Learn All About the 8 Essiac Tea Ingredients That Make Up the Genuine Essiac Tea Formula

Blessed thistle has a long history in culinary and herbal traditions and has been discussed historically in connection with digestion. In traditional herbal texts it has sometimes been referenced in relation to digestive discomfort.

Burdock root has a long history in culinary and herbal traditions and has been discussed historically in connection with digestion and fluid balance. In traditional herbal preparations it has sometimes been associated with swelling and fever in historical texts. The root contains naturally occurring plant fibers and other plant compounds that have attracted scientific interest. Researchers have studied burdock root in laboratory settings to better understand these compounds, including naturally occurring antioxidants. Antioxidants are plant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress, and burdock root continues to be studied as part of broader research into botanical ingredients.1

Kelp is a sea vegetable that is naturally rich in minerals, including iodine. Iodine is a nutrient the body uses in the normal production of thyroid hormones, which play a role in regulating metabolism. Kelp has long been used as a food in coastal cultures around the world and is valued for its naturally occurring nutrients. It also contains plant compounds and antioxidants that have attracted scientific interest.

There are many myths and misconceptions about this herb. 🌸 Red clover contains naturally occurring plant compounds called isoflavones, including genistein and formononetin. These compounds have attracted scientific interest, and researchers have studied them in laboratory and academic settings to better understand their biological properties. Some studies have examined how these compounds interact with cellular processes in experimental environments. Research into plant compounds such as those found in red clover continues as scientists explore the roles these substances may play in plant chemistry and nutrition. You can read more about these compounds and the research surrounding them here. 2

Sheep sorrel, including the root, is one of the herbs traditionally used in Essiac tea. The plant naturally contains minerals such as potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus, as well as plant nutrients like beta carotene and vitamin C. Sheep sorrel has a long history in traditional herbal preparations and continues to attract interest among those studying botanical ingredients. Little known fact: Our formula includes sheep sorrel with the root, which is not always included in other Essiac blends. 3

Slippery elm bark contains naturally occurring mucilage, a plant fiber that forms a gel-like texture when mixed with water. Because of this property, it has long been included in various traditional herbal preparations. Researchers have studied slippery elm and its plant compounds in academic settings to better understand their characteristics. In our powdered formula, the bark is what gives Essiac tea its slightly thicker, richer texture when brewed.4

Turkish rhubarb root has been discussed historically in herbal traditions and has long been valued as a botanical ingredient in traditional preparations. The root contains naturally occurring plant compounds, including anthraquinones and antioxidants, which have attracted scientific interest. Antioxidants are plant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress. Researchers have studied rhubarb root and its naturally occurring compounds in laboratory and academic settings to better understand their characteristics. In traditional herbal preparations, rhubarb root has been included in blends that support the body’s normal digestive processes. Today, scientists continue to explore how compounds found in rhubarb root interact with biological systems, including emerging research related to gut microbiota. 5

Watercress is a leafy aquatic plant that has long been used as a culinary vegetable and is commonly included in salads and other dishes. It naturally contains plant compounds known as glucosinolates, which can convert into related compounds called isothiocyanates when the plant is prepared or consumed. Researchers have studied these naturally occurring compounds in laboratory and academic settings to better understand their characteristics and biological activity. Watercress also contains a variety of naturally occurring plant compounds that continue to attract scientific interest. Fun fact: Watercress has been enjoyed as a food for centuries and is a common ingredient in salads around the world.📕 Read more about what Watercress is useful for here. 6

Yes! Our herbs are incredibly fresh because we sell thousands of pounds of Essiac herbs each month. We turn over the majority of our herb inventory every 4 weeks. Many customers have commented on how fresh the herbs look, smell and taste. If you purchase Essiac from an outlet that sells more than one herbal formula, you're more likely to receive stale herbs. Essiac is the only product we carry, so the inventory is always up-to-date. This means, once you've purchased them, they still keep for up to 2 years. Read more about our herb quality here.

All of our herbs come from the U.S. because this allows us to deliver the most consistent, effective and affordable product that undergoes rigorous quality testing. Currently 7 of our 8 herbs come from an herb company called "Starwest Botanicals" located in California. They have the most stringent testing standards in the country. The 8th herb is grown by a private grower because we were not able to get the sheep sorrel containing the roots from Starwest. Read more about our herbs.

Powdered herbs are more expensive for us to use than whole herbs, but the extra cost we bear is well worth it. This is because powdered herbs make for a more potent brew. With powdered (pulverized) herbs, there is more surface area on the herbs for the extracts to seep into the tea. Anything in powdered form mixes easier and more thoroughly.

Furthermore, powdered herbs are pulverized to a fine enough level that they can remain in the tea and be consumed along with the tea. It is preferred that you consume the herb particles in addition to the tea, as the herbs might contain beneficial compounds. This is a similar argument to those who tell you to eat the whole fruit versus only drinking the juice or taking a vitamin pill. By consuming the herbs along with the tea, you won't miss out on any of the important chemical compounds that are part of whole foods. Read more about powdered herbs and their benefits. Click here to watch a video about why putting Essiac in tea bags is so much less effective.

Eight herb Essiac has a slightly bitter, grassy taste. If it's not slightly bitter, be warned that it's not real Essiac! The watercress is the main culprit for this. Some Essiac blends don't include watercress, but Rene Caisse demonstrated that particular herb is crucial to the formula. Some companies leave it out to make it taste better. It's a huge mistake!

