Four Herb vs Eight Herb Essiac Tea: What’s the Difference?

Learn the differences between four-herb and eight-herb Essiac tea formulas, including how the blend evolved and what ingredients are included. This page explains key distinctions so you can better understand how to compare Essiac products.

The 4 herb formula is the first version of Essiac. However, Rene Caisse later developed an eight herb formula.

8 Herb Essiac is the Most Up-to-Date Essiac Tea Formula Available 

• Historically, Rene Caisse believed, based upon her research, that the eight herb formula outperformed four herb blends.
  
• This research is available in the book The Essiac Report by Richard Thomas. You can read this book for free right on our website. The research occured at the Brusch Medical Research Center in Cambridge MA, which was located 30 miles from where our headquarters are today.
• This eight herb formula is the formula that has been used since the late 60s. It was developed at the conclusion of the research from the years of 1959-1967. So, of course you would want the most up-to-date Essiac tea formula available - and not the original formula.
• You can see some more current research on 8 herb Essiac here: Preclinical study of genuine essiac formula: A cancer treatment eight-herbs' tea minimizes DNA insult of X-rays

 

 

8 Herb Essiac Contains the Original 4 Herbs Plus 4 More as Determined by Rene Caisse and Dr. Charles Brusch

• This updated Rene Caisse formula includes the original four herbs in the exact same ratios as before, but with four more herbs added to the blend that Rene Caisse and Dr. Charles Brusch chose specifically with the goal of enhancing the benefits of the original four.
  
  

• Historically, some companies have warned consumers that if a product does not carry a particular trademark, they are not getting the “original.” This type of messaging can create the impression that choosing a non-trademarked version is somehow problematic or that a trademark establishes the superiority of a particular formula. A trademark, however, identifies a brand; it does not by itself determine the quality or optimal composition of a formula.

• We clearly distinguish between the four-herb Essiac formula and the expanded eight-herb formula we offer. According to the historical account presented in The Essiac Report, René Caisse continued her work with the formula and added four additional herbs, which she believed improved its potency. Our eight-herb blend is based on this expanded formulation.

• Rather than suggesting that consumers should choose a product simply because it carries a particular trademark, we believe they should be able to understand what is actually in the formula. That is why we clearly disclose all eight herbs in our blend and explain the historical basis for the expanded formula, allowing consumers to make their own informed choice.

The newer Rene Caisse formula was put into use in 1967

• Because of the addition of the four herbs, it had a higher serving size of 3 oz. instead of 2 oz.
• That way, the original four herbs are still being given in the same amount - just with the four additional herbs added on top. So you're not losing out on anything by using eight herb Genuine Essiac™! Essentially, there is no detriment in choosing the eight herb formula because it already has within it's composition the first four herbs.
  
• 📺 Watch this documentary about Rene Caisse's research showing the 8 herb formula is superior.

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Many of the 4 herb Essiac companies don't want you to know that there is a new and improved formula, and they often use fear mongering tactics to make you think the "original" 4 herb Essiac is better. Please don't fall for it.

 

 

See the Man Who Researched Essiac Tea Alongside Rene Caisse and Dr. Charles Brusch

Hear directly from Dr. Charles Brusch on the effectiveness of Essiac and the safety of eight herb Essiac by watching this video. Dr. Brusch passed this most up-to-date Rene Caisse formula on to our family. You can see that document here.

 

 

 

In the research at the Brusch Medical Research Center, it was also determined that powdered herbs worked far better than whole herbs

• Because of that, you will see that our formula always comes in powdered herbs, the same ones that Rene Caisse used herself.
• You can see Rene Caisse preparing powdered herbs herself in this video. 
• Once again, powdered herbs cost more which is why not all companies selling Essiac offer them. Buyer beware!

 

What Sets 8 Herb Genuine Essiac Apart

Our company is the only one that stands behind its Essiac with a 6-Month Money-Back Guarantee. If you are not satisfied by the six month mark, you don't pay! This is something that none of the 4 herb companies can offer. And it's because they know they can't stand behind their product like we can. We also offer a Price Match Guarantee to ensure you're getting the best deal on Essiac every time.

Now, next time someone tries to debate you on 4 herb vs. 8 herb Essiac, you can arm them with the facts. In summary:

• Rene Caisse stopped using the 4 herb formula after her research came back on Essiac tea that she conducted with Dr. Charles Brusch at the Brusch Medical Center from 1959 through 1967. 
• The additional 4 herbs that make up the 8 herb formula are designed to enhance the potency of the original 4.
• The 4 herb formula has a serving size of 2 oz. while the 8 herb formula has a serving size of 3 oz. The extra ounce accounts for the additional 4 herbs without disrupting the ratio of the original 4, just like Rene Caisse did.
• Those in-the-know always scan the ingredient list of Essiac tea and make sure the blend contains 8 herbs and not just 4.

 

Last updated: 08/27/2026

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✔️ Authentic 8-herb formula

✔️ Enough tea to last for months (saving you money)

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