In the 1920s, a Canadian nurse by the name of Rene Caisse developed a unique herbal tea that had powerful healing properties. This tea, which has been used to treat a variety of different health conditions ranging from cysts and tumors to fibromyalgia, is known as Essiac tea. Interestingly, the tea’s name is derived from the name of its creator – “Essiac” is the backward spelling of “Caisse”, the nurse’s last name.
Using Herbal Tea To Treat Disease
There are a lot of people out there who are skeptical about the idea that herbal tea could be used to treat serious diseases. After all, this tea is made from little more than water and naturally occurring plants. Many people only find their way to Essiac tea after they have exhausted all other treatment options in the field of modern medicine.
When you really think about it, however, using tea to heal the body makes sense. Plants are made up of a variety of chemical compounds – just like the modern-day drugs that doctors prescribe. The primary difference is that the chemicals in plants occur naturally whereas the chemicals in drugs are often produced synthetically. If you have any doubts about the power of plant-based chemicals, all that you have to do is think about plants like hemlock. The chemicals in these plants are strong enough that they can actually kill a person. If plants have the power to kill, doesn’t it makes sense that they would also have the power to heal?
A Closer Look At The Herbs That Make up Essiac Tea
There are four basic herbs that go into organic Essiac tea. These herbs include slippery elm bark, turkey rhubarb, sheep sorrel, and burdock root.
Sheep Sorrel
Commonly viewed as a weed, sheep sorrell actually has powerful healing properties. Throughout history, it has been used to treat many different conditions ranging from diarrhea and inflammation to vitamin C deficiency and cancer. When applied topically to the skin, it can also help control problems with skin conditions like rashes or eczema.
Burdock Root
In some parts of the world, burdock root is consumed as food. It is best known for its ability to purify the blood, although it has also been used to treat many other conditions. For instance, natural healing practitioners often use burdock root to treat acne, edema, fibroids, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and congestion of the body’s lymphatic system. Used topically, it has healing properties that can soothe and heal the skin after being burned or exposed to poison ivy. Typically, the best healing results take place when it is consumed over a long period of time.
Turkey Rhubarb
Out of all of the herbs that make up Essiac tea, turkey rhubarb is present in the lowest amount. Its laxative properties are used to treat digestive problems such as constipation. It also can be effective at getting rid of parasites or cleansing the bowels. It has a bitter taste, largely due to the tannins that it contains. It is also astringent in nature. It is sometimes applied directly to the skin to treat a variety of different skin conditions.
Slippery Elm Bark
Derived from the bark of the slippery elm tree, this herb has traditionally been used for treating internal ailments such as ulcers, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and gastritis. It also can help soothe a sore throat. Used on the skin, it can speed up wound healing and can be effective in treating burns. Slippery elm gets its name thanks to its mucilage properties when it is mixed together with water. The slippery nature of the bark makes it ideal for soothing internal conditions that affect the throat and the digestive tract.
Where To Purchase Essiac Tea
The easiest way to find Essiac tea is by purchasing it on the Internet. You can also check with stores in your area that specialize in health food. Wherever you buy it from, make sure that the tea is made by a well-respected manufacturer and that it only contains ingredients that have been organically grown.
In terms of the tea itself, you can purchase it in a variety of different forms. It is available as loose leaf tea, capsules, or tea bags, depending on how you want to consume it. For a convenient option, you can also find it already brewed and bottled.
The easiest way to consume the tea is by buying a pre-made blend. If you prefer, however, you can also purchase each of the herbs separately and combine them into your own customized blend. That way, you can control the strength of each item in the tea. It is also usually less costly to make your own.
Capsules are a convenient way to take the tea. However, they may not be the best option if you really want to reap the benefits of the herbs. When the tea is prepared, it is steeped for hours after the initial boiling. This helps draw out the healing elements of the herbs. The tea that is contained in the capsules is not boiled. Therefore, it may not be as effective at treating certain types of health conditions. That is why most natural healers recommend drinking the tea rather than taking it in capsule form.
If cost isn’t an issue for you, Essiac tea that has already been bottled may be a good choice. Keep in mind, however, that it is quite a bit more expensive than brewing the tea yourself. Additionally, you also have less control over the strength of the tea and the ingredients that it contains.
