By Leda Fair
In the late 1960’s, President Nixon declared a ³ war on cancer ². Despite the inception of this campaign to develop cures for cancer, mainstream medicine has made little to no progress in their desperate struggle to win this war. Current trends point out just how ineffective current treatment methods are:
¬ 1,308,000 new cases of cancer, and 607,000 deaths in 1996
¬ Most frequently diagnosed for women  breast cancer
¬ Most frequently diagnosed for men  prostate cancer
¬ Leading cause of cancer death  still lung cancer
¬ Primarily a disease of older people, 71% of new cancers and 80% of deaths occur in people over 60
¬ Increase in size and aging of population has meant a more than 30% increase in new cases in last 10 years
This is the current scenario. We need to look at the alternatives that are available to us. We forget  to our own peril  that on this planet, all physical life TOTALLY depends on plants. As the creatures at the top of the food chain, we humans are more dependent on plants for our physical existence than any other life form here.
Since the beginning of recorded history, there have been countless proven, documented healing methods available to us. A Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, wrote the oldest preserved document on health and herbal healing about 5,000 years ago. The Bible refers to the healing powers of herbs and plants in many books including Genesis and Revelations.
Most herbal remedies are based on the healing qualities inherent in the whole plant. Orthodox medicine deals with the illnesses our bodies suffer by isolating active principles from complex substances, and then combining several of these to form compounds. Sometimes researchers will try to reproduce these individual active principles, or the compounds from chemicals in a laboratory.
These chemical compounds are formed to deal with a specific set of “symptoms,” with no reference to the actual cause of the illness. An additional disturbing aspect of this method of treatment is the side effects these drug compounds can have on the general health of our bodies. These effects can be so devastating that they often appear worse than the illness, especially when an additional compound is prescribed to treat the side effects of the first.Unlike conventional drugs, the medicinal, healing qualities of plants work synergistically with each other, as plants have more than just a single healing component.
As well, some whole plants will enhance the activity of other whole plants when they are taken with each other. In spite of all our research and “scientific study” over the last few decades, we have only just begun to look into the interactive complexities of nature. We have gained only fragments of knowledge about the actions and powers of the plants around us.
In keeping with the concept that we are a part of the whole of nature, and that illness is a sign (or symptom) of a body out of balance, let us look then at a blend of herbs that has been incredibly effective in its actions in helping people regain their health.
Historical Background
Possibly the world’s greatest herbal discovery was found in the small town of Haileybury in northern Ontario. One night, in 1922, at the hospital there, the head nurse, Rene Caisse, was making her rounds. She met an elderly lady patient dying of old age who was being given a bath. Rene noticed an unusual marking on her breast and spoke to her about it. The woman told her the following story:
In the early 1890’s she had come from England to be with her prospector husband in northern Ontario, and one day she noticed a lump in her breast. They were worried, so her husband spoke to the medicine man of the local Ojibway tribe, with whom he had made friends. The medicine man suggested that the wife drink the tea that the Indians used for their own people.
Being skeptical, they decided to travel by foot, canoe and horse, to the general hospital in Toronto, 500 miles to the south, to find out what the problem was. Once at the hospital, their worst fears were confirmed. She did have the serious problem they suspected. As usual, the only recommended treatment available was surgery. Keep in mind that this was 1892. Chemotherapy and radiation were not available. The prospector and his wife had known a friend with the same problem. The friend had accepted surgery, and was now dead. Being more skeptical of this procedure than the Indian remedy, they went back north and the wife started taking the concoction. Within 2 months she began to notice a change, and after a year of taking this tea daily, there was no sign of the disease, nor did it ever return.
Rene persuaded the woman to pass the Indian remedy on to her. She was given the names of 8 different herbs, which Rene wrote down on a piece of paper and put it in her pocket. She didn’t think of it anymore until 2 years later, when her aunt had been diagnosed with a major stomach growth. Her liver was involved too, and the specialists had given up hope. Rene and her aunt’s physician, Dr. Arnold Fisher, decided to try the tea. Rene gathered the herbs from the wild, or bought them from a supply house, brewed the tea, and gave it to her aunt while the doctor monitored. Her aunt’s health turned around in two months and she was declared free of the disease in every area of her body a year later. She lived for another 20 years.
Typical of researchers, Rene and Dr. Fisher started experimenting with the recipe, to make it the best it could be. They wanted to find out which herb was the most effective in reducing tumour sizes, by injecting the individual herbs into the muscle tissue. During this process they also discovered that certain of the herbs needed to be taken orally to assist the cleansing activity. This led to the development of a four-herb formula, which always was administered as: One herb by injection and three by mouth. Over the next few decades, more and more people found out about the tea, and more and more terminally ill patients were being sent to Rene clinic for help. Some of them did not survive, but many others did, living another 15 to 20 years after the doctors had declared them terminal.
During these early years, the remedy came to the attention of the medical authorities. Twice Rene was almost arrested for practicing medicine without a license. However, when the authorities with the arrest warrants understood what she was doing, and that she was not charging for her services, they went away without serving the warrants.
Rene also went to the Passavant hospital in Chicago where she treated and helped 30 terminally ill people. The doctors, who monitored her work there, concluded that Rene treatment ³prolonged life, relieved pain, and broke down the mass of the growths.²Many petitions were signed, one of them even garnering 55,000 names. She had support from people in all walks of life. Nevertheless, in 1942, the government ³officially² stopped Rene’s work. The Commission which looked at Rene’s treatment refused to approve her remedy without full disclosure of the ingredients, and Rene was fearful that her remedy would either disappear or be changed if she disclosed the contents. She had kept the formula secret, and therefore was no longer permitted to treat people.