Most people get accustomed to the taste after a couple of weeks of taking Essiac Tea. Since you will generally only be taking 3 oz. at a time, it should not be a problem to drink that small amount even if you don't enjoy the taste. Essiac Tea isn't meant to be sipped and savored for pleasure. It's meant to be taken cold like a shot straight from the fridge. It doesn't taste awful - but most don't find it delicious either. Personally, it reminds me of taking green tea with no sweetener. It's not a big deal.

You may add stevia, honey or any unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice to your Essiac Tea serving after it’s been brewed. You may also add extra water to reduce the thickness if you like. You can purchase Stevia by clicking here. Learn more about how you can improve the taste of Essiac here.

We sure do! Visit this page to learn our best helpful hints to new Essiac users.

It's super rare that taking this product doesn't help, but it happens. If you don't see any improvement in your health after six months of use, we refund your cost. Click here to learn more about our Industry-Exclusive Guarantee.

Our Essiac has the same eight herbs as these more expensive products. Our formula is the most effective ever found in clinical trials. It IS "the real deal." Our formula is the result of the research that Rene Caisse and Dr. Charles Brusch conducted over an eight-year period.

We are able to sell it at a lower price due to the large volume of Essiac we sell. Also, we do not maintain a physical store - only a warehouse. This saves lots of money. Finally, it is more important to us to help you with your health than it is for us to make a huge profit. Our goal is to make a living, not a fortune. Due to all these factors, we are able to keep our prices low. Learn how much to buy at once in this video.

It costs less than $1 per day to use our Essiac — the best price you'll find anywhere! Check out our Price Match Guarantee.

It's suggested to drink the Essiac straight from the fridge - cold. If you reheat it, you risk overprocessing it. If you cannot drink it cold, you may drink it left out at room temperature (but be sure to refrigerate the pitcher all the time and simply take out individual servings to leave out at room temperature when needed).

You can take 3 oz. of Essiac three times per day if you are looking to improve your health and/or if you are new to Essiac Tea. If you are new to Essiac, take 3 oz. three times per day for the first six months. If you are looking to maintain already great results or use it preventively after you have been using the tea for six months you can take 3 oz. twice per day. Click here for more info on how much Essiac to take.

We suggest taking Essiac continuously for at least six months. It's perfectly fine to stay on Essiac Tea for life with no breaks. That is what we do around here! It's a great insurance policy of sorts for your health. Watch this video to learn more about how long you should take Essiac tea.

Yes; Essiac can be taken by those who are healthy. There is no risk of overdoing it. The vitamins and minerals in the tea are all at levels that are healthy and natural for long term use. See the Essiac Tea Nutrition facts by clicking here.

Yes, any child over 18 months of age can safely drink Essiac tea. See more information about giving Essiac tea to children.

There are no side effects in the traditional sense. You might experience mild stomach/intestinal irritation if you start immediately on the aggressive level of 3 oz. three times per day. This may include loose stools or an increased frequency of stool. However, this is a good thing and not really a side effect but rather a desired effect: it's a sign of detoxification and will not harm your body as long as you're able to tolerate any discomfort.

The vast majority of people who experience this aren’t bothered by it and it doesn’t interfere at all with their day. If you are bothered by these symptoms, start with 1/2 to 1/3 of the recommended serving and ease your way into taking the full amount as tolerated. Please keep in mind that this will also mean the adjustment period will be more drawn out. In addition, please don't start "counting" your time on Essiac until you are taking the recommended amount.

You can take Essiac along with your medications. You can take them at the same time or at a different time as your tea - it's up to you. There are no medications that interfere with Essiac Tea.

1 The Antioxidant Effect of Burdock Extract on the Oxidative Stability of Lard and Goose Fat during Heat Treatment. Flavia Pop, Thomas Dippong. Foods. 2024 Jan 18;13(2):304. doi: 10.3390/foods13020304.

2 Binding of Red Clover Isoflavones to Actin as A Potential Mechanism of Anti-Metastatic Activity Restricting the Migration of Cancer Cells. Grażyna Budryn, Joanna Grzelczyk and Horacio Pérez-Sánchez Molecules 2018, 23(10), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23102471.

3 Protective Effect of Sorrel Extract on Adult Rats Treated by Carbon Tetrachloride Abdullah Glil Alkushi Pharmacognosy Res. 2017 Apr-Jun; 9(2): 200–207. doi: 10.4103/0974-8490.204653

4 Slippery Elm, its Biochemistry, and use as a Complementary and Alternative Treatment for Laryngeal Irritation. Christopher R. Watts, B. Rousseau. January 2012. Journal of Investigational Biochemistry. 1(1):17-23. DOI:10.5455/jib.20120417052415

5 A Purified Anthraquinone-Glycoside Preparation From Rhubarb Ameliorates Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Reducing Inflammation. Cui H X, Zhang L S, Luo Y, Yuan K, Huang Z Y, Guo Y. Front. Microbiol., 24 June 2019 Sec. Systems Microbiology. Volume 10 - 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01423.

6 A Narrative Review on Therapeutic Potentials of Watercress in Human Disorders. Esmaeel Panahi Kokhdan, Khodabandehloo H, Ghahremani H, Doustimotlagh AH. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021; 2021: 5516450.
Published online 2021 May 7. doi: 10.1155/2021/5516450