Essiac

Essiac
Published on Cancer Network (http://www.cancernetwork.com)
Essiac
October 11, 2011 | Integrative Oncology [1], Oncology Journal [2]
By Barrie R. Cassileth, MS, PhD [3]
During the 1970s and 80s, several researchers in Canada and in the United States, including those
at the National Cancer Institute, studied Essiac. All failed to find any evidence of effectiveness.
CONSTITUENTS:
Essiac: Burdock (Arctium lappa), rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and
slippery elm (Ulmus rubra). Flor-Essence: Essiac, red clover (Trifolium pratense), blessed thistle
(Carduus benedictus), kelp (Laminaria digitata), and watercress (Nasturtium officinale).
BACKGROUND: Essiac, a botanical formulation of four
herbs, was popularized as a cancer treatment in the 1920s by Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse (Essiac
is Caisse spelled backwards). It is believed that she obtained the formula from a patient who claimed
to have learned about it from an Ojibwa healer, and who said that the mixture had cured her breast
cancer. Caisse began to use the formula in the form of tea and as an injection to treat cancer
patients. However, concerns about the use of Essiac led to an investigation by the Cancer
Commission of Ontario in 1938, which failed to find evidence of Essiac’s effectiveness. However,
Caisse continued to offer it to patients and modified the original product to further promote its use
by adding four more herbs. The new formula, Flor-Essence, was thought to be more potent than
Essiac, had improved taste, and could be taken orally by patients, thereby eliminating the need for
injection. TAKE HOME POINTS
•
•
•
Essiac, a blend of four herbs, is a controversial
alternative cancer treatment that has been used
for over 80 years despite the absence of
documented benefit.
Claims for this product are based on patient
testimonials and anecdotes.
Patients should avoid use of Essiac, since this
may delay conventional care.
For additional information, visit the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Integrative Medicine Service website, "About Herbs," at http://www.mskcc.org/AboutHerbs.
During the 1970s and 80s, several researchers in Canada and in the United States, including those at
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Essiac
Published on Cancer Network (http://www.cancernetwork.com)
the National Cancer Institute, studied Essiac. All failed to find any evidence of effectiveness.
Despite unsubstantiated claims, Essiac remains a popular anticancer therapy today. Essiac and its
variant Flor-essence are manufactured by various companies and marketed worldwide in the form of
powders, capsules, teas, and liquid extracts. Promoters claim these products reduce tumor burden,
enhance immune response, relieve pain, reduce toxic effects of chemotherapy, and improve
survival.
RESEARCH: In vitro studies show that Essiac has antioxidant[1] and cytotoxic properties[2,3];
however, it also stimulated growth of human breast cancer cells.[4] Studies of its antiproliferative
effects on prostate cancer cells also yielded conflicting results.[5,6]
Remission of hormone-refractory prostate cancer was reported in one patient,[7] but a retrospective
study of breast cancer patients found that Essiac did not improve quality of life or mood.[8]
ADVERSE REACTIONS: A 59-year-old woman reported symptoms of anorexia, nausea, myalgia,
fatigue, and generalized abdominal pain following consumption of Essiac over a 6-month period; her
symptoms resolved after discontinuing the tea.[9] The manufacturer of Flor-Essence states that
users may experience increased bowel movements, frequent urination, swollen glands, skin
blemishes, flu-like symptoms, or slight headaches.[10]
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS: Decreased clearance of an experimental chemotherapy drug was
reported in a patient taking Essiac.[11] This may have been due to inhibition of several cytochrome
P450 enzymes by Essiac.[2]
Other Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Therapies
Commonly Used by Patients With Breast Cancer
The following CAM therapies are among those most often used by patients with breast cancer. Most are initiated to combat the cancer or the effects of its treatment; others are among those patients may have been using before cancer was diagnosed. The
potential effects and possible interactions of each with more standard breast cancer therapies are given.
Herbal Supplements
Black cohosh–May have additive effects when used with tamoxifen; it can also increase the toxicity
of doxorubicin and docetaxel.
Dong quai–Stimulates proliferation of breast cancer cells and has additive effects with
anticoagulants.
Medicinal mushrooms (maitake, reishi, and coriolus)–Because of their immunomodulating
effects, these may interact with both immunostimulants and immune-suppressants.
Red clover–Has estrogenic activity and can stimulate growth of breast cancer cells; it also has
additive effects with anticoagulants.
Soy–Antagonizes the effects of tamoxifen on estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer.
Whole Medical Systems
Traditional Chinese medicine–Regimens include herbal use, acupuncture, and dietary
recommendations; these have potential for herb-drug interactions.
Ayurveda–Treatments consist of detoxification, adherence to strict dietary principles, herbal
supplements, and yoga; there is potential for herb-drug interactions.
Supportive Therapies
Massage therapy
Music therapy
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Essiac
Published on Cancer Network (http://www.cancernetwork.com)
Acupuncture
Hypnosis
Guided Imagery
Relaxation techniques
These are noninvasive therapies and techniques that help control symptoms; adverse effects and interactions are rare.
References:
REFERENCES
1. Leonard SS, Keil D, Mehlman T, et al. Essiac tea: Scavenging of reactive oxygen species and
effects on DNA damage. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007;103:288-96.
2. Seely D, Kenney DA, Myers SP, et al. In vitro analysis of the herbal compound Essiac. Anticancer
Res. 2007;27:3875-82.
3. Taj J, Cheung S, Wong S, Lowe C. In vitro comparison of Essiac and Flor-Essence on human tumor
cell lines. Oncol Rep. 2004;11:471-6.
4. Kulp KS, Montgomery JL, Nelson DO, et al. Essiac and Flor-Essence herbal tonics stimulate the in
vitro growth of human breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2006;98:249-59.
5. Ottenweller J, Putt K, Blumenthal EJ, et al. Inhibition of prostate cancer-cell proliferation by Essiac.
J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10:687-91.
6. Eberding A, Madera C, Xie S, et al. Evaluation of the antiproliferative effects of Essiac on in vitro
and in vivo models of prostate cancer compared to paclitaxel. Nutr Cancer. 2007;58:188-96.
7. Al-Sukhni W, Grunbaum A, Fleshner N. Remission of hormone-refractory prostate cancer attributed
to Essiac. Can J Urol. 2005;12:2841-2.
8. Zick SM, Sen A, Feng Y, et al. Trial of Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer
(TEA-BC). J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12:971-80.
9. Kessenich CR, Higgs D. Herbal tea components and liver function. Nurse Pract. 2010;35:10-1.
10. Flora Flor•Essence®. Burnaby, Canada: Flora Manufacturing & Distributing Ltd.
http://www.florahealth.com/Flora/Home/canada/Products/R8070.asp Accessed on March 3, 2011.
11. Geyer C, et al. Dose-schedule optimization of the hexacyclic camptothecin (CPT) analog
dx-8951f: a phase I and pharmacokinetic study with escalation of both treatment duration and dose
(meeting abstract). Proc Annu Meet Am Soc Clin Oncol. 1999;18.
Source URL: http://www.cancernetwork.com/integrative-oncology/essiac
Links:
[1] http://www.cancernetwork.com/integrative-oncology
[2] http://www.cancernetwork.com/oncology-journal
[3] http://www.cancernetwork.com/authors/barrie-r-cassileth-ms-phd
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