OLD ONTARIO REMEDIES 1922: RENE CAISSE ESSIAC SHEILA SNOW EXPLORES THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE FAMOUS CANCER FORMULA, 'ESSIAC' Controversy and intrigue still continue to shroud Essiac, striking a chord of anxiety in the hearts of the seriously ill who have staked their lives and expectations on the promise of its healing properties. Yet its clandestine quality gave the remedy its power. Had its secrets been revealed early in its long history, would it have made such an impact on the lives of many Canadians? For those new to the story of Essiac, here is a brief summary to date. Rene Caisse was a Canadian nurse who was borm in Bracebridge, Ontario, in 1888. While working in a norhtern Ontario hospital in 1922, she noticed the scarred but healed breast of an elderly patient and questioned her about it. Some years earlier a Toronto doctor had diagnosed the breast to be malignant and a mastectomy was rec- ommended. Instead, the woman accepted the offer of a herbal tea prepared by an Indian neighbour believed to be of the Ojibwa tribe, also known as Chippewa- The nurse asked for and received the Indian herbal remedy which she later modified. That professional curiosity began a quest that was to last until her death at the age of ninety in December, 1978. Her life became one of turmoil and frustration, joy and high hopes followed by bitter disillusionment, much adulation and reverence by patients who recovered, and endless questioning by sceptics and some members of the medical profession. When Rene's aunt, after using her remedy for two years, fully recovered from an inoperable stomch cancer with liver involvement two years later with her remedy and other terminal patients also began to improve, physicians put their signatures on two petitions (1926 and 1936) requesting that Nurse Caisse, be given the opportunity to treat cancer cases in a larger way. Both were tumed down by Ottawa's De- partment of Health and Welfare. But word of Essiac's medicinal virtues kept spreading. Dr. Frederick Benting, hailed as the discoverer of insulin, offered her access to is laboratories at the Universitv of Toronto for animal studies if she would temporarily give up her practice at the Bracebridge clinic. She rejected his offer because the lives of her patients depended on Essiac. Even the Ontario government became involved in 1938 when a bill was introduced to legalize Essiac as a remedy to treat terminal cancer patients, but in a close decision the legislature turned it down by three votes. Today the spirit of this magnanimous lady still lives on with many questions left unanswered about the recipe she perfected and called 'Essiac' , simply by reversing her maiden name 'Caisse'. THE SECRET FORMULA Rene never wanted the general public to know what ingredients were in the formula or how to prepare it. Her main concerns were that they would make it incorrectly and that exploiters, once apprised of the herbs in it, would put out specious facsimiles that lacked the healing properties of Essiac. She feared that the very simplicity of the remedy would cause many persons to question its ability to alleviate or cure such a formidable disease. Perhaps this is why she was persuaded to hand over her beloved Essiac to the Resperin Corporation in 1977 for the sum of $1.00. This group, which includes several physicians on its board of directors, may have been her last hope of convincing the Canadian government to set up trial studies on terminal cancer patients across the country. The studies would be properly documented with authentic diagnoses as well as detailed reports about the progress of the patients. Her dream of having Essiac recognized as a legitimate cancer therapy would then be fulfilled, while proof of its efficacy would permit the Resperin group to successfully market it. Unfortunately, this has not yet occurred. Cancer patients may still obtain the decoction from Resprerin's Dr. Hugh Wilson who lives in Orillia, Ontario, by having their doctors submit written requests through Health and Welfare Canada. However, during the years since Rene's passing, some doctors have failed to turn over their patients reports so Resperin has fallen behind in keeping up with its records. Only word-of-mouth accounts and hearsay evidence portray improvement and some recoveries, while a number of dying patients spoke of reduced pain with little or no need of pain-killers, a sense of peace and a clear mind. Thus belief in Essiac remains alive. Soon after Rene's death a new product emerged on Essiac scene called 'Easy-Ac' , a decoction made by Gilbert Elondin of Hull, Quebec. In 1977 he watched his wife, mother of three