The Body’s Power to Heal Itself

Tamasin Sterner
September – October 2025 • Vol 4, No 18

“The results we obtained with thousands of patients of various races, sexes and ages, with all types of cancer, definitely proves Essiac to be a cure for cancer. Studies done in laboratories in the United States and Canada also fortify this claim.”  —Dr. Charles A. Brusch, MD

Excerpts from The Essiac Report: Canada’s Remarkable Unknown Cancer Remedy

“Chemotherapy and radiation are, for the most part, indiscriminate killers. Skeptics conclude that, in most cases, these “therapies” are no better and sometimes much worse than the actual disease.

An alternative is the Native-American formula for Essiac Tea that consists of 4 or 5 herbs. It’s a simple, inexpensive, highly effective and natural approach that has no side effects and is available to everyone. For over a century, detoxification programs using this tea have restored health to thousands of cancer victims.

Rene M. Caisse, RN (1889–1978) was the Canadian nurse responsible for Essiac being used in treating cancer, although it was never made legal in her lifetime. At age 33 in 1922, Caisse was the head nurse at a hospital in Ontario, Canada. A patient revealed to her she had discovered large, hard masses in her breast. She and her husband were camped by some Ojibwa Indians, and their medicine man said he had a remedy—”a holy drink that would purify the body and put it back in balance with the Great Spirit.”

Two years later, Caisse used the formula on her favorite aunt who was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the stomach and liver. After two months, her aunt was a lot better and lived another 20 years. In 1932, Caisse opened a clinic using the tea. She was offered money by the medical establishment for her tea formula. She knew the cancer industry would bury the cure, so she did not let them have the formula. Chicago doctors, after researching Essiac, concluded that it did indeed prolong life, break down tumors and relieve pain. The Cancer Commission tried to close her clinic. She was threatened with prosecution and imprisonment, so in 1942, she complied and closed her clinic. [Read her full story at Essiacinfo.org.]

In 1959, at 70 years old, Rene Caisse began the most important phase in the popularization of Essiac. (The formula name is her name spelled backwards.) John F. Kennedy’s personal physician, Dr. Charles Brusch, began working with this humble nurse from Canada. He was already highly interested in preventative medicine, nutrition and other forms of natural treatments.

Twenty-five years later, Dr. Brusch wrote, “I endorse this Essiac therapy today, for I have, in fact, cured my own cancer, the original site of which was in my lower bowel, through Essiac alone.” He also observed it benefiting diabetes, and other conditions brought about by high toxicity. Essiac proved to be a phenomenal detoxifier. Together in 1988, Dr. Brusch and Elaine Alexander decided to get Essiac out to the public as a harmless, herbal detoxifying tea.

While drugs are designed to block some symptom or change some function of the body, Essiac is, in fact, a natural substance that was always meant to simply detoxify the body. Once the body is cleansed of toxic, disease-producing impurities, it has the power to heal itself. In 1992, Essiac Tea became available to the public for the first time. In a letter to JFK, Dr. Brusch wrote, “The results we obtained, with thousands of patients of various races, sexes and ages and with all types of cancer, definitely proves Essiac to be a cure for cancer. Studies done in laboratories in the U.S. and Canada also fortify this claim.”

Note from Essi Plus Tea™ Formulator, Elaine Rylin

“I found Caisse’s original Essiac Tea formula 25 years ago when I had breast cancer. Within six months of drinking this tea every day, I was cancer-free…

“I used no other remedy. I have been cancer-free for all the years since. I am in better health today than ever. Liver spots, a sign of toxicity, disappeared from my hands. Arthritic hips and shoulders are healed; my blood sugar is balanced; I no longer crave sweets after dinner; I sleep well at night.

“Fifteen years ago, the torch was passed to me, and I was given the Essiac formula to blend and distribute. The addition of red clover to the formula—and thus the name change from Essiac Tea to Essi Plus Tea—helps to make the tea milder tasting and, some say, delicious.

“I have now passed the torch to my dear friend, Tamasin, who  blends the five herbs (all organic) and makes Essi Plus freshly from her home in Lavina, Montana. Please contact her for more in-formation and to order.”

NOTE: Each 8 oz. bag lasts about 1 month. Since it usually takes 3 months to achieve clean blood, we suggest you buy 3–4 bags to give the tea a good chance to do its work.

Elaine once said, “Everyone has a right to good health. It has been our honor, privilege and responsibility to bring you this ancient Ojibwa blend of herbal tea.” Neither Elaine nor I are medical doctors. We are just old women with opinions, knowledge, experience, trust, and   love. Use this tea with good faith, and at your own risk. Trust your intuition. Enjoy your journey.

Good Health!  —Tamasin