THEHERBS.INFO

All herbal products based on Rene Caisse's formula are officially regarded as Essiac
by the FDA and FTC, regardless of trademark, product name, or country of origin.

Although "Essiac" or "essiac" have become generic names commonly used on the internet,
we prefer to use the term "sheep sorrel-based teas" where ever possible on this site. (grin)

Growing wild in most parts of the world except the tropics, sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) has been regarded as a food and folk remedy in Europe and Asia for centuries. "Sorrels have appeared in historical archives as an unproven folk remedy for cancer in both Europe and America. In the late 1740's, legislation was introduced in Williamsburg, Virginia, that permitted Mrs. Mary Johnson to use this plant as a treatment for cancer. In the 1868 Canadian Pharmacy Journal, the leaves of both the Sheep Sorrel and the taller Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) were included in the list of Canadian medicinal plants. In 1926, the National Cancer Institute received a recipe from Canada citing an old Indian [remedy] using a paste of this plant made with bread." (Source: www.indianspringherbs.com/Sheep_Sorrel.htm)

More recently, trademarked and generic 4-herb teas contain burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm bark and either Turkey or Indian rhubarb root. Other herbs in some Native American formulations included red clover, periwinkle, blessed thistle, kelp, watercress, plantain and/or prickly ash. No known sheep sorrel-based tea includes ALL of these herbs.

There are no FDA-approved clinical studies indicating any sheep sorrel-based tea cures, alleviates or prevents any disease or condition. Talk to your health care provider before taking any kind of unproven alternative herbal remedy.


Recipe in the Public Domain

Generic Producers, Products and Prices

Related Resources for Consumers includes:

      Worthwhile Information on Non-Commercial and Commercial Sites,
      Research Sites  ~   Stories  ~   FDA and FTC  ~   Newsgroups

Herbs Most Commonly Used

      Opinions about the Oxalic Acid in Sheep Sorrel
      Opinions about using Turkey or Indian Rhubarb

Possible Side Effects of Taking a Sheep Sorrel-Based Tea

Pet Pages and Forum about Supplements, Remedies and Nutrition

Other Supplements and Remedies for People and Pets

Bottles for Making Herbal Tea and Where To Get Them

How to Sterilize Glass Bottles (with a surprise ending)

Storing and Preserving Herbs

Equivalents and Conversions of US / Canadian volume measurements

1977 Homemaker's Magazine Article by Sheila Snow and Carroll Allen

Books by Sheila Snow and Mali Klein