Essiac Side Effects

Essiac, the touted cure for cancer is a herbal tea comprising a mixture of roots such as burdock root, slippery elm, sheep sorrel and Indian rhubard root. Today essiac tea also contains watercress red clover, blessed thistle, etc. However, the common ingredients are the above four. Originally produced by a Canadian nurse, Renee Caisse, this tea is believed to strengthen the immune system, reduce tumor size, purify the blood, detoxify the body, stimulate cell repair, restore energy levels, etc. The herb mixture is boiled to prepare a brown, tea like beverage and is taken on an empty stomach, an hour and a half before any meal and before hitting the sack at night. However, how safe is it to drink essiac tea and what about its side effects?

Essiac Tea for Cancer

Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that essiac tea can cure cancer, several cancer patients who have consumed this herbal tea have shown considerable improvements in their condition. Since this tea can be safely taken during chemotherapy or radiation treatment, several people are seen to take it and benefit from it. However, since no scientific evidence has been found to validate essiac's health benefits, we cannot say that essiac tea is a cancer healing tea.

Side Effects of Essiac

Essiac tea side effects are very rarely observed. Only chronic use of essiac tea is seen to produce some essiac side effects. Let's have a look at them.

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Decreased blood sugar levels
• Frequent Urination
• Skin blemishes
• Skin inflammation
• Cough and cold
• Swollen glands
• Decreased potassium levels in the blood

Some of the other side effects are as follows:

Allergies
Like any other herbal tea, essiac tea also has some side effects. This tea is a blend of four different herbs and a person can tend to be allergic to any one of these herbs. Thus, it is important to refrain from essiac tea, if you are allergic to any one of the four herbs in the tea.

Not for Renal Failure Patients
The herbs present in essiac tea contains chemicals called oxalates, which are deleterious to the kidneys and liver. Thus, people with kidney problems and liver health conditions should refrain from consuming this tea.

Not for Pregnant Women
We do not have any specific evidences to say that essiac tea is detrimental to carrying and breastfeeding women. However, on the other hand, we also do not have any specific evidences that essiac tea is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The herbs rhubarb and burdock can conduce to uterine contraction, while the oxalic acid present in the tea can prove deleterious during pregnancy. It is also said that the slippery elm bark in the tea can result in a miscarriage. Even though we do not know how true these points are, it is better to be on the safer side and avoid taking any risks.

If you do drink essiac tea, it is important to remember to drink ample amounts of water. One should at least drink 2 liters of water a day, while drinking essiac tea. While essiac is considerably safe as the side effects are rarely seen, it is important to stop consuming this tea in case any of the above mentioned side effects of essiac tea are observed.