How It Works
Bottom Line: Essiac® cannot treat or cure cancer, HIV, or any other medical condition. Essiac® was developed in the 1920s by Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, who claimed that her tea was an old Native American recipe. It contains four botanicals:
burdock root,
sheep sorrel,
slippery elm, and
rhubarb. Rhubarb and sheep sorrel contain compounds that stimulate peristalsis and mucous secretion, which may aid digestion. In laboratory experiments, rhubarb has been seen to suppress activity of part of the immune system and cause tumor death in mice, but these effects have not been shown in humans. Burdock root has been shown to lower blood sugar in animals. Scientists are uncertain how the combination of these botanicals acts in the human body, or if the amount of each in the prepared tea would be enough to elicit a biological response. For more in-depth information on each botanical, please see their individual monographs.
Purported Uses
To treat cancer
Rhubarb, one ingredient of Essiac®, causes tumor cell death in laboratory mice, but these results are not always transferable to the human body. There is no proof from clinical trials to support this use.
To treat HIV and AIDS
No clinical evidence supports this use.
To stimulate the immune system
In laboratory studies, rhubarb, one ingredient of Essiac®, suppresses activity of part of the immune system, but these results are not always transferable to the human body. There is no proof from clinical trials to support this use.
As a tonic
No scientific evidence supports this use.
Research Evidence
No clinical trials have been performed to test whether the health claims made by the marketers of Essiac® are true.
Warnings
- Because it is not regulated by the F.D.A., this product may be contaminated with other botanicals and/or the concentration listed on the label may be inaccurate.
Do Not Take If
You have kidney or liver problems.
You are undergoing chemotherapy (In a single case report, levels of a chemotherapy drug were increased in the blood of a patient also taking Essiac®, with the potential for increased toxicity. This may be due to an inhibition of metabolism of the chemotherapy drug in the liver. Take with caution and ask your oncologist.)
Side Effects
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea (Note: excessive diarrhea may cause abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood)
Contact dermatitis (redness and inflammation of the skin)
Anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction) has been reported after use of Essiac®.
Scientific Name
Burdock root (Arctium lappa), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), slippery elm bark (Ulmus fulva), turkish rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum)
Brand Name
Essiac®, Vitaltea®, Flor-Essence®
Clinical Summary
This product is composed of four botanicals: cut or dried burdock root, powdered sheep sorrel root, powdered slippery elm bark, and powdered rhubarb root (1) (2). The formula is consumed as a tea. Promoters claim that it boosts the immune system, acts as a tonic, and treats cancer and HIV. However, there are no published clinical trials showing efficacy for any claims made. Data from in vitro studies suggest that Essiac can stimulate growth of human breast cancer cells both via estrogen receptor (ER) dependent and ER independent pathways (3). Case reports indicate that burdock root contaminated with belladonna have caused atropine-like toxicity. No drug interactions are documented except for a single case report of decreased clearance of chemotherapy possibly due to inhibition of hepatic metabolism (4). Possible adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, hypoglycemia, renal and hepatic toxicity with chronic consumption (5).
Purported uses
- Cancer treatment
- Health maintenance
- HIV and AIDS
- Immunostimulation
Constituents
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella):
Derived from the aerial parts of the plant. Sheep sorrel historically has been used to treat inflammation, scurvy, cancer, and diarrhea. The major constituents of sheep sorrel include anthraquinones, oxalates, and various vitamins including A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K. Consumption of large doses may result in diarrhea from the anthraquinone content and renal and liver damage from the oxalate content. There are no published trials evaluating the efficacy of sheep sorrel for any the proposed claims.
Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva):
Derived from the inner bark of the tree. Slippery elm has been used historically for gastrointestinal disorders, skin ulcers or abscesses, cancers, cough, fevers, and inflammation. The primary constituent, mucilage, is thought to account for the demulcent effects. To date, no human or animal studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of any of the proposed claims. Toxicity of slippery elm is low, based on chemical components. No adverse reactions or drug interactions are reported in the literature. Slippery elm appears to be safe for coughs and minor gastrointestinal complaints. However, it should not be used to treat severe conditions such as cancer or bronchitis.
Burdock (Arctium lappa):
Derived from the root or seeds of the plant. Historically, burdock has been used as a diuretic and to reduce blood sugar levels. It is claimed to treat anorexia, gout, cancer, and HIV, although no clinical studies are reported in the literature. Animal studies indicate possible hypoglycemic effect; therefore, a theoretical interaction exists with insulin and hypoglycemics. Several cases of burdock tea contaminated with belladonna alkaloids have been reported in Europe and United States. Product should be certified against contamination and labeled accordingly.
Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum):
Derived from the root of the plant. Rhubarb has been used for a variety of conditions including cancer, immunosuppression, constipation, diarrhea, gastrointestinal ulcers, and chronic renal failure. The anthraquinone and tannins are thought responsible for the laxative and constipating effects, respectively. There is limited human clinical data for any of the claims made. Animal data show antitumor effects in mice, but this has not been studied in humans. Adverse effects are primarily gastrointestinal. Chronic consumption can cause hypokalemia due to diarrhea, possible renal and hepatic damage from oxalates, and theoretical hypokalemia when combined with diuretics and altered response to digoxin.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action is not established. Rhubarb and sheep sorrel contain anthraquinones that stimulate secretion of mucosa and water, as well as stimulate peristalsis. Additional activities of anthraquinones isolated from rhubarb show stimulation of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF in vitro and tumor necrosis against sarcoma 37, breast cancer, and Ehrlich cell lines in mice. Burdock root can induce hypoglycemia in animal models. Tannin extract may induce macrophage response and the lignan and sesquiterpene extracts were shown to inhibit platelet activating factor (PAF) in vitro
(1) (2).
Contraindications
Theoretically, patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency should not consume this product.
Adverse Reactions
Reported: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypokalemia due to chronic diarrhea, contact dermatitis, and anaphylaxis
(3)
Herb-Drug Interactions
Cytochrome p450: Case report - decreased clearance of an experimental chemotherapy in a single patient taking Essiac. May be due to inhibition of cytochrome p450 isoenzymes.
(4)
Literature Summary and Critique
No clinical studies have been published evaluating the claims made for Essiac.
References
