Essiac

by MedlinePlus

Essiac® contains a combination of herbs, including burdock root ( Arctium lappa ), sheep sorrel ( Rumex acetosella ), slippery elm inner bark ( Ulmus fulva ), and Turkish rhubarb ( Rheum palmatum ). The original formula was developed by the Canadian nurse Rene Caisse (1888-1978) in the 1920s ("Essiac" is Caisse spelled backwards). The recipe is said to be based on a traditional Ojibwa (Native American) remedy, and Caisse administered the formula by mouth and injection to numerous cancer patients during the 1920s and 1930s. The exact ingredients and amounts in the original formulation remain a secret.

During investigations by the Canadian government and public hearings in the late 1930s, it remained unclear if Essiac® was an effective cancer treatment. Amidst controversy, Caisse closed her clinic in 1942. In the 1950s, Caisse provided samples of Essiac® to Dr. Charles Brusch, founder of the Brusch Medical Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who administered Essiac® to patients (it is unclear if Brusch was given access to the secret formula). According to some accounts, additional herbs were added to these later formulations, including blessed thistle ( Cnicus benedictus ), red clover ( Trifolium pratense ), kelp ( Laminaria digitata ), and watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ).

A laboratory at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center tested Essiac® samples (provided by Caisse) on mice during the 1970s. This research was never formally published, and there is controversy regarding the results, with some accounts noting no benefits, and others reporting significant effects (including an account by Dr. Brusch). Questions were later raised of improper preparation of the formula. Caisse subsequently refused requests by researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and the U.S. National Cancer Institute for access to the recipe.

In the 1970s, Caisse provided the formula to Resperin Corporation Ltd., with the understanding that Resperin would coordinate a scientific trial in humans. Although a study was initiated, it was stopped early amidst questions of improper preparation of the formula and inadequate study design. This research was never completed. Resperin Corporation Ltd., which owned the Essiac® name, formally went out of business after transferring rights to the Essiac® name and selling the secret formula to Essiac Products Ltd., which currently distributes products through Essiac® International.

Despite the lack of available scientific evidence, Essiac® and Essiac-like products (with similar ingredients) remain popular among patients, particularly in those with cancer. Essiac® is most commonly taken as a tea. A survey conducted in the year 2000 found almost 15% of Canadian women with breast cancer to be using Essiac®. It has also become popular in patients with HIV and diabetes, and in healthy individuals for its purported immune enhancing properties, although there is no reliable scientific research in these areas.

There are more than 40 Essiac-like products available in North America, Europe, and Australia. Flor-essence® includes the original four herbs (burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm bark, Turkish rhubarb) as well as herbs that were later added as "potentiators" (blessed thistle, red clover, kelp, watercress). Virginias Herbal E® contains the four original herbsalong with echinaceaand black walnut. Other commercial formulations may include additional ingredients, such as cat's claw ( Uncaria tomentosa ).

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Cancer

There are no properly conducted published human studies of Essiac® for cancer. A laboratory at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center tested Essiac® on mice during the 1970s, although results were never formally published and remain controversial. Questions were raised of improper preparation of the formula. A human study was started in Canada in the late 1970s but was stopped early due to concerns about inconsistent preparation of the formula and inadequate study design. In the 1980s, the Canadian Department of National Health and Welfare collected information about 86 cancer patients treated with Essiac®. Results were inconclusive (17 patients had died at the time of the study, inadequate information was available for 8 patients, "no benefits" were found in 47 patients, five reported reduced need for pain medications, and 1 noted subjective improvement). Most individuals also received other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, making the effects of Essiac® impossible to isolate.Currently, there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against the use of this herbal mixture as a therapy for any type of cancer. Different brands may contain variable ingredients, and the comparative effectiveness of these formulas is not known. None of the individual herbs used in Essiac® has been tested in rigorous human cancer trials (rhubarb has shown some anti-tumor properties in animal experiments; slippery elm inner bark has not; sheep sorrel and burdock have been used traditionally in cancer remedies). Numerous individual patient testimonials and reports from manufacturers are available on the Internet, although these cannot be considered scientifically viable as evidence. Individuals with cancer are advised not to delay treatment with more proven therapies.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

AIDS/HIV, appetite stimulant, arthritis, asthma, bladder cancer, blood cleanser, breast cancer, chelating agent (heavy metals), chronic fatigue syndrome, colon cancer, detoxification, diabetes, endometrial cancer, energy enhancement, head/neck cancers, Hodgkin's disease, immune system enhancement, kidney diseases, leukemia, lip cancer, liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), longevity, lung cancer, Lyme disease, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, nutritional supplement, ovarian cancer, supportive care in advanced cancer patients, pancreatic cancer, paralysis, prostate cancer, reduction of chemotherapy side effects, stomach cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus, throat cancer, thyroid disorders, tongue cancer, well-being.

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