young children, recover from a lymphosarcorma three months after she began taking Essiac directly from the nurse. Today she is still free of cancer and her family devoutly believes in the remedy. When Rene refused any offer of financial remuneration from Gilbert, he returned to paint her living quarters and do some necessary repairs on the house which had been neglected because of her more pressing preoccupation with patients. Few if any people had ever offered help of this kind and the nurse was touched hi generosity. A bond of trust formed between them and some believe she may have taught him how to prepare the recipe for his wife in order to forgo the extensive travelling to Bracebridge every second weekend. THE COURT CASE As word spread of his wife's recovery, people came to Gilbert for help, and when demand for his product increased, he quit his trade to work full time making the decoction. In due course he filed dutifully for a Drug Identification Number (D.I.N.) from Health and Welfare Canada but was told that since Easy-Ac was considered to be a food, there would be no need of a D. I. N. In 1988, however, health inspectors closed down his small operation and filed a suit against his company for advertising Easy-Ac as a cancer remedy and for failing to obtain a D.I.N. Apparently the health department felt that if it cured anything, it should be labelled a drug. After two years in court, Easy-Ac was considered by thejudge to be a food, and some slight charges and small fines were assessed. While this court case was going on, something else was also taking place that was to make Essiac a household word again in both the United States and Canada. In 1988 Dr. Gary L. Glum, a chiropractor in Los Angeles, Califomia, rekindled interest by publishing a book titled, 'Calling of an Angel', termed "the true story of Rene Caissc and an Indian herbal medicine called Essiac. " It updated the article published by Toronto's Homemaker Magazine in 1977 'Could Essiac Halt Cancer?' 'Throughout his work Dr. Glum asserts the authenticity of the formula and in a special video details what he claims to be the Essiac recipe. >From the large amount this dried herbal mixture produces, we believe it is the recipe Rene used in, the 1930's when she prepared the remedy in her Bracebridge clinic for hundreds of patients and quite conceivably the one passed along to the Resperin corporation for its clinical studies. We owe a large debt of gratitude to Dr. Glum for having the courage to take on this enormous responsibility -no small task!-at great personal financial expense, time and energy. It would be impossible for anyone bent upon revealing the Essiac recipe to imagine beforehand just what kind of reactions it might stir up. Presenting it to the world at long last has been like opening 'Pandora's Box'. Whether it will be a blessing or a curse remains to be seen. DR. GLUM'S RECIPE The four main components of Dr. Glum's recipe are: 1) 1 lb. (16 oz. by scale weight) of powdered Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella). This is a wild perenial miniature of garden sorrel. It must be green in colour and have an aroma of sweet grass. 2) 6 1/2 cups (52 oz. in a kitchen measuring cup) of cut Burdock Root (Arctium lappa). This should weigh about 1 1/2 lbs. if it is quality material gathered from the first year roots of this biennial. Fresh burdock toot has a distinct aroma. 3) 1/2 cup (4 oz. by scale weight) of the Slippery Elm inner bark (Ulmus fulva), also in powdered form. It is best to purchase this because the novice could kill a tree by stripping off bark carelessly in the spring. Sometimes the commercial product is adulterated with inferior flour or other starchy substances which create a gravy-like decoction, so beware. The powder should be light beige. 4) 1 oz. of Turkey Rhubarb Root (Rheum palmatum). This must be purchased because its natural habitat is in China and Tibet. Rene preferred this variety to the common rhubarb because its medicinal properties were stronger and the taste less bitter. It is yellowish-brown in colour. QUESTIONS ABOUT ESSIAC Numerous interpretations of this recipe being passed around are raising rumours, doubts, and questions which always seem to surface when anything unorthodox is introduced. I will try to clear up some of these with the following questions and answers, but do so with considerable trepidation as, no doubt, my answers will spark even more questions. Q: How can we be sure that Dr. Glum's recipe is the correct one? A: The four herbs in Dr. Glum's recipe are also present in Essiac. Rene often emphasized in the 1970's that only four herbs were being used and this today is