Essiac indeed has shown to be helpful for many conditions, including cancer and diabetes, just to name two. It has few contraindications, is not toxic in higher doses, and is useful before, during and after radiation, surgery and/or chemotherapy. The most important ingredient in Essiac is Sheep sorrel root. Almost no Essiac currently on the market includes this part of the Sheep sorrel herb, instead only the top part of the plant is used. Rene Caisse used the whole herb, and the central importance of the root to the formula is documented in her correspondence with the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Center in the 1970s when they were researching Essiac. I highly recommend Mali Klein and Sheila Snow's four books on Essiac, the most recent (and the only one left in print) being The Complete Essiac Essentials (2010). A good source, and only one of a few worldwide, of the herbs with Sheep sorrel root included, is ReneCaisseTea (dot)com

Essiac indeed has shown to be helpful for many conditions, including cancer and diabetes, just to name two. It's been around for over 100 years and recently has been gaining more attention as a valuable herbal remedy. It has few contraindications, is not toxic in higher doses, and is useful before, during and after radiation, surgery and/or chemotherapy. The most important ingredient in Essiac is Sheep sorrel root. Almost no Essiac currently on the market includes this part of the Sheep sorrel herb, instead only the top part of the plant is used. Rene Caisse used the whole herb, and the central importance of the root to the formula is documented in her correspondence with the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Center in the 1970s when they were researching Essiac. I highly recommend Mali Klein and Sheila Snow's four books on Essiac, the most recent (and the only one left in print) being The Complete Essiac Essentials (2010). The herbs, with Sheep sorrel root included, and the book, are available online but I am not allowed to put the URL here. Google ReneCaisseTea :) and go to the website of the same name.