I recommend to move this to „frauds“, as Essiac/Flor Essence has been sold as an alleged ndn remedy for several decades already, and still is manufactured and sold by numerous producers.
Essiac resp Flor Essence has been on the nuage and alternative medicine markets since long. Vendors' and promoters' websites usually mention the 'rediscoverer' first received knowledge of Essiac in the 1920ies. As it has been established in these markets for a long time, there are some 416,000 google results in all languages for "Essiac“, and numerable vendors offer it in a surprisingly narrow price segment. However, there seems to be a certain concentration on markets accessible in English and German language.
Essiac is a concoction of eight components which might vary slightly in the different mixes sold; however, the original preparation may have had only four components. The newer name 'Flor Essence' according to some sites seems to have been coined by the 'rediscoverer' of Essiac herself, a Ms Rene Caisse.
The compound is marketed as having been passed on by an Anishnabe medicine man and is therefore said to be an Indian remedy. I did not research any further whether this claim is factual or pure fantasy, although this might give sales a different angle respectively: if it is in fact a traditional remedy, selling it will also qualify as cultural exploitation; if the ndn fad is nothing more than a marketing tool, it will exploit ndn cultures and peoples as something exotic and possessing secret knowledge. The racist connotation is given in both cases.
Wikipedia explains re Essiac:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essiac#cite_ref-0 Essiac or Essiac Tea is a blend of herbs used to make a tea that is believed by some[1] to have cancer-treating properties. Originally used by Native American tribal medicine men, the recipe was rediscovered by a Canadian nurse, Rene Caisse, R.N. in 1922, as she was attending to a woman who had claimed to have previously cured her breast cancer with an herbal remedy given to her by a North American Indian shaman in the 1890s. Known as "Nurse Caisse" or "Miss Caisse", Rene named her version of the recipe—her last name spelled backwards.
[…]
I would like to draw readers' attention to the racist character of the above phrasing: If the preparation was in traditional use with ndn medicine men, then of course white Ms Caisse was in no position to 'rediscover' it. A more adaquate term in the case as described above will be: she appropriated the recipe.
As wikipedia and numerous vendors' sites point out, the concoction received its present name by the appropriator Ms Caisse who did not come up with any mysterious naming prodecure but simply spelled her family name backwards. One is tempted to add: in a true racist manner, as for a white supremacist, the backward (backassward?) spelling of a white name seems preferable over establishing the correct term used by the Anishnabe who are said to have used this remedy traditionally. But Caisse, as a true 'discoverer', claimed the right to name what she appropriated. On the other hand, in case the concoction is not traditionally ndn, there is no ndn term for it in the very first place which seems more than likely given the fact that Wikipedia also mentions that three of its four main ingredients are no North American plants:
The Essiac formula is believed to have its roots in native Canadian Ojibwa (Midewiwin) medicine, despite the fact that three of the four ingredients are not native to North America. The basic Essiac formula contains greater burdock root (Arctium lappa), slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus rubra, formerly known as Ulmus fulva), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and Indian or Turkish rhubarb root (Rheum officinale).[3]
This explanation seems to indicate a different origin of the concoction than the traditional Native American one claimed.
As wikipedia explains further ingredients known to be used in Essiac:
Medline notes there are more than 40 different essiac-like products now sold in North America, Europe, and Australia. One of these alternative preparations contains eight herbs, adding red clover (Trifolium pratense), watercress (Nasturtium officinale), blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus), and kelp (Laminaria digitata) to the original four ingredients. Other preparations add echinacea, black walnut (Juglans nigra) or other ingredients, such as cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa ).[4] Other formulas include variations using common dandelion root, mullein, fenugreek, red root, chamomile, blood root, cinnamon, comfrey, ginseng, golden seal, licorice root, pau d'arco and/or ocotillo. All variations of Essiac utilize the same main four ingredients, in addition to any other added plants.[6]
The concoction is and has been sold and propagated as alternative medicine, primarily as a cure for cancer.
According to Medline, based on tradition, some people take essiac tea on occasion for general health purposes, detoxification, or for healing various ailments other than cancer. Some other ailments treated with Essiac include AIDS, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, immune system disorders, stress, depression, Jaundice, burns, chronic cough, liver problems, kidney problems, Lyme disease, blood cleanser, Gout, skin sores/rashes/boils, Hepatitis, toxin elimination, Diabetes, stomach problems/digestion/ulcers and Lupus Erythematosus. NIH's Medline says even less evidence is available for these applications than for cancer.[4]
It must be pointed out that the use of a particular concoction for 'detoxification' can be seen as a marker for its promotion by the alternative medicine scene, as this happens to be a catchword and the necessity of cleansing one's blood or colon, or undergoing a detoxification is stereotypic advice given by many alternative 'healers'.
Most of the above mentioned ailments are rather severe diseases. The use of Essiac can have fatal consequences if patients go off prescribed medications or drop out of chemotherapy, but put their trust in Essiac as a replacement. Fatal consequences also may occur if users replace medication prescribed for diabetes, immune system disorders (of which the later on mentioned Lupus Erythematosus is one) jaundice, liver and kidney diseases, Lyme disease, hepatits, or ulcers.
