What is Essiac?

For the purposes of this post we’re going to focus simply on what Rene Caisse developed as today’s 4-herb essiac blend, including sheep sorrel roots. This is important to state up front because we want to recognize the many different takes there are on essiac, but our recommendation is that you stick with the time-tested version we’re going to describe below. Why change it if it works, right?

The 4 herbs of Essiac

As mentioned above we’re going to focus on the 4-herb version, developed by a Canadian Nurse named Rene Caisse. Unlike most teas, which are infusions of herbs over short steeping periods, essiac is made as a decoction. Decoctions are made over longer steeping periods to pull out necessary ingredients from the herbs. Essiac tea includes 4 herbs: Sheep Sorrel with roots included, Burdock Root, Slippery Elm, and Turkey Rhubarb. Let’s take a closer look at each herb below.

Sheep Sorrel – Rumex Acetosella

Known as red sorrel or sour grass, sheep sorrel is an important component to essiac tea. Typically it is coarse/ground or found powdered in tea mixtures. Sheep sorrel leaves are described as narrow and pointed with distinctive tails where the leaf joins the stalk and the plant can grown 12-18″ (30-45 cms) in height.

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Burdock Root – Arctium lappa

This ingredient provides the essiac decoction most of it’s color and taste. The roots are used and are chopped to the size of small peas in most essiac tea herb blends. It grows up to 5ft tall (1.5m) and has broad, heart shaped leaves with spiky purple floret balls.

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Slippery Elm – Ulmus rubra

Known also as Moose Elm, Indian Elm or Red Elm, the inner bark of this tree provides the essiac decoction with it’s often gel-like substance floating throughout the tea. Growing up to 60′ (18.25 m) in height, these trees can last up to 200 years. Carefully harvested bark is used after a tree’s inner bark is at least 10 years old. The inner bark is found cut and dried or powdered in essiac tea blends.

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Turkey rhubarb – Rheum palmatum

Known for it’s ability to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, this root has been widely used for centuries. It is known to have laxative properties which help cleanse the gut. Flower stalks of the plant can grow up to 8′ (2.43 m) in height and have massive root systems that weigh upwards of 30 lbs. The roots of this plant are used as either cut and dried or powdered in essiac tea blends.

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Next up, Where do I purchase Essiac?

• Essiac for Pets
• Essiac Ingredients
• Essiac Vendors
• History of Essiac
• Making Essiac
• Resources
• Taking Essiac
• Testimonials
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