So, what are the actual herbs that have generated all this controversy and legal problems? The herbal ingredient reported to destroy the malignant cells of a cancerous tumour is the Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex Acetocella), a common weed of fields, lawns and meadows.
According to an interview with Dr. Glum, the Canadian government have banned it from distribution and sale. The other herbs that make up Essiac, and which are all blood-purifiers, are Burdock (Arctium lappa), Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) and Turkish Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum). The Turkish Rhubarb was added by Rene to the recipe for the remedy but you can also use ordinary Rhubarb, which is grown in gardens and allotments.
The Burdock stimulates sweating as well as having diuretic properties and containing antibiotic substances. Fortunately, all the necessary herbs for making Essiac are readily available without too much difficulty in finding them.
Sheep's Sorrel and Burdock are found growing wild and the Rhubarb and Slippery Elm are easy to get from herbal suppliers and some good health stores that stock loose herbs in bulk.
An article published by the Canadian Journal of Herbalism, entitled Old Ontario Remedies, states that "Essiac is not a hoax or a fraud."
The report added that although Essiac has been mainly known as a cancer remedy, it has also alleviated, and sometimes cured, many other chronic degenerative conditions because it purifies the blood as well as being a tonic for the liver and strengthening the immune system.
Gary Glum, echoed this, saying that Rene had discovered that it healed stomach ulcers in three or four weeks. Besides this, it was found that it helped regulate the function of the pancreas and that diabetic sufferers with diabetes mellitus became insulin-free when treated with Essiac.
Dr. Glum maintains that since he has been taking Essiac himself he has experienced "almost perfect health," and has benefited from "all sorts of energy, and no sickness, not even a common cold or flu."
Essiac, it is also said, elevates the enzyme system giving all cancer patients and all AIDS patients the enzymes that they have lost from their bodies. Essiac is believed to elevate the hormone system, which in turn elevates the immune system , and thus the body can cure itself.
Dr. Glum claims that "Even its worst enemy could never lay claim that Essiac had any deleterious effects whatever. You can take Essiac safely, through all the clinical trials that have been done, up to six ounces a day. That's two ounces in the evening, two in the morning and two around noontime. That's a high dosage. Rene had the correct herbs and she used as little as one ounce a week."
Nevertheless, a word of caution is required because there is an ongoing debate about the safety of Essiac for people who suffer with gout, arthritis and impaired kidney conditions. This is because of the high oxalic acid levels in the Sheep's Sorrel, so anyone suffering these conditions should not take it without first consulting a professional herbal practitioner.
Gary Glum informs us too that some businesses are substituting Curly Dock as an alternative for the Sheep's Sorrel so people are getting the wrong ingredients in some cases. In addition to this, there is a continuing war of dis-information and other tactics between opponents that have vested interests in the use and distribution of this incredible but controversial herbal remedy.
Dr. Glum claims that before his book was published the public had no access to the formula for Essiac preparation save for a few articles that had been written. However, the Resperin Corporation from Toronto, supposedly a private institution, who bought the formula from Rene for one dollar have researched Essiac since 1978 and went on to market it claiming that only they have the correct formula.
Glum says that Rene thought that she would be in charge of the research team and that the Resperin Corporation would get Essiac into the public sector without compromising her values. He claims that she sadly discovered that they were letting her go after they had got the formula, and that they were working hand in glove with the Canadian Ministry of Health and Welfare, who in turn work directly with the American Food and Drug Administration.
Whatever the truth of the matter is, it appears that the Resperin Corporation have taken steps to actually copyright the term Essiac, which, as I already said, is merely the reversal of Rene' surname, and that they aggressively campaigned against anyone using this name to market the herbal remedy.
It seems very sad that all this fighting and bickering is going on over something which has been shown to save lives. Dr. Glum distributes the preparation instructions away for free whilst the Resperin Corporation stand to make vast sums of money. As to what you decide about all this it is up to you.
SOURCES for this article: Robinson, Elizabeth - interviewing Dr. Gary L. Glum for Wildfire Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 1, Launert,Edmund, The Hamlyn Guide to Edible and Medicinal Plants of Britain and Northern Europe, published by Hamlyn, London, 1981, Fraser, Ivan, Article, 'Essiac- Nature's Cure For Cancer, The Truth Campaign Newsletter, Issue 1, June, 1996.
NB: Clouds Trust is a secular charitable organisation based in Hampshire, UK that continues reserach into complementary medicine, especially in relation to cancer treatment. Mali Klein, the founder of the trust, along with Shelia Snow, have written a book entitled Essiac Essentials. Sheila actually worked alongside Renee for 3 years and learned much valuable information. http://www.cloudstrust.org for further info.
Copyright © 2012 Steve Andrews. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
I am glad you like it! Thank you!
Outstanding article! Thankyou!
Cindy, thanks for explaining and I am delighted to know you and your sister already know about what I am talking about.
I meant to say in my first comment that 'my sister gets it for her from The Cloud's Trust' but see I missed out the word 'sister'. Seems it isn't just you who is trying to do too many things at once lol.
You're welcome Steve :)
Thanks, Cindy! I am trying to do too many things as usual!
Excellent article Steve. My Mum is actually on this stuff already and my gets it for her from The Cloud's Trust. They won't even charge you for it if you can't afford it, but it is always nice to give a donation if you can so that they can continue their great work.
I noticed you have a bit of duplication in your text, the last two paragraphs in the Rene Caisse section and the second two paragraphs in the Gary Glum section are identical. You might want to edit that.