History of Essiac Tea: Origins, Timeline & Herbal Traditions

The history of Essiac tea goes back to the early 1900s in Canada, when a nurse named René Caisse learned about an herbal formula believed to have originated with Indigenous people. In 1922, she became interested in the formula and eventually named it Essiac, which is her last name spelled backward. In 1934, she opened a clinic in Bracebridge, Ontario, where people traveled to receive her herbal preparation. Today, Essiac tea is still used by people around the world and is available in both four-herb and eight-herb formulas.

Where Did Essiac Tea Come From?

The story of Essiac tea begins with a woman who shared an herbal recipe with René Caisse while Caisse was working as a nurse in Ontario, Canada.

According to historical accounts, the woman had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer and told Caisse that she had used an herbal mixture given to her by an Ojibwe medicine man.

Caisse was interested in the woman's experience and wrote down the herbs she described.

Although the story has been passed down for generations, the exact origins of the formula are difficult to verify. What we do know is that this encounter helped introduce the herbal mixture that would eventually become known as Essiac.

How René Caisse Made Essiac Tea Famous

René Caisse was born in Bracebridge, Ontario, in 1888 and became a nurse as a young woman.

After learning about the herbal formula, she began taking a closer interest in the plants and their traditional uses.

In the 1920s, she started preparing the mixture for people who came to her seeking it. Word spread, and more people became interested in her work.

She named the herbal preparation Essiac by spelling her last name, Caisse, backward.

As interest grew, her work attracted attention from both the public and medical authorities.

The Essiac Clinic in Bracebridge, Ontario

In 1934, Caisse opened a clinic in her hometown of Bracebridge, Ontario.

People traveled from different parts of Canada and beyond to visit her. She did not charge for the herbal preparation, although she accepted donations to help cover expenses.

Her clinic became well known, but it also attracted controversy.

In 1938, Canadian authorities investigated her work and reviewed accounts from people who had visited the clinic. The commission concluded that the evidence available was not sufficient to establish Essiac as an effective cancer treatment.

Caisse closed her clinic in 1942 but continued providing her herbal preparation privately for many years.

Her dedication to Essiac became an important part of its history, and her name remains closely associated with the tea today.

How Essiac Tea Changed Over the Years

Essiac did not remain exactly the same throughout its history.

Over the years, Caisse worked with different people who were interested in studying the herbal mixture, including American physician Dr. Charles Brusch.

Their collaboration began in 1959 and continued through 1967 It was during this period that an eight-herb formulation associated with their work was developed. You can read more about this work in the book The Essiac Report by Richard Thomas.

In 1977, Caisse provided a four-herb recipe to a Canadian company called Resperin Corporation.

She passed away in 1978 at the age of 90, but interest in Essiac continued.

After her death, different companies began offering Essiac-related herbal products, and both four-herb and eight-herb versions became available.

Why Are There Four-Herb and Eight-Herb Essiac Formulas?

One of the most common questions about Essiac tea is why some products contain four herbs while others contain eight.

The first-version four-herb formula contains:

• Burdock root
• Sheep sorrel
• Slippery elm inner bark
• Turkey rhubarb root

Eight-herb formulas contain additional botanicals, although the ingredients can vary depending on the manufacturer. Look for brands that offer proof of authenticity as having connection to the research.

Today, both versions remain part of the Essiac tea tradition. Four herb Essiac is widely available. Genuine Essiac is an 8 herb blend that offers a money back satisfaction guarantee.

Essiac Tea After René Caisse

After Caisse's death, interest in Essiac continued to grow.

Books, articles, and personal accounts introduced the tea to people outside Canada. Herbal companies began producing different versions, making Essiac more widely available.

Researchers also began examining Essiac and its individual ingredients in laboratory studies. You can read more about the research on the Essiac herbs.

Although some laboratory findings have generated interest, these results do not establish that Essiac can prevent, treat, or cure disease in people.

Essiac Tea Today

More than 100 years after René Caisse first learned about the herbal mixture, Essiac tea continues to attract interest around the world.

Today, you can find Essiac in several forms, including loose herbs, powdered blends, capsules, and prepared liquids. There are some concerns with consuming Essiac in capsule form because the extraction process differs and the amount of fiber present in the drink differs as well. You can learn more about the potential pitfalls of Essiac capsules.

At Genuine Essiac™, we've been providing our eight-herb powdered tea blend for more than 21 years. We focus on sourcing quality ingredients, maintaining consistent preparation standards, and making it easy for customers to prepare their tea at home. Learn More about our herbs.

Although Essiac has changed in many ways over the years, its history remains an important part of the herbal tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions About the History of Essiac Tea

 

This article is for historical and educational purposes only.

References

1. National Cancer Institute – Essiac/Flor Essence (PDQ®)
2. René Caisse – Historical Timeline of Essiac

Last updated: 11/12/2026

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