Now Foods Ojibwa Herbal Extract. Esiak. Essiac. Traditional herbal formula. Contains high quality, alcohol free, 4:1 herbal extracts in a vegetarian Capsule. Supports cellular detoxification. Containing a concentrated blend of premium, detoxifying and immune supporting herbal extracts in a formulation thought to have originated with the Ojibwa Indians of North America. Passed from generation to generation, variations of this formula gained much popularity in Canada during the 1930s and 40s for supporting the wellbeing of people diagnosed with cancer. Three esiak Capsules is equivalent to 113g of the traditional tea.
The history of Essiac
Essiac was originally a Canadian Ojibwa Indian preparation of common herbs growing wild in Canada.
Rene Caisse, a French Canadian nurse used this to treat hundreds of people with cancer, diabetes and other metabolic illnesses, earlier in the century. It has now re-emerged in better shape than ever, despite efforts to suppress its use.
What does Essiac Contain?
The herbal mixture is simple - Mostly Sheep's sorrel leaves and stems (Rumex acetosella), Burdock root (Arctium lappa), Turkish Rhubarb Root (Rheum palmatum) and Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus fulva).
This formula was made up as a tea and mixed with apple juice (in order to keep it). A company in Canada is making an alternative form of Essiac, which has other herbs added. It has been recommended in the treatment of AIDS, M.E and arthritis. The company as yet is not prepared to disclose this improved formula. The early benefit from a preparation like this is the feeling of well being and positiveness. Users become easier to live with and have more energy.
Why Essiac is Effective
Essiac is a synergistic preparation. The ingredients, as well as the quantities of ingredients, work together. They enhance each other. No one knows exactly why. Analysing the compound does not clarify the matter.
Rene Caisse felt Essiac worked on the glands, improving digestion, reducing the tumours and detoxifying the liver. This explains why people feel good in such a short time after using it. People who use it daily are reputed not to get colds. Some people have started taking it when they have not been expected to live more than a few weeks. These people are not only alive, but feeling positive about living and are now gaining strength. Those whose condition is much less grave are getting on with their lives, free of fear.
What kind of things can taking Essiac do in the body?
One of the pronounced effects on the body after using Essiac for only a short time is that it regulates the bowel. Lazy or stagnant as well as over active bowels seem to regulate. Piles disappeared in a few days in a 50 year old arthritic.
Once digestion and absorption are taking place in the body, metabolic toxins are not being produced, which takes a great load off the liver.
The main milestone when a person starts taking Essiac appears to be 6 weeks, 3 months and then 6-12 months. No one locally has been on it this long, but overseas reports indicate these periods as being significant.
All those taking Essiac have been positive about their condition and feel better and despite the relatively brief period Essiac has been known about in NZ, its users all report benefits and improvements.
(This information has been extracted from the February, 1993 edition of "Soil Health" magazine)
