FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. But why can't I have an exact brew? Maybe the tea won't work otherwise. Most important is Rene Caisse’s original recipe using her prescribed four herbs. The highest quality herbs are those grown in rich organic USA soil. All imported herbs are compromised in some way and of questionable quality; plus, they are required by law to be sprayed or irradiated, and this includes imported organic herbs. Each plant will even vary from one to another slightly in chemical makeup. Each of us humans have slight differences which make us unique genetically. There is no exactness in anything. Nothing. Please don't add that stress to your life. Historically, herbs were used with much less care in measurements than used today, yet were effective. When one comes to understand herbs more fully, and us as individuals, you will possibly see that attempting to make drugs out of herbs will not work.
As a general thought, herbs are used many many times to GENTLY assist the body to do what it inherently knows how to do - heal itself! (Some herbs are more aggressive, but I am speaking in generalities here.) Most herbalists and those who work with herbs daily in their lives, will tell you that you may have to take the more gentle herbs up to three months to notice any changes in the body. This differs drastically from pharmaceuticals which are designed to enter the body and ALTER or suppress a symptom. Herbs, many times, are there to nudge the body back to homeostasis (balance), to support organs and their health, etc - but generally not to do what drugs do! Do a search on the internet. You will read about hundreds of people who have used the four herbs and are now cancer-free.
2. Why is the Native Herbal Combination so cheap? We offer our essiac blend at the very lowest price we can so that it may be affordable and available for everyone, which was the hope that Rene Caisse always had for her herbal remedy. We could charge much more but do not feel that would be ethical, nor in the spirit of those who went before us in making this blend available to those in need. This does not mean we compromise quality - far from it. It means we CARE.
3. Will you be adding recovery testimonials to your site? We feel that the internet is loaded with testimonials. As a nurse, I have high regard for confidentiality. Since none of our clients, with the exception of Bob Karjala, have made their recoveries public on the internet, we wish to honor their privacy. We also think that testimonials using initials of individuals would be highly suspect to scrutinizing persons who would like to check out the references. It's better left to the other sites!
4. Will you be adding other herbs to your blend like there are in Flor-Essence? Some sources modify or add other ingredients to the original formula in order to make claims of exclusivity, and to give the impression they have improved on the original formula. Rene Caisse's formula is well documented in "Essiac Essentials" by coauthors Mali Klein and Sheila Snow, who had unprecedented access to Rene Caisse's histories allowing you to be sure you're getting the original formula used by Rene Caisse. She used this formula for five decades to treat thousands of patients in her free clinic, and knew the cooperative action was producing the satisfactory results she expected. With these results having improved lives for more than fifty years, why change this authenticated formula, risking the loss of the same fighting active ingredients? Rene Caisse's authenticated formula is documented in the Bracebridge, Ontario Library by Mary McPherson, Rene Caisse's personal helper. We view with suspect those marketers that have changed Rene Caisse's original formula.
5. I have advanced cancer. How much essiac should I take? We ask that a person start out slow with this blend. Especially if you have not been extra careful with diet, are a smoker or endulge in drugs or alcohol. Cancer also throws off toxins into the body which need to be released. This blend tends to help detoxify the body. Most people are not aware that you can detoxify too rapidly and it can be anywhere from uncomfortable to life-threatening. The early stages of detoxifying too quickly is a flu-like feeling. This means that stored toxins in the tissues and muscle are being released into the bloodstream. Start slow, build up by one ounce every several days, and LISTEN to your body. Some people are taking up to 12 oz per day. We ask that you use your own discretion, and by all means watch the signs in your body - how you feel will tell you if you are taking too much! Most literature states 2-4 oz per day.
6. Why don't you offer the essiac blend already brewed and bottled? Pre-bottled essiac tea is an extremely expensive way to purchase the product, increasing the cost from 6 to 10 times more than brewing it yourself. Additionally, you would never be sure of the quality of the herbs used, the proper measurements implemented or if the correct brewing procedures were followed. Brewing it yourself assures freshness. Even in dark glass bottles long light rays penetrate the glass, and over a period of time will reduce its effectiveness.
Most people enjoy the brewing process because it makes them feel like they are helping themselves or a loved one. They can also take the tea along with their loved one. Very few options allow us to be such a part of their healthcare this way. It should only take you about 2 hours maximum per month to make this tea (not counting the time it steeps for 12 hours). The instructions may seem overwhelming at first, but they are actually quite simple.