still the decoction that continues to help people. Rene's motto, which her patients firmly believe in, was, "If it works, don't change it." Q: How much Essiac can be made out of the entire dried mixture? A: Remember, as stated before, this amount was for a large-scale production to treat hundreds of patients in a short period of time. One might want to experiment by with one quarter of this recipe. Once the herbs are mixed well, the kitchen measuring cup can be used to find out just how many eight-ounce cupfuls are in the mixture. Each decoction makes up at least twelve 16-oz. bottles of Essiac. One quarter of the dried recipe should provide an eighteen month supply for one person if he were to take one ounce of Essiac every single night. Powdered herbs tend to lose their medicinal properties faster than cut or whole plants so it is wise to replenish your stock every year when possible. Q: Do we weigh the eight ounces of dried mixed herbs on a scale? A: No. Rene only used a kitchen measuring cup and filled it up to eight ounce line. If this amount were measured on the scale the decoction would be much stronger. Q: Is the herb being sold today as Sheep's Sorrel a substitute? A. The samples I have received from many outlets in Ontario and the United States appear to be an inferior quality of an undetermined herb which may or may not be related to the Sorrel family. Since this is the primary herb in Essiac, one must become thoroughly acquainted with its appearance, aroma and taste. Q: Are Dr. Glum's directions for taking Essiac correct? A: Dr. Glum obtained his directions from a physician who treated patients with Essiac under close supervision, so the dose is stronger than the one Rene recommended. Here are her instructions: 1) Take one ounce of Essiac with two ounces of hot water every second day at bedtime, on an empty stomach two or three hours after supper. 2) Do not eat or drink anything for at least one hour after taking Essiac. 3) Continue the treatment every other day for thirty-two days, then take the treatment every three days. 4) Always keep Essiac refrigerated but never in the freezer. For the novice this is a trial and error experience; nobody becomes a cook overnight. It should not be attempted when a life-threatening situation is involved because the desperate run to any available source for herbs they may know nothing about. The complete mixture is sold in many stores but how can one tell if the powdered herbs are correct and of good quality, or how old they are or if the amounts of each are accurate? Why waste precious energy, time, money and even the mixture itself if it proves to be inferior? The routine for making the recipe may be simplified with practice. Understand that no two decoctions are exactly alike as any chemist will confirm. Don't be concerned about the number of bottles you get out of each decoction because various things affect the amount of liquid that will be absorbed by the herbs. Rene used one quart (32 oz.) of local spring water. (Never use treated tap water!) for one ounce of mixed herbs (measured in the kitchen cup, remember?) Once people are comfortable about cooking this brew, they may want to harvest the Sheep Sorrel plant and Burdock Root. MANY BELIEVE ESSIAC HAS HELPED THEM Essiac is not a hoax or a fraud. To hear experiences described by the patients themselves cannot help but convince observers that dramatic and beneficial changes definitely took place in many but not all of those who received the remedy. Although the focus on Essiac has been as a cancer treatment, it alleviated and sometimes cured many chronic and degenerative conditions because it cleanses the blood as well as the liver and strengthens the immune system. It will continue to remain controversial until opened-minded an dedicated scientists and even lay researchers unveil and explore the unknow essences that create Essiac's healing magic. ABOUT SHEILA SNOW Sheila Snow has devoted much of her life to an investigation of the Essiac formula. Recently she was invited by the Consumer Health Organization of Can- ada to address its annual convention in Toronto on this topic. She has now pre- pared a small book for the layperson: The Essence of Essiace. Publication is expected later this year. CLOSE-UP ON THE ESSIAC CONSTITUENTS Of the four plants which were purportedly suggested by the Ojibwa Indians to Rene Caisse, only two, Arctium lappa and Ulmus_fulva have any recorded use by the Native people anywhere in North America. In fact, they are the only two indigenous plants. Rene must have added Rumex acetosella and Rhewn palmatum on her own initiative. Arctium lappa has a well established tradition on