TORONTO, CANADA. It is estimated that between 40 and 60 per cent of all Canadians now use "unconventional" therapies, ie. therapies not taught in medical schools to treat their illnesses. The use of alternative and complementary therapies is particularly prevalent among women, people with higher education, and people suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer. In 1993 the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative launched a program to study the efficacy and safety of eight commonly used cancer remedies - Essiac, green tea, Iscador (an extract of European mistletoe), hydrazine sulfate, vitamin-A, vitamin-C, vitamin-E, and Gaston Naessens' remedy 714-X (a nitrated camphor compound). The preliminary surveys covering Essiac and green tea have now been published.

The study group concluded that Essiac is generally safe when used as directed and that there is some weak evidence of its effectiveness. Essiac is a herbal mixture developed by an Ojibwa healer and has been widely used in Canada for over 70 years. The original formula consisted of four herbs - burdock root (Arctium lappa), Indian rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and the inner bark of slippery elm (Ulmus fulva). This formula is today manufactured and sold by the Resperin Corporation. Later work by Rene Caisse and Dr. Charles Brusch led to the addition of four more ingredients (watercress, blessed thistle, red clover, and kelp) to improve the potency and taste of the formulation. This formula is now manufactured and sold as Flor-Essence by Flora Distributors. Proponents claim that Essiac is compatible with conventional cancer therapies. Although the exact proportions of the herbs in Essiac and Flor-Essence are said to be important it is interesting that several of the components on their own have been shown to have cancer fighting properties. Some of the constituent herbs contain anthraquinones, derivatives of which are used in conventional chemotherapy (eg. adriamycin).

Green tea is widely consumed in China and Japan and accounts for 20 per cent of total world tea production. Green tea differs from conventional black tea in that it is not fermented and has been exposed to considerably less oxidation. Green tea is an excellent source of polyphenols (flavonols, flavonoids, and flavondiols). Epidemiologic studies have provided evidence that regular consumption of green tea reduces the risk of cancer particularly of the upper digestive tract. It is believed that the polyphenols are responsible for this effect. Animal studies have shown that green tea may be useful in the treatment of cancer and can actually decrease the size of tumors and reduce the risk of metastasis. The component of green tea believed responsible for this effect is epigallocatechin gallate, a powerful antioxidant. The Breast Cancer Research Initiative group concludes that there is enough evidence of the beneficial effects of Essiac and green tea to warrant further, properly conducted, full- scale clinical evaluations.
Kaegi, Elizabeth. Unconventional therapies for cancer: 1. Essiac. Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 158, April 7, 1998, pp. 897-902
Kaegi, Elizabeth. Unconventional therapies for cancer: 2. Green tea. Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 158, April 21, 1998, pp. 1033-35