Essiac Tea Health Benefits and Traditional Uses

How can you benefit from drinking Essiac tea? Aside from its tasty flavour, see some of the traditional health-promoting links right here.

Essiac tea is new to the Bondi Beach Tea Co. range, but its traditional health benefits have been around for a lot longer. A mixture of natural plant-based ingredients, Essiac is a formula that originated in Native America and is renowned for its potential to help rid the body of toxins and promote cellular renewal.

In this article, we will delve a little further into the benefits and traditional uses of Essiac tea.

The history of Essiac tea

Essiac was named in the 1920’s after Canadian-based nurse, Rene Caisse, promoted the blend as a natural treatment for cancer (Essiac was her surname spelt backwards). Rene worked alongside an American doctor from 1959 to the late 1970’s to study Essiac and promote its subsequent use as a legitimate cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the results of their studies and findings were never reported in any peer-viewed scientific journals and, as such, Essiac is neither medically nor scientifically proven for any cancer-related benefits.

Since the 1980’s, many companies have been creating their own products to mimic Rene’s original blend, and consumers have had various personal health experiences with the concoctions.

What are the main ingredients of Essiac?

The blend of Essiac tea is a natural mixture of bark, roots and leaves. The traditional blend of Essiac consists of four ingredients; burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm and Indian (or Turkey) rhubarb. When combined, these four ingredients create a symbiotic effect much more than consuming them alone.

What are some health benefits associated with Essiac tea?

Traditionally, Essiac has been used to treat health issues such as gastrointestinal diseases and diabetes. ^[1] Here is some more about information its impressive benefits.

Anti-inflammatory

Essiac tea acts as a natural anti-inflammatory when consumed. This makes Essiac’s claims to helping with a wide range of ailments more believable, being that inflammation is the root cause of many illnesses. Essiac is said to be particularly beneficial in the treatment of pain associated with arthritis and respiratory tract infections. ^[2]

Sheep sorrel is also linked with helping to reduce inflammation and pain associated with sinusitis. The tannins present in the ingredient also have an ability to decrease the overproduction of mucus. ^[3]

Immune-Boosting

Studies of Essiac show that it boasts significant antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties and has the potential to rid some tumour cells. ^[4]

Burdock root helps to detox the lymphatic system which is an immune-boosting process for the body as a whole.

Detoxifies the body

There are a couple of Essiac’s ingredients that are helpful in detoxifying the body.

• Burdock root is an excellent blood purifying agent which clears out toxins from the bloodstream
• Indian (or Turkey) rhubarb also has detoxifying properties through an ability to act as a natural and gentle laxative. This ingredient also helps to cleanse the liver of toxic buildup and waste

Improves gastrointestinal problems

The slippery elm in Essiac tea contains a substance known as mucilage. Mucilage transforms into a slick gel-like form when it is mixed with water. It coats and soothes the lining of the throat, mouth, stomach and intestines. It is also high in antioxidants and relaxes inflammation associated with gastrointestinal conditions.

Slippery elm also boosts reflux stimulation of the nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract and promotes mucus secretion. These increased levels of mucus can protect against excess acidity and ulcers. This ingredient is typically used for the treatment of sore throats, coughs, Crohn’s disease, reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). ^[5]

The Indian, or Turkey, rhubarb is also linked with benefits associated with the gastrointestinal system. These rhubarb varieties contain malic acid which aids in energy levels and healing. These varieties are said to be more beneficial than common garden rhubarb root. ^[6]

* New product alert: do you suffer from reflux? Check out our Bondi Beach Tea Heartburn Tea here.

How to drink Essiac tea

For maximum impact, Essiac tea is best consumed on an empty stomach. Enjoy a cup before breakfast or about two hours before bedtime and after dinner.

For our Bondi Beach Tea Essiac Tea Powder, simply add one tablespoon of Essiac powder to one litre of water. Allow the water to boil for one minute then cool the mixture. You can store the tea blend in a glass bottle in the fridge.

Alternatively, Bondi Beach Tea Essiac Ojibwa Tea Bags are best steeped in 250ml of hot water for three to five minutes, depending on the desired strength.

Like any herbal tea blend, Essiac tea does react differently with individuals. We recommend you check with your health practitioner before consuming Essiac tea you have any current ailments or medical conditions. It is important to note due to constituents that might increase blood flow to the pelvic region and stimulate menses, this tea is not suitable for consumption by pregnant women or those trying to conceive.

For a complete range of health-promoting herbal tea blends, check out our full range of Bondi Beach Tea Co. tea blends. From green tea to breakfast blends, sleep tea, complexion tea and all that in between, we have a tea blend perfect for every occasion.

Our teas are all-natural and are made just the way nature intended. No nasty additives or laxatives. For more detail on our full range of teas, including our new release Essiac teas – shop online here!

Sources:

1.  Cancer Institute: Essiac/Flor Essence – Patient Version Q&A

2. Natural Holistic Health: The Health Benefits of Essiac Tea

3,5,6. Dr Axe: Essiac Tea Fights Cancer and Inflammation

4. NCBI: In vitro analysis of the herbal compound Essiac