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Other common
name(s): Essiac, Flor Essence, Tea of Life, Herbal
Essence, Vitalitea
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Essiac is a mixture of herbs that are combined to make a tea.
The original formula included burdock root (Arctium lappa L.),
slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus
fulva Michx.), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.),
and Indian rhubarb root (Rheum
palmatum L.). Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R.Br.),
blessed thistle (Cnicus
benedictus L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.),
and kelp (Laminaria
digitata [Hudson] Lamx.) were added to later recipes for a
product sold as Flor Essence.
Overview
There have been no published clinical trials in conventional
medical journals showing the effectiveness of Essiac in the treatment
of cancer. Some of the specific herbs contained in the mixture have
shown some anti-cancer effects in laboratory experiments. However, most
laboratory studies of Essiac have found no effectiveness against cancer
cells, and one reported that it increases growth of breast cancer
cells. Available scientific evidence does not support its use for the
treatment of cancer in humans.
How is it promoted for use?
Promoters claim Essiac strengthens the immune system, improves
well-being, relieves pain, increases appetite, reduces tumor size, and
extends survival. Some also claim that it cleanses the blood, promotes
cell repair, restores energy levels, and detoxifies the body. The herbs
contained in Essiac are claimed to relieve inflammation, lubricate
bones and joints, stimulate the stomach, and eliminate excess mucous in
organs, tissues, lymph glands, and nerve channels.
It was originally claimed Essiac worked by changing tumors
into normal tissue. Proponents claimed a tumor would become larger and
harder after a few doses of Essiac, then would soften, shrink, and be
discharged by the body.
Essiac and Flor Essence are also promoted to treat AIDS and a
variety of digestive system problems.
What does it involve?
Essiac is available in dry and liquid formulas, and methods of
preparation and dosage vary by manufacturer. Some recommend spring or
non-fluoridated water, and most require refrigeration after brewing. A
typical dose is 1 ounce taken 1 to 3 times per day. Practitioners
advise that Essiac tea should be taken on an empty stomach, 2 hours
before or after meals, for a period of at least 1 to 2 years. The
manufacturer of Flor Essence recommends 1 to 12 ounces of tea daily.
Essiac and Flor Essence are available through mail order and
can also be purchased, in the United States in health food stores as a
dietary supplement and as a health tonic in Canada.
What is the history behind it?
In 1922, a public health nurse named Rene Caisse from Ontario,
Canada learned about Essiac from a patient. The patient claimed to have
recovered from breast cancer by taking an Indian herbal tea developed
by an Ojibwa medicine man. She obtained the recipe and reportedly
treated her aunt's stomach cancer with the tea. In 1924, Caisse opened
a clinic and began to offer cancer patients the herbal mixture, which
she named Essiac (her last name spelled backward). She treated
thousands of patients using her secret formula as a tea and as an
injection. Canadian medical authorities investigated the clinic in 1938
and concluded that there was little evidence for the effectiveness of
Essiac. Caisse gave her 4-herb formula to a manufacturer in Toronto in
1977, a year before her death, with the intent of having it tested and
sold for a reasonable cost.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center conducted animal
testing of Essiac in 1959 and the mid-1970s but no anti-tumor effects
were verified. In 1983, Canadian federal health officials requested
that Essiac be tested by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI),
which found no evidence of anti-cancer activity in animal studies.
Canadian health officials reviewed 86 case studies and concluded that
there was no evidence that Essiac slowed the progression of cancer.
They noted that there were few serious side effects, however, and that
people may have benefited psychologically from the treatment.
What is the evidence?
Although there have been many testimonials, there have been no
clinical trials testing the effectiveness of Essiac or Flor Essence.
Reviews of medical records of people who have been treated with Essiac
do not support claims that this product helps people with cancer live
longer or that it relieves their symptoms.
Animal studies conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center and the NCI from the 1950s through the 1980s concluded that
Essiac was not effective. The majority of subsequent studies have
confirmed these findings. A recent laboratory study found that Essiac
and Flor Essence actually increased growth of breast cancer cells. Flor
Essence has not been tested as a cancer treatment in humans.
Some components of Essiac and Flor Essence have been tested
individually in laboratory and animal studies. Some of these studies
identified substances with anti-tumor or anti-inflammatory properties.
However, these results cannot be interpreted as evidence of
effectiveness in humans. To the contrary, the available scientific
information indicates that these products are not helpful.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Serious side effects are uncommon. Essiac may cause headache,
nausea, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, low blood sugar, liver
damage, and kidney damage. Rarely, serious allergic reactions have been
reported.
In addition, the potential interactions between Essiac and
other drugs and herbs should be considered. Some of these combinations
may be dangerous. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any
herbs you are taking. Relying on this type of treatment alone and
avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have
serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Eberding A, Madera C, Xie S, Wood CA, Brown PN, Guns ES.
Evaluation of the antiproliferative effects of Essiac on in vitro and
in vivo models of prostate cancer compared to paclitaxel. Nutr Cancer.
2007;58:188-196.
Essiac. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Web site.
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69215.cfm. Accessed June 4, 2008.
Essiac/flor-essence (PDQ®).
National Cancer Institute
Web site.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/essiac/healthprofessional/allpages.
Accessed June 4, 2008.
Herbal/plant therapies: essiac detailed scientific review.
Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources, The University
of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Web site.
http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/CIMER/display.cfm?id=03F2CD11-EE0F-11D4-810200508B603A14&method=displayFull.
Accessed June 4, 2008.
Kulp KS, Montgomery JL, Nelson DO, Cutter B, Latham ER,
Shattuck DL, Klotz DM, Bennett LM. Essiac and Flor-Essence herbal
tonics stimulate the in vitro growth of human breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat.
2006;98:249-259. Epub 2006 Mar 16.
Seely D, Kennedy DA, Myers SP, Cheras PA, Lin D, Li R, Cattley
T, Brent PA, Mills E, Leonard BJ. In vitro analysis of the herbal
compound Essiac. Anticancer
Res. 2007;27:3875-3882.
Zick SM, Sen A, Feng Y, Green J, Olatunde S, Boon H. Trial of
Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer (TEA-BC). J Altern Complement Med.
2006;12:971-980.
Note:
This
information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as
medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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