JW A Native Herbal Cancer Remedy Cynthia Olsen with contributions by Jim Chan & Christopher Gussa )r- «i -2 -*, m) wz Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/essiacnativeherbOOolse BUO ' IllilNOIIIIIllWlllll "The plutocrats who p 3 1833 04461 606 5 in't want you to know that there is a simple mixture ofcommon North American herbs that shows great potential for the treatment of cancer, a dis- ease which provides the medical establishment with megadoses of money." — The Spotlight "In this compact and intelligently presented book, Cynthia Olsen goes a long way toward giving Essiac its proper due "as perhaps not a universal cure but a recognized remedy" in the treatment ofcancer. [This book] provides the historical context of this herbal treatment along with a materia medica on the four herbs that make up Essiac. Olsen never bullies her readers. Instead, she provides enough infor- mation so that the individual can make his or her own decisions regarding use ofEssiac. In this vein, Olsencorrectly, I think, provides a framework for working with herbs (as opposed to pharmaceutical drugs) in the treatment of disease." — Small Press "The author does a good job ofreviewing the history ofthis formula as well as scientific reasons why these herbs may affect the growth of cancer cells or support the immune system. Unlike others who have written books about Essiac, Olsen takes the time to discuss what is known about the Ojibwa healers and how their traditional methods may have resulted in this tea." — Common Ground A "Essiac: Native Herbal Cancer Remedy, winner of the 1997 Small Press Book Award, is an insightful account of the history and appli- cations ofthis time-proven natural Canadian herbal remedy. Author Cynthia B. Olsen offers insight into the restorative properties of Essiac and the necessity of harmony between spirit, mind and body that can be obtained through exercise, meditation and herbal medi- cation. This complete work offers information about nutrition and exercise that is vital to everyone, even those not experiencing ailments." — The Edge Winner of Small Press BookAward in Health, Medicine and Nutrition Jas* t' A Native Herbal Cancer Remedy 2nd Edition Cynthia Olsen with contributions by & Dr. Jim Chan Christopher Gussa KALI PRESS P.O. Box 1031 WA PortTownsend, 98368-1031 360-385-1933 Someofthemanufacturersarestatingthattheirformulaisthebestandthemost authentic.Pleasetakewith"agrainofsalt"whatpeoplemaytellyouaboutthe meritsoftheirproducts. Itisvitallyimportantforeachpersonwhomaybeillwith canceroranydiseasetoseektheirowncounselbygoingwithinbeforedecidingon courseofaction.Inspiteofallthepositivetestimony,Essiacshouldnotbe consideredauniversalcureforcancer. Theresultsvaryfromcasetocase.The herbsburdock,sheepsorrel,turkeyrhubarb,andslipperyelmhaveexcellent propertiesthatwillassistthebodyinstrengtheningtheimmunesystemaswellas incleansingandassistingvariousorganstofunctionproperly. ©Copyright 1996byCynthiaOlsen Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedina retrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronic, mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise,withoutpriorwrittenconsent fromthecopyrightowner. Firstpublishedin 1996,revisedin 1998by: KaliPress Box2169 PagosaSprings,CO81147-2169 www.kalipress.com LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData Olsen, Cynthia Essiac:anativeherbalcancerremedy/Cynth—iaOlsen,with contributionsbyJimChan&ChristopherGussa. 2nded. \ p. cm. Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex. ISBN1-890941-00-X (pbk) — — 1.Essiac —Therapeuticuse. 2.Cancer Alte—rnativetreatment. 3.Burdocks Ther—apeuticuse. 4.Sheepsorrel Ther—apeuticuse. 5.Turkeyrhubarb Therapeuticuse. 6.Slipperyelm Therapeutic use. I.Chan,Jim. II.Gussa,Christopher. III.Title RC271.E68047 1998 98-35978 616.99 406—DC21 CIP ' Editing, contributionandillustrationso{Essiacherbs: PeterMarritt & Designandadditionalillustrations: PaulBond,Art SoulDesign CoverphotographofBurdockRoot:StephenFoster FiveRitesphotographs:PrestonSowell FiveRitesmodel:CourtneyM.Hill CoverphotographofMidiwiwinMedicineManbypermissionfromthe Smithsonian Enthological Archives PhotographofReneCaissebypermissionfromtheBracebridgeLibrary, Bracebridge,Ontario,Canada-photopropertyofMaryMacpherson 10 9 8 7 Printed in Canada > TRIBUTE TO JENI ERICSON KYLEIGH April 8, 1932 * May 31, 1998 To my special friendJeni Ericson Kyleigh who made her transition on May 31, 1998. You will be greatly missed. Your spirit essence will always remain in our hearts. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ihave deepgratitudeforall thepeople who contributed theirtime, effortsandcreative processes to helpmake this bookpossible. Tomy dearfriend,Jeni, whoplanted the seed tomake thisproject come to life; To PeterMarritt, not onlyforeditingthe work, butcontributinghis worthwhile ideas tomake the bookmore complete inform; PaulBond, formakingthe bookcome alive with his artistic coverdesignand layout; Tomy lovely daughter, Courtney, for takingthe time toposefor thefive rites, and Preston Sowell fordoingsuchafinejobphotographingher; Rick Sibley, forcountless hours ofresearchandcompilingdata; Sue Tinkle,foreditingcontribution, andPaige Mooyforherbresearch; To Rene Caisse and the Ojibwa Indiansfor theirknowledge, humility anddedicationin theirworkwiththeseherbs. Most ofall, to Spiritwho hasguidedand shownmemy willingness to be ofservice once again. CONTENTS Caution and Disclaimer Foreword Introduction 1 Chapter 1 The History OfEssiac 7 Chapter 2 Testimonials 23 Chapter 3 Herbs and Healing 35 Chapter 4 The Essiac Herbs 43 Chapter 5 The Essiac Formula 55 Chapter 6 Cancer and Lifestyle 63 Chapter 7 The Nuts and Bolts of Cancer and Essiac Therapy by Dr. Jim Chan 87 Chapter 8 The Possible Missing Ingredient by Christopher Gussa 99 Afterword: Essiac and the Hopi 109 Glossary 113 Bibliography 115 Resources 118 Index 124