Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

corner corner corner

Essiac tea and experiences

momanderson920
1 Recommendation

I would be interested to hear from others who have used it and stayed in remission or not. Also how they prepared it, side effects bad and good, and problems, etc. I have finally started using it and it is nasty nasty stuff. I just pray it doesn't do anything to me since it is an herb, not an FDA regulated drug. I did get it from the reputable Canada International who has the license from Rene Caisson people. If anyone has had cancer remission continue, or cancer disappear without treatment, anything like that, I am most interested, but also the opposite.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Pain Avastin Nausea and vomiting

33 replies

sim

Hi
I wanted to know about the stores in california from which essiac tea is available. Could u please post the same on the same site. I know u would be knowing if its reliable /not.
Thanx
Sim

Favored

Hi there,

I have used Essiac Tea for a couple of years. Right now, I am out of it, but, it doesn't hurt you and there are no side effects. I used the powder, its more cost effective. With the powder, you mix it at night or when its convenient for it to set for 10 to 12 hours. Use spring water or filtered water. I have a Brita pitcher and thats great water. Bring the water to a boil and mix the Essiac with the water and let it simmer for ten minutes, then let it sit for the 10 to 12 hours. It takes about 36 ounces of water. It should last a couple of weeks if you only drink once a day. The Essiac gets rid of the heavy metals from the body, because, you will urinate alot. This tea is good for you, I don't know about any other side effects. I have been in remission for awhile, it will be two years in May.

momanderson920

Favored, I wish I had started the essiac sooner. I was just so afraid to try something new and always worry about my kidneys. Now I am having a recurrence I feel sure and may even have pancreatic involvement and I am worried sick, but I just started the essiac and had my first today. No side effects is awesome...yes I am urinating alot.

youngmom

As you know, I have been drinking Essiac for almost a year now ( I am 18 months post-diagnosis ) and I am still in remission. I'm not sure if the Essiac has much to do with my remission or not ( I believe it does ), but I could never find a single negative thing about it on all of my web searches, so I feel if it can't hurt, and it may help, why not. I actually like the taste. As far as the preparation, I no longer follow that to a T. I don't let it sit for 10 hours - for me it is usually like 4 hours. I'm not sure if that will have a negataive impact on its effectiveness or not. I used the powdered form as well since that seems to be the most cost-effective. I drink most everyday, but if I skip a day, I don't sweat it. One of the things that was helpful for me before I started drinking it was to research the ingredeints individually. I found that there is some evidence supporting their effectiveness, especially the Burdock Root.

Hippieebi

I have been drinking Essiac tea since I finished chemo in September. I buy it from the Canadian distributor also. I take 2 ounces in the a.m. and 2 ounces before bed and hold my nose when I drink it and then eat a small piece of ginger cookie! I don't know if it helps or not but it's not bad for me and it really helps clean out your system...so that can't be bad.

momanderson920

Thanks for sharing this with me. I just started it yesterday and wish I had sooner. I kept waiting to find out from my docs if it was OK as I have kidney impairment. I hope it is not too late as I think my cancer has spread as I am having a great deal of pain, more than I ever had at any point with this cancer.

mmtraynor

I have been drining it for 3.5 years now, and will never stop. I have a lot of belief that it has helped keep me in remission since finishing chemo two years ago. I love the taste and have had no side effects.

momanderson920

I realize there are only 3 posters but every one of you have stayed in remission. My oncologist told me her patients drinking have stayed in remission. I just wish I had gotten it sooner. Now I think it has metastasized and may be too late.