many continents for use as a depurative or 'bloodcleanser'. Mills calls it 'a general alterative remedy appearing to exert a cleansing effect on the tissues as such' and being a 'diuretic and mild laxative'. In moderm herbal practice, it is used primarily as a dermatological remedy, said to 'move the body towards a state of integration and health, removing such indicators of systemic imbalance as skin problems and dandruff. (Hoffman) A poultice is also applied to wounds and ulcers. But because of its action as a bitter, there is certainly stimulation of the digestive system and of the liver. James Duke records Shemluck's contention that the Chippewa used the root of Arctium as a, 'blood medicine' and Virgil Vogel notes that the Ojibwa used the root as an anodyne, stomachic and tonic. The native use of Ulmus fulva as a poultice for hard tumours and swellings was observed by Samuel Stearns and recorded by Virgil Vogel.(2) There is also some mention of its use in spitting blood from the lungs. This is, of course, a sign of one form of cancer. However, according to the BHP, Ulmus is a demulcent, emollient, nutritive and antitussive and although it is specifically indicated for gastric and duodenal ulcers because of these soothing qualities, one can see little reason to assume that it would have much more than an palliative action in a cancerous state. Rumex acetosema is a European alien 'traditionally used for fevers, scurvy and inflamaution. The fresh leaves poulticed (after roasting) were used for tumors, -and wens (sabacious cysts). The leaf tea was considered a folk remedy for cancer, according to Duke. 3 There is, however, no modern scientific evidence of this and its use by modern herbal medicine is virtually unknown. Due to its high oxalic acid con- tent, this species should be avoided if one is suffering from arthritis or kidney disease. (McIntyre) Rheum palmatum Radix contains anthraquinone glycosides and sennosides which act as laxatives and, in larger doses, purgatives. In China, Rhubarb is an important ingredient in many prescriptions to treat high fevers. According to McIntyre, it should be avoided by persons suffering from arthritis, kidney disease or urinary problems and during pregnancy. It is likely to be of benefit for someone suffering from constipation, which is a common complaint among cancer patients. Given these actions, it is not impossible to accept that such a combination might have some benefit for some people suffering from some types of cancer. And there is certainly little reason to believe that, if taken according to the originator's instructions, there is much possibility of harm or injury resulting. TREATING THE WHOLE PERSON However, any 'formula' for cancer makes a mockery of modern scientific phytotherapy. Research has moved forward a long way since Bracebridge,,e in 1922. We now know that cancer patients, even if taking chemotherapy or radiotherapy, can benefit enormously from herbal treatment. There are many more efficient herbs to help the liver cast off accumulated toxins. We now know of plants capable of boosting the immune system, plants which have been shown to inhibit metastases, plants which have an anti-tumoral effect and still other plants which work directly as cleansers for the lymphatic system. The danger of limiting oneself to a single 'formula' to treat cancer is this: there are many forms of cancer and they affect 'the body and its systems in many different ways. By receiving personal attention from a trained professional herbalist, there is a much greater probability that appropriate herbs can be chosen which are especially suited to the particular sufferer. Moreover, the wholis- tic herbalist is committed to looking beneath the symptoms, to correcting the faulty or destructive diet or lifestyle which underlies the body's final protest, to working with the patient in all aspects of his mental and spiritual struggle: in short, to treat the person as a whole, not the disease entity. Because of our obsession with a formula, we may well have overlooked this aspect of Rene Caisse's work. K.S. REFERENCES I Snow, Sheila. 'Could Essiac Halt Cancer'. [Ed.] 2 Vogel, Virgil J. American Indian Medicine. New York: Ballantine Books, 1973 by arrangement with the University of Oklahoma press. 3 Duke, James A., & Foster, Steven. Easter-nlCentral Medicinal Plants. The Peterson Field Guide Series. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1990. 0 M, y .