Consequently, many of the vendors hasten to add respective advice to their websites, informing that the concoction *may not be sold as a medicinal product* and that its consumption will not replace sound medical advice. Despite of this, these sites often promote Essiac for various diseases, and/or publish testimonials of customers claiming it cured them from a particular disease.
In this context, the names of vendors' and promoters' sites are particularly noteworthy, like e.g.:
cancerguide, cancerhelp, cancer.org, cancure, aidsinfo, cancersalves, medic8, caninecancer.
These are only a few sites and one is easily able to catch the message transported by the names.
Of course there are also numerous sites using the term 'Essiac', like this one:
https://www.essiac-resperin.com/en/orderform_eu.html Perhaps they seem trustworthy for a desperate person seeking last refuges, but citizens of European countries may have second thoughts when visiting their online shop due to this announcement:
„Prices are in Euro dollars“
If they cannot tell the correct term for the EU currency – will they be able to give correct information regarding the items they sell and regarding their alleged effects? Probably not.
Although far and few between, there are also sites providing factual info about Essiac instead of making false promises to persons in serious conditions. A few studies indeed were done trying to establish the effectiveness of Essiac – however, with results promoters and vendors apparently chose to neglect:
http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/Cancernet/CDR0000301806.html Laboratory/Animal/Preclinical Studies
Essiac
[…]
In 1983, the National Cancer Institute tested a liquid sample of Essiac that was provided by the manufacturer after the Canadian Department of National Health and Welfare (Health Protection Branch) requested that it be tested in animals. Reviewed in [3] These studies revealed no anticancer activity in the mouse P388 lymphocytic leukemia tumor system and found lethal toxicity at the highest concentrations of Essiac administered to test animals. It is not known, however, how the concentrations used in these animal tests compare with the concentrations achieved in humans after the consumption of the manufacturer's recommended doses.
Flor Essence
There are conflicting results in the peer-reviewed literature. One study suggests that Flor Essence enhances tumor growth in vitro, a finding that is contradictory to the widely available anecdotal evidence that this product suppresses or inhibits tumor development. [4] Another study suggests that the growth of human breast cancer cells is stimulated through estrogen receptor (ER)–mediated as well as ER–independent mechanisms of action from Flor Essence and Essiac herbal tonics. [5] A third study demonstrated antiproliferative and differentiation-inducing properties in vitro only in high concentrations of Essiac and Flor Essence herbal teas. [6]
The 2004 in vivo study of Flor Essence in a rat model looked at mammary tumor development following administration of the herbal compound. Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 112) were assigned to one of three groups. The control group (n = 35) received water only. The second group (n = 40) received 3% Flor Essence in their drinking water in an attempt to provide a dose equivalent to that recommended in the popular literature. The third group (n = 37) received 6% Flor Essence in their drinking water to investigate the dose-response relationship. Mammary tumors were induced by a 40 mg/kg/bw dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. At 19 weeks, palpable mammary tumor incidence was greater (65% and 59.4%) in both Flor Essence groups compared with controls (51%). Terminal necropsy was performed at age 23 weeks or when tumor burden became too great. Results showed mammary tumor incidence was 82.5% for controls compared with 90% and 97.3%, respectively, for rats consuming 3% and 6% Flor Essence. [4]
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/essiac/patient/Page2#Section_24 2
A nurse in Canada first began to promote Essiac as a cancer treatment in the 1920s. Today, Essiac and Flor Essence may be sold as herbal supplements as long as they do not claim to treat or cure cancer.
In 1922, a breast cancer patient gave the Essiac formula to the nurse and said it had cured her disease. The patient said the formula came from an Ontario Ojibwa Native American medicine man.
In 1934, the nurse opened a cancer clinic in Ontario and gave Essiac to patients free of charge. In 1938, the Royal Cancer Commission of Canada visited the clinic but found little evidence that Essiac was effective. The nurse closed the clinic in 1942 but continued to give Essiac to patients until the late 1970s.
Between 1959 and the late 1970s, the nurse worked with an American doctor to study Essiac in the laboratory and in people and to promote its use. They also created the formula now called Flor Essence. The results of their studies were not reported in any peer-reviewed scientific journals. Most scientific journals have experts who review research reports before they are published, to make sure that the evidence and conclusions are sound. This is called peer review. Studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals are considered to be better evidence.
In 1977, the nurse gave the formula for Essiac to a company in Canada. In 1978, the government of Canada allowed this company to do clinical studies (research studies with people) on the safety and effectiveness of Essiac. In 1982, it withdrew its permission (see Question 6). This company tried to have Essiac approved as a drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but did not get approval.
In the 1980s, companies making Essiac-like products began to sell the mixtures as health tonics. Because these companies did not make claims that it would treat or cure certain diseases, Essiac did not come under laws that regulate it as a drug.