BizzyTwinMom

I've been drinking it for 3 months now, 2oz every other day - I can't stand the taste! I'm in remission right now, I'm hoping to get to my first ever 12 months celebration in July and hoping the Essiac will help. I'm also on Avastin maintenance chemo and my Doc said it would be OK to drink the Essiac.
I've found that my nails have gone incredibly soft and rip off all the time. They also don't protect the tips of my fingers so they get sore a lot. But that's the only difference since drinking it, and its a price worth paying if its working.
I get mine from Remedies.net They are reputable and have the original recipe. You can buy it premade or to brew yourself and they are cheaper than the Canadian site.
Wishing you all the best.

songbird78

I was going to try this , really BUT after reading this article I going to not , im not advising you to not try it, make your own decisions ....
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400157

Shamrock2009

I found Essiac information on the NCI site. No human studies only animal studies and they were not encouraging
Link: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/essiac/patient/23.cdr#Section_23

youngmom

I had read both Dr. Weil's column and the NIH info before starting Essiac, however, as I said previously, the best info I found was when I googled the ingredients separately. I found that the Burdock Root, common to Essiac, Flor-Essence, as well as the Hoxsey Formula, does appear to have some merit. Even if there is no scientific evidence, to me, as long as it doesn't hurt me, I am fine with using it, and I have spoken to countless people who feel they have benefitted from it. I also find it interesting that in one of web searches I read that JFK's personal doctor is someone who claims to have cured his own cancer using Essiac.

kmarienap

They only negative thing I have heard about the tea is that the EXACT measurements died with Cassie. I don't know if this would make a difference or not.

Kellyr1

I am using E-Tea but taking it in a capsule form two times a day. It is from Nautres Sunshine. This can also be made into the tea by breaking the capsule apart. I am not a tea drinker so this is my alternative method. http://www.naturessunshine.com. Best wishes and good luck.

momanderson920

I figure what can it hurt to take it. And some people do seem to be staying in remission.

Lemona

I haven't started it yet and had decided against it because of the Dr. Weil and NIH articles. However I agree with you that as long as it doesn't hurt, why not. It can't be worse tasting than ginger tea!! I will give it a try. Good luck.

momanderson920

I drink the ginger tea occasionally too. None of the stuff tastes too great. I also drink green tea...not much better.

songbird78

I have one question, only cause im curious, do any of you who drinking this tea or taking it in caplet form have ANY side effects? anything. Or is it smooth sailing. Why I asking is because so many of you drink it , but arent reporting any side effects its supposted to cause, Im just wondering thats all. I read it causes
nausea and vomiting
increased bowel movements
swollen glands
flu-like symptoms, and slight headaches to name a few.
If you are getting some of these symptoms do you think its realated to the tea? or do do you think its a fluke and something else?
Im not saying not to drink it , its just a question.

momanderson920

songbird, I bought the tea and held off months since I had read some of the same stuff. But I kept seeing girls on the site swear by it and have no symptoms plus my oncologist said "off the record" her patients drinking it seemed to be staying in remission. With this latest scare of pain, I broke down and decided to get up the guts to try it. I followed the directions and drank only an ounce to start and then did 2 ounces and now have worked up to 4 oz. I have had absolutely NO side effects...no nauseau, bowel changes, nothing. Actually I get a very satisfied calm feeling in my stomach after I drink it. Now it does taste and smell weird but not so bad you can't get past it. I am so terrified of this cancer I figured why not. Don't make your decision based on me alone. Everyone must make their own decisions...there are things others are doing I decided not to try, but this one I am going to give a shot.

youngmom

I have had no side effects whatsoever - well maybe it contributes to me moving my bowels a little more quickly in the morning, but to me that it isn't a bad thing. I feel good drinking it and I like the woodsy taste.

Add to the discussion

Don't have an Inspire account? Join now!

Forgot password?

OCNA: @InStyleMagazine @JanetJackson InStyle magazine's December issue features the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance http://tinyurl.com/ykjhdx6

OCNA: Two Broken Broads fight ovarian cancer ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCxv9p1dvzs&feature=player_embedded

OCNA: @JanetJackson ABC Special with Janet Jackson tonight at 10:00pm EST http://www.ovariancancer.org/2009/11/18/abc-special-with-janet-jackson/

OCNA: You are invited to our Virtual Holiday Dinner Party! http://www.ovariancancer.org/party/

OCNA: We want to serve our community better. Please help us by taking a quick moment to fill out this survey. Thanks! http://tinyurl.com/yg634a4

Group leaders

You