ESSIAC - A CURE FOR CANCER? In 1922, Rene Caisse, a nurse who worked in an Ontario Hospital, found an elderly woman patient with a strangely scarred breast. The woman explained to Caisse that 30 years earlier doctors told her she had advanced breast cancer and would need to have a mastectomy. She declined surgery. A Native American friend in Ontario offered to treat the woman's cancer with herbal medicine. She accepted. The man, who was an Ojibway herbalist, gave her the herb recipe, and showed her how to brew it. She drank the tea daily until the tumors shrank and disappeared. Two decades later, she was still totally cancer free. Caisse obtained the recipe and, with the permission of Dr. R.O. Fisher, began treating patients. Her first patient was her aunt who was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer and given six months to live. For two months her aunt drank the herbal brew and recovered. She lived for 20 years more. Fisher and Caisse began treating cancer patients who had been diagnosed as terminal by their doctors. Many of them improved dramatically. Caisse and Fisher modified the herbs somewhat, and Caisse named the concoction "Essiac," her name spelled backward. Through the years, Caisse treated thousands of cases. The vast majority were brought to her after all other treatment methods had failed. Many individuals experienced complete or vastly improved conditions. The Royal Cancer Commission, concerned that Caisse was practicing medicine without a license, censored her work. She never stopped helping those who came to her until her death in 1978. Though she had numerous lucrative offers for the formula, she always feared that some large company would take it over and that Essiac would then become less freely available to the people who needed it most. In 1959, Caisse introduced the Essiac formula to Dr. Charles Brusch, a physician to President Kennedy. She started a series of treatments on terminal cancer patients and laboratory mice at the Brusch Medical Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she was supervised by eighteen doctors. Dr. Charles McClure, supervisor of research, and Dr. Charles Brusch concluded after three months that "On mice, Essiac has been shown to cause a decided recession of the mass and a definite change in cell formation. Clinically, on patients suffering from pathologically proven cancer, it reduces pain and causes a recession in the growth." This research, and Caisse's more than 25 years of clinical records documenting her own treatments, convinced doctors at the Brusch Medical Center that Essiac had merit in the treatment of cancer. Caisse would not reveal her formula to the medical world because she said they would not assure her they would use it to treat cancer. The American Medical Society forbade its members to refer patients to the clinic. In 1978, Caisse signed over the rights to her Essiac formula to the Respirin Corp. and Dr. Brusch, before she died at the age of 90. Brusch turned his version of the formula to Elaine Alexander of Vancouver, British Columbia, and it is now marketed by a Canadian company called Flora Inc. The basic formula consists of four herbs: burdock root (Arctium lappa), Turkey rhubarb (Rheum palatum), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and slippery elm (Ulmus fulva). Burdock root, eaten as spring greens, stimulates production of bile and helps liver function. As a first year root, dug in autumn, it is used as a blood purifier. It is renowned for reducing the pain and swelling of arthritis. An extract of the root contains inulin, which the body converts to insulin, helpful to diabetics. Turkey rhubarb, used as stems, is found in puddings and pies. The root stock is both laxative and astringent. It is effective for diarrhea and known to work in removing debris from and cleansing the bowels. In Chinese medicine, it is used to treat fevers and chronic liver problems. Sheep sorrel is used to treat scurvy, to strengthen the heart, and to cool liver. The fresh leaves contain a number of acids which makes them a delicacy in fresh salads. It is respected as a diuretic and as a treatment for blood disorders. The inner bark of slippery elm is used to heal wounds and is known for the blanketing effect it has on the mucous membranes of the digestive system. It soothes sore throats and coats the intestinal tract, producing speculation that its role in the Essiac formula is to protect the body when toxins are released. Each of these four herbs are rich in vitamins and minerals and were used by food by the Native Americans when no food was available. For a more in-depth look at Essiac, you can read the following: Sheila Snow's, The Essence of Essiac (available for $25 check or MO from SNOW, Box 396, Port Carling, Ontario, Canada POB 1JO). Richard Walters, "Essiac: A Remarkable Canadian Indian Remedy for Cancer." For the People Network Inc., Telford Hotel, 3 River St., White Springs, FL 32096. Oscar Janiger, M.D. "What's Up Doc?" interview with Krysta Gibson, New Times, V. 9, 1; P.O. Box 51186, Seattle WA 98115-1186. Gary Glum, D.C. "Another Suppressed Cure," Unusual Alternatives for Health, Aug/Sep, 1992. Gary Glum, DC, The Calling of an Angel, (Silent Walker Publishing, 1988), PO Box 92856, Los Angeles, CA 90009. Barbara Mowbray, Creating Herbal Remedies, Box 962, Redmond, WA 98073. THE ESSIAC FORMULA 6.5 cups of burdock root, cut 16 oz. sheep sorrel powdered (includes stem, leaves, and seeds) 1 oz. Turkish rubharb root, powdered 4 oz. slippery elm bark, powdered Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Bring two gallons fresh spring water to a boil. Drop in 8 oz. of the Essiac blend, cover and boil hard for ten minutes. Turn off the heat. Let sit for 6 hours. Turn on the heat and bring mixture just to a boil. Strain mixture through a metal strainer into another pot. Wash first pot thoroughly. Strain mixture once more into original pot. Immediately pour final formula into amber bottles (16 oz. bottles preferably). Cap. Store in a cool dark place. Refrigerate after opening. Dosage: Shake well to mix up sediment at the bottom, and measure 4 tsp. of Essiac blend to 4 tsp warm spring water. Best taken on an empty stomach each night before retiring. Dosage may be increased or decreased according to body weight. Best: 2 to 4 oz. per day (100 to 150 lbs: 6 oz.). Cautions: Avoid using plastic or aluminum while preparing formula. Never store in plastic bottles. If a green mold appears, discard contents. Sunlight destroys beneficial aspects of formula. Do not freeze. From the book, The Calling of an Angel, by Dr. Gary Glum, (Silent Walker Publishing, Los Angeles, California, 1988).