[...]
5 Have any preclinical (laboratory or animal) studies been conducted using Essiac or Flor Essence?
Research in a laboratory or using animals is done to find out if a drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to be useful in humans. Animal tumor models are used to learn how a cancer may progress and to test new treatments. These preclinical studies are done before any testing in humans is begun. The following laboratory and animal studies of Essiac have been reported:
In the mid 1970s, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City tested dried and liquid samples of Essiac in 8 experiments involving the S–180 mouse sarcoma tumor model (a type of animal model used to study treatment). Researchers found that Essiac did not make the immune system more active and did not act as an anticancer drug.
In the early 1980s, researchers at MSKCC tested Essiac again. They found no anticancer activity after doing 17 studies that used a variety of animal leukemia models and other tumor models.
In 1983, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) tested a liquid sample of Essiac in the mouse P388 lymphocytic leukemia tumor system but found no anticancer activity. Very high doses of Essiac killed the test animals. Scientists, however, do not know how this finding applies to people who take more than the maker's recommended doses of Essiac.
In 2004, a laboratory study at Indiana University-Purdue University reported that Essiac slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Studies of Flor Essence have shown differing results:
Two laboratory studies reported that Flor Essence made tumor cells grow.
Another laboratory study reported that high doses of both Flor Essence and Essiac herbal teas reduced the growth of cancer cells.
A 2004 animal study of Flor Essence found that it increased breast tumor growth in rats.
Laboratory and animal studies have reported on the effects of some of the chemicals found in the different herbs used to make Essiac and Flor Essence. These studies report that certain chemicals may:
Prevent cell damage that can lead to cancer.
Reduce swelling, redness, and pain.
Have an effect on the body similar to the hormone estrogen.
Kill cancer cells.
It is not known if taking Essiac and Flor Essence products can give humans enough of the chemicals that produce these effects.
6
Have any clinical trials (research studies with people) of Essiac or Flor Essence been conducted?
No results of clinical studies (research studies with people) of Flor Essence have been reported. In addition, no reports of clinical trials of Essiac have been reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Brief descriptions of one incomplete clinical trial and one review of reports on cancer patients who took Essiac have been published, however.
In 1978, the Canadian government gave permission to a Canadian company to begin studying Essiac for safety and effectiveness. In 1982, the government withdrew its permission after it found that the company was not keeping all batches of Essiac exactly the same and was not following the proper rules for clinical trials. A review of data from this incomplete study showed no clear evidence of improved survival in cancer patients who took Essiac. Findings also showed that Essiac was not toxic (harmful).
In the early 1980s, the Canadian government reviewed information on 86 cancer patients who had taken Essiac. This was a review of case summaries written by the doctors; the original patient records were not reviewed. The researchers reported that it was not clear if changes in the patients’ conditions were caused by Essiac or something else.
7 Have any side effects or risks been reported from Essiac or Flor Essence?
The only reported side effects caused by Essiac are nausea and vomiting. According to the company making Flor Essence, side effects may include increased bowel movements, frequent urination, swollen glands, skin blemishes, flu-like symptoms, and slight headaches.
8
Is Essiac or Flor Essence approved by the FDA for use as a cancer treatment in the United States?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Essiac or Flor Essence to treat cancer or any other medical condition.
Companies sell Essiac and Flor Essence as health tonics or herbal dietary supplements, which the FDA regulates as foods, not drugs. Essiac or Flor Essence would have to be approved by the FDA as a drug for companies to claim that the products treat or prevent a disease.
From all this we learn that Essiac, despite being advertized as a cancer remedy, is far from acting as one, but might even result in causing the growth of tumors already present. This is not exactly what one expects from a mixture sold as a cure for them. On the other hand, Essiac may also cause severe side effects – some vendors'/promoters' sites publish testmonials of customers who describe the above mentioned ones, especially severe cases of diarrhoe, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, some of the writers even develop all of these side effects (which may cause dehydration – a condition which may rather quickly become life-endangering if consumers do not see a medical doctor about it, especially if they are already suffering from serious conditions like a tumor, or AIDS etc.).
However, these testimonials do
not view the side effects as negative or a potential health risk, and these users – apparently stout believers in alternative medicine – will not stop taking it, but rather interprete side effects as evidence that the desired effect (e.g. a 'detoxification' or 'cleansing') has begun and the concoction has started to kick in. With this view of the effects experienced, it is highly to be doubted appropriate medical help will be sought. In the same way, also symptoms not mentioned in the list of side effects are being intrepreted as an indication of the effectiveness of Essiac.
The concoction is sold as a 'health tonic' or 'dietary supplement' on US and European markets. It therefore lacks any registration as a drug, since food and dietary supplements do not need this. As a consequence, advertising Essiac with the claim of the mixture being useful or effective as a remedy for any disease is illegal. Part of such a registration process will be tests to establish whether a product effectively cures any disease, whether it may cause side effects, or whether its healing effects will be restricted to the financial status of its producers and vendors.