-aw z HOLISTIC SIUCVMB 5/18/93 'Lea Vetter Multiple recipients 5/18/93 Enclosure file: ESSIAC.TXT From: MX%"HERB%TREARN.BITNET@vm.gmd.de" 22-APR-1994 08:32:40.31 To: MX%"HERB%TREARN.BITNET@vm.gmd.de" CC: Subj: possible sources for essiac tea Return-Path: <@vm.gmd.de:owner-herb@VM3090.EGE.EDU.TR> Received: from vm.gmd.de by Erich.Triumf.CA (MX V4.0-1 VAX) with SMTP; Fri, 22 Apr 1994 07:54:36 PST Received: from VM.GMD.DE by vm.gmd.de (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 8817; Fri, 22 Apr 94 12:02:27 +0200 Received: from VM.GMD.DE (NJE origin LISTSERV@DEARN) by VM.GMD.DE (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 3440; Fri, 22 Apr 1994 12:02:28 +0200 Date: Wed, 20 Apr 1994 05:52:36 -0800 Reply-To: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list\"." Sender: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list\"." From: Bonnie Williamson Subject: possible sources for essiac tea Comments: To: holistic%siccvmb.litnet@siucvmb.bitnet, herb@vm3090.ege.edu.tr To: Multiple recipients of list HERB I hope this is helpful ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ********************************************************************** * Bonnie Williamson E-Mail b_willia@lifesci.lscf.ucsb.edu * * Marine Science Institute * * University of California Office Phone (805) 893-2051 * * Santa Barbara, CA 93106 FAX (805) 893-3777 * ********************************************************************** I got this info from misc.health.alternative possible sources for essiac and detailed recipe and instructions for use >From misc.health.alternative Thu Apr 21 From: delisle@eskimo.com (Ben Delisle) Subject: Re: essiac? Well, There is a product that you can get called 'Flor-Essence' herbal tea blend, which is Essiac. It is made in Canada and imported into Washington State (United States) by Flora Inc, Lynden, Washington 98264. I am looking at a bottle of a prepared product as I type. I have seen an Essiac Newsletter arround here too. I have a file on it as well (a magazine article and the first chapter of a book called 'Calling of an Angel' By Dr. Gary Glum.) >From misc.health.alternative Thu Apr 21 Subject: RE: Cancer (ESSIAC TEA) Below is a Recipe for Essiac Tea. This is a tea that has shown to do wonders for cancer patients. The recipe is from the interview with Dr. Gary L. Glum. If you are interested in getting the entire article finger me at STEPHENSC@128.172.69.253 or you can do a veronica search in Gopher for it. Also [flame shield on] if you wish to purchase rather than concoct, this product can be ordered in the US & Canada from Enrich International as Native Legend Tea. If you are interested send me email at STEPHENC@PCMAIL.CBIL.VCU.EDU. [flame shield off] ESSIAC Supplies Needed ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4 or 5 gallon stainless steel pot 2 gallon stainless steel pot, with lid Stainless steel fine-mesh double strainer Stainless steel funnel Stainless steel spatula 12 or more 16 ounce amber glass bottles with air tight caps (not childproof caps) 2 gallons of sodium-free distilled water Essiac Formula ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6 1/2 cups burdock root - cut ( Arctium Lappa ) 16 oz. sheep sorrel herb - powdered ( Rumex Acetosella ) 1 oz. turkey rhubarb root - powdered ( Rheum Palmatum ) 4 oz. Slippery elm bark - powdered ( Ulmus Fulva ) Preparation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Mix Essiac formula thoroughly. 2. Bring sodium-free distilled water to a rolling boil in a 5-gallon pot with lid on. (Approximately 30 minutes at sea level.) 3. Stir in 1 cup of Essiac formula. Replace lid and continue boiling for 10 minutes. 4. Turn off stove. Scrape down sides of pot with spatula and stir mixture thoroughly. Replace lid. 5. Allow pot to remain closed for 12 hours; then turn stove to full heat for 20 minutes. 6. Turn off stove. Strain liquid into 3-gallon pot, and clean 5-gallon pot and strainer. Then Strain filtered liquid back into 5-gallon pot. 7. Use funnel to pour hot liquid into bottles immediately, taking care to tighten caps. Allow bottles to cool; then tighten the caps again. 8. Refrigerate. Essiac contains no preservative agents. If mold should develop in the bottle, discard immediately. CAUTION: All bottles and caps must be sterilized after use if you plan to re-use them for Essiac. Bottle caps must be washed and rinsed thoroughly, and may be cleaned with a 3% solution of food grade hydrogen peroxide in water. Directions for use ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Heat four tablespoons [ 2 oz. ] sodium-free distilled water in a stainless steel pot. Add 4 tablespoons of Essiac ( shake bottle first). Mix and drink. Take at bedtime on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after eating. Chris Stephens........... **************************** End ESSIAC Document ****************************