ESSIAC HISTORY

Rene Caisse was the Head nurse at a hospital in Ontario in the 1920's.
A woman with an odd scar on her breast interested her especially when she told her that a mixture of herbs had healed her. When out in the country she had met an Ojibwe Indian who had advised her to take a herbal mixture for a growth on her breast but she had refused wanting to find more professional advice. She went back to her town and was told that the type of growth was malignant and was very invasive. The consultant surgeon advised her to prepare for the breast to be removed as quickly as possible. As she didn't want to lose her breast she immediately returned to the Indian and was given the tea, which she took regularly and found that the lump disappeared leaving only a scar.

Rene Caisse was given the herbal recipe and she tried it first on her Aunt who was told she had terminal cancer. She lived for another 20 years. Rene Caisse then used the herbs on patients in the hospital and they also improved.

In 1937 the Canadian newspapers published her story and more people flocked to see her. The Canadian Ministry of Health also took an interest but were very sceptical of a natural remedy. 55,000 signatures were presented to the Canadian Parliament to try to legalise the use of the mixture but this eventually lost in a debate by 3 votes.

Before Rene Caisse retired she approached some pharmaceutical companies asking if they would take the recipe for the herbal mixture only if they would continue producing it and giving it to cancer patients. All refused.

Eventually she gave the recipe to Mary Macpherson, Gilbert Blondin and Dr Charles A Brusch ( physician to President John F Kennedy).

The name given to the tea is Essiac (Caisse backwards), Ojibwe Herbal tea, four herb tea, tea of life and Flo-essence. There are some variations of the herbal tea but this one used here is the standard mixture commonly known as Essiac.

INDICATIONS

Cancer, M.E., Lupus, AIDS and many other auto-immune diseases. It appears to detoxify the body and enhances the immune system. It seems to work well with people undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Do not take if suffering from kidney disease or especially kidney cancer. Also it should not be taken instead of medicines prescribed by your GP. Even reducing the amounts of drugs taken can be harmful so always check with your GP first even if you do feel better.

INGREDIENTS

1) BURDOCK ROOT (Arctium Lappa). This is a blood cleanser that can neutralise poisons and clean the lymphatic system.
2)SHEEP SORREL ( Rumex Acetosella). It improves the liver and bowel functions. It also prevents the destruction of red blood cells and improves the oxygen transport system.
3)SLIPPERY ELM ( Ulmus Fulva). It is a nourishing food, containing inulin which aids the liver, spleen and pancreas. It also soothes inflamed tissue and helps bowel function.
4) RHUBARB ROOT (Rheum Palmateum). In the small amounts used here it relieves diarrhoea and stimulates the appetite. It also restores the digestive functions, cleanses the liver and disperses stagnant blood.

DIRECTIONS

Take a maximum of 4 tablespoons of the liquid a day. If there are any problems reduce the dose or have with a drink of water. The minimum dose would be 1 teaspoon of the liquid per day. It is best to take the tea away from meals, ideally 2 hours before eating or drinking. People with stomach cancer should dilute the tea.

For more information contact Liz Adams RMANM on: 01206-514108 or email: lizadams@nature-cures.co.uk