7. Do I have to continue taking the essiac after my cancer is gone? Recalling the experience of Robert Karjala, Bob stopped the alts for about a year and a half. After his second wave of cancer hit, he began the alts again. Bob's stepson, Benn, suspects that possibly if Bob had stayed on the alts, he would have stayed in remission. After Bob began the alts again, he decided to use himself as a "test subject" - keeping strict records of what he took, amounts taken, etc. He would not alter his regimen during that time due to his feelings that it would invalidate his self-imposed test subject status. Bob's feelings at the end were that LOW DOSES OF ALTS DO NOT WORK VERY WELL.
8. How does this tea work? Does it attack cancer? No one knows exactly. Three of the four herbs used are considered foods and medicines, which are high in nutritive value. Sorrel has been used in Europe for centuries to help break down tumors. Burdock is a powerful blood purifier. Slippery Elm is used traditionally as a tonic (helps strengthen the body), and seems to assist in healing. Rhubarb has a gentle laxative action which helps stimulate bile and also the gallbladder to expel toxic waste matter. Some theories hold that there are specific constituents, or chemicals, in the herbs which directly attack cancer. No one knows why many people no longer have cancer after taking the essiac blend. Perhaps it has to do with the synergy of the combination which is the most important. It may help strengthen the body so that it can heal itself through the nutrients and removing toxins. Note, Rene Caisse defended the importance of her exact formula, focusing on the synergistic results of the four-herb combination.
9. Do I need to do anything else beside take essiac? The essiac herbs are not meant to replace the advise of a physician, nor should they be used exclusively without doing much research on your part. It is ultimately your decision. Some of our clients do nothing else than take the tea. Many, though, make significant lifestyle changes after receiving the news they have cancer. This includes diet, stress management, supplements of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc, My thoughts are that you may wish to add a more healthy diet to your primary changes. The fuel/food that enters our body is one of the main things it utilizes for healing. To take the essiac herbs and eat junk food, highly refined or processed foods and others will be giving your cells less than they need to fight their battle. Let medicine be your food, and food your medicine. Laughter is also very healing! Stress depletes the body of important energy needed during any healing phase. Do not rely on any ONE thing in your walk toward wellness!
10. I paid $200 for a bottle of herbs, doesn't the price mean better quality than your product? There are many people out there ready and willing to take advantage of your plight. If a marketer claims that their product cures cancer and it's all you need - RUN! We are each individuals with individual needs. There are also MANY types of cancer. Please refrain from purchasing anything out of panic. As I have told several people - if a hint of a "cure" is outrageously expensive, ask lots of questions. It is better to spend the money on buying organically grown food than on a "scam." And as for charging $200 for those herbs - I don't know of one herb in that blend that would cost that much to produce. I figured out the highest possible production cost ratios for product you mentioned, and is wasn't worth more than $10.00!
11. Do I have to have cancer to take essiac tea? No. Many of our clients use the tea as a "preventative" and to help them "feel better." This blend has also been used by those who have diabetes, AIDS, arthritis and a host of other dis-eases.
12. Can I take the essiac tea while taking chemotherapy and/or radiation? Will it interfere with any prescriptions? Discuss your use of the tea with your doctors. To the best of my knowledge, this tea does not interfere with any of those. Taking certain vitamins and antioxidants possibly can interfere though.
13.Does Native Herbal Combination or any essiac tea have side effects? A few reported cases of jaundice appearing in the eyes (although this has not been reported by any of our clients). Mild diarrhea. Abdominal pain. Itchy eyes. Pain in the kidneys, or the area of the lower back. (this is usually related to the amount you are consuming) You should then immediately discontinue use and consult with your doctor or healthcare practioner. Flu-like feelings (discussed above). It is not recommended to be taken by pregnant women or nursing mothers. On the other side, I have had people tell me that their appetite significantly increased, they had more energy, an overall feeling of well being, less pain.... As with ANY substance, there are those who can develop sensitivity or rare reactions. This has not been reported to us by any of our clients. One of the preventatives that will help with side effects is to consume approximately one gallon of water a day to flush your body (unless contraindicated by your physician).
14. What does the tea taste like? The taste is bland, not strong or overly bitter.
15. Can I dilute the tea with juice? We do not advise that. The acids in citric juices may alter the tea. Spring or distilled water would be best for dilution.
This information is provided for educational purposes and to promote discussion only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or claim cure for any disease or imbalance in the body.
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