Questions regarding Essiac's orignal formula and dosage
I too am looking for the "original" formula used by Rene
Caisse. There is some disagreement as to the formula and dosage. One
of the clues that I've used for a long time in my pursuit of all
"alternative" medicine is - Who's making a dollar off of the
recommendation? The higher the price of the product (especially for common
ingredients), the more I question the product.
I also have "Essiac: The Secrets of Rene Caisse's Herbal Pharmacy"
and have used that as my confirmation of the four herb formula and dosage, along
with other statements I made, in the post that you are referring to.
On pages 13 and 14 of the referenced book, you will find the wording of the
affidavit of Mary McPherson giving the detailed recipe for Essiac. You can
find an on-line photo copy of the affidavit at:
http://www.healthfreedom.info/McPherson%20Affidavit.htm
If you go to page 3 of the referenced book you will find that Mary McPherson
knew Rene for 43 years and in Rene's later years "Mary helped with
making up the Essiac when Rene was no longer physically able"
(direct quote from page 3.) So, Mary knew the formula.
Shelia Snow, one of the authors of this book, was associated with Dr. Brusch
for 16 years, and during that time examined the evidence in the letters that
were exchanged between Dr. Brusch and Mary McPherson. Shelia concludes
"...we do not believe that Rene ever gave Dr. Brusch the Essiac
formula. Therefore, we must question any subsequent claims by people
associated with Dr. Brusch as having access to the original Essiac formula."
Direct quote, page 13.
Regarding dosage. From page 15 of this book, "This recipe produces
a total of 45 oz in weight of the dried herbal mix, which could supply as many
as five people taking Rene's recommend dose of 1 fl oz/30ml of Essiac
daily for over 16 months." (Emphasis added.) Going on
to page 17 of the same book it reads (Rene Caisse's words): "There is absolutely no need to
exceed the basic dosage levels. Large doses are no more effective
and waste valuable herbs...." (Emphasis added.) The
book "Essiac A Native Herbal Cancer Remedy" gives the exact same
formula, but they change the dosage to 2 ounces at bedtime on an empty stomach
for maintenance, and 2 ounces in the morning and 2 ounces at bedtime for active
cancer patients. I am very much in tune with energies including my body
energy and when I first took my one ounce of Essiac, I could feel it travel all
through my body. In fact I had to quickly lie down for fear of falling
down. It is extremely potent stuff. My body has since
adjusted to it and I don't get quite the same reaction. I am taking it due
to a history prostate cancer and the fact that my PSA has gone from .7 to 2.5
over the period of a year. They have still not found any more cancer even
after I cancelled my prostate surgery 14 years ago and have done no medical
interventions. I am also taking Essiac to see if my diabetes, which I
control with diet alone, will improve, because Rene stated that it eliminated
diabetes in some cases. Because I've only been taking Essiac now for about
a week, it is too early to tell but already my blood sugar levels seem to be
improving.
The authors of this book are selling nothing but the book. They have no
reason to as you state "...use misleading information and fear
tactics." Those who promote the eight herb formula using Dr. Brusch's
name as their source are in it only to make money. They have a profit
motive, not a healing motive, and they are not using the original
formula which Rene used for many years in her clinic.
For people to read the same book and come up with different conclusions is
nothing new, and seriously, I'm interested in using Rene's formula, as she used
it in her years of operating her cancer clinic.
One last thing, I am questioning whether or not Essiac is even Native
American in origin. Burdock is native to Europe, but not North America and
couldn't have arrived here until the 16th Century. Even then, how it could
have become widespread and be used by Native Americans even in the 19th Century
(which is when the woman who Rene received her formula from, got it) is an open
question. The Turkey rhubarb is in fact a mystery. It is native to
Turkey and Asia, and not around North America at all. How that got into a
Native American herbal tea is very strange.
You will find the statement of a Native American who questions not only the
ingredients of the tea, but the tribe who originated it at:
http://theherbs.info/turkey.html#Professor
Bottom line is that I'm going with Rene Caisse's original formula and dosage
recommendations.
"Luise,
I have to disagree with the reply you recieved in response to your posting the
essiac protocol of 9 oz.
a day, AGGRESSIVE DOSE. This is exactly the protocol I am now using and
achieving results after six months. For my condition, there is a projected
treatment program of 18 mos.
I began with Flor.Essence an eight herb essiac formula, widely sold. After a
great deal of trial and error, I understood the best way to take Flor.Essence
and directions for dilution. As I needed to go to a heavier, more aggressive
dose -- I am now on a bulk, organic, eight herb essiac at 9 oz. per day. Shortly
down the road I will be ordering organic herbs and making the blend myself to be
followed by growing my own organic herbs.
I have accumulated quite a library of books on essiac, including "Essiac:
Rene Caisse's Herbal Pharmacy". Rene Caisse did indeed work with Dr.
Charles Brusch and together they developed an eight herb formula, including four
potentiating herbs, which make the four core herbs more effective. It is only
the current makers of four herb formulas that want to misinform the public that
the four herb is more effective than the eight herb formula. Believe me, I have
put hours of research into this. The four herb promotors mainly use misleading
information and fear tactics.
It is the Respirin Corporation and its corporate leaders that Rene Caisse had
difficult relations with, not Charles Brusch of Massachusetts, at one time John
F. Kennedy's personal physician. As with several other natural cancer protocols,
extreme cases need aggressive doses. I have a fibrous lump that is finally
softening through my use of eight herb essiac at the aggressive dose of 3 oz./3
times a day. I take this diluted with BOILED distilled water in a mug. Dilution
is double the amount of the tea, thus 3 oz. tea, 6 oz. of BOILED distilled
water. Never heat or boil the tea itself after making the initial batch.
As far as possible take each dose on an empty stomach: last thing before
retiring, first thing in the morning, and 5 PM or so, before the evening meal.
This is the AGGRESSIVE DOSE protocol I am using and it is working. It is Rene
Caisse's advice to drink the brew hot as I am doing. It is especially effective
overnight as the body rests and heals itself.
Essiac is a Whole Body Detoxer and gradually works to detox and heal every organ
and body system. It enhances the overall functioning of the immune system, as
well as gradually breaking down tumors."