative therapy might affect their other treatments.

Side Effects of Essiac

Essiac can cause some unwanted side effects. These might include headaches, feeling sick to your stomach, or throwing up. It can also cause diarrhea or constipation. Other possible side effects are low blood sugar, damage to your liver, or damage to your kidneys. Some people might get allergic rashes. In rare cases, serious allergic reactions have been reported.