In 1958, she formed a partnership with Dr. Charles Brusch of Cambridge, MA. He had been the personal physician to President John F. Kennedy. Dr. Brusch was a popular and very well respected physician, with degrees in surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, and psychiatry. It was well-known that he was very open mindedHe was known for his open mindedness about other treatment modalities, and for his use of them in his clinic. When Rene and Dr. Brusch began their partnership, he knew she had begun with eight herbs, and he also knew that the Indians did not know about injections, so they perfected the formula by bringing it as close as they could to the original 8 herbs with which she had started in 1922. The partners worked on the blend to make it as synergistically active as possible, so it could all be taken orally just as the Indians had originally used it. In 1978 Rene Caisse passed away at the age of 91, leaving the full eight-herb formula they had developed, worked on, and perfected to her partner Dr. Charles Brusch.
In 1984, Dr. Brusch was interviewed by an experienced radio producer and broadcaster, Elaine Alexander, from Vancouver, Canada. Elaine aired programs on many controversial alternative healing methods, including a couple on this herbal tea. Based upon listener response, her most popular programs were about sick people who had been taking the tea. . Over the next 2 years, seven 2-hour programs were produced covering every aspect of this incredible healing tea. Elaine and Dr. Brusch became friends. He was impressed by her thorough research of the subject, and her genuine interest. In 1988, they legally became partners pursuing the possibility of making the herbal remedy available to the public as a tea rather than as a medicine.
The great demand created for this tea persuaded Elaine to look for an herbal company with integrity to manufacture and distribute it for her. In 1992, she was introduced to Flora Manufacturing & Distributing Ltd., and signed a contract with them. Flora was well recognized and respected for their stringent quality standards and state-of-the-art technology. The manufacturing facility is certified by Quality Assurance International, a third party organic certification agency. Flora also has contracts with organic growers who supply the highest quality herbs, which are guaranteed for purity and potency.
At this time, many varieties of the four herbs formula’ were emerging on the market, so to avoid confusion, the final formula, as developed and expanded by Rene and Dr. Brusch, was named Flor*Essence. This eight herb Flor*Essence tea is available through most fine health food stores in North America, as well as in many countries around the world.
Research Supports Herbal Tea Profile
The stress caused, in part, by today’s fast-pace life styles, combined with the increased pollution of our air, water and food, makes it almost necessary to cleanse and detoxify the body on a regular basis, in order to avoid developing more serious problems. Major health issues don’t develop overnight. They can take time to be detected. Then, it can take time to identify or diagnose a serious problem. It cannot be corrected in a month or two, especially when using the correcting and balancing activities of natural remedies. Some patience and perseverance is needed to see results when a long-term problem is involved.
The eight herbs in the tea are:
Burdock root (Arctium lappa)
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus rubra)
Turkish Rhubard root (Rheum palmatum)
Red clover blossom (Trifolium pratense)
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)
Kelp (Laminaria digitata)
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
These herbs, so synergistically powerful in cleansing and healing, are very common herbs that grow all over North America. They have been studied extensively and have a wide range of therapeutic properties:
Burdock Root: Certified organic burdock root of the highest quality is used. Active ingredients include 45% inulin, essential oils, vitamins and a broad array of minerals. The Chinese consider burdock to be strengthening and nutritive, making it an excellent tonic. It is traditionally used to cleanse and detoxify. Burdock can help decrease cellular mutations, and protect cells against several toxic chemicals
(K. Morita et al. 1984: Mutation Research 129:1:25).
Sheep Sorrel: A perennial, sheep sorrel is commonly found in meadows and grows up to three feet high, with small reddish flowers. It is the leaves and seeds of this herb that contain the active ingredients. Sheep sorrel provides strong immune support and is a good source of vitamin C. Flora has contracted local farmers to grow organic sheep sorrel exclusively for Flora. Sheep Sorrel was traditionally used to cool fevers, and to aid in the removal of wastes by increasing the urine
(Foster, 1990: ³Medicinal Plants²).
Slippery Elm: This stately tree grows to 60 feet, and is indigenous to North America. Folk medicine ascribes many traditional uses to slippery elm bark, which contains large amounts of mucilage. It is especially noted for its property of soothing inflammatory irritation and strengthening all the digestive organs. Slippery Elm is also recognized by the American Food and Drug Administration.
Turkish Rhubarb: The thick, branching root of this large leafy perennial is harvested in its fourth year of growth. Chinese physicians have employed it since antiquity, both internally and externally. The root is rich in iron, helps to normalize bowel movements, and is considered a safe and effective laxative.
Blessed Thistle: As the name implies, this healing herb has been a blessing to humanity for centuries. It is prized for its bitter properties. Turkish Rhubarb and Blessed Thistle studies have shown that these herbs normalize the flow of digestive secretions, relieving indigestion and liver congestion symptoms and normalizing bowel movements. They are also anti-bacterial
(Foster, 1990: ³Medicinal Plants²).
Red Clover: It is a blood purifier and facilitates the elimination of wastes and toxins through the skin, kidneys and bowels. Red Clover has been used by many cultures to treat degenerative diseases, as well as other serious illnesses. During additional research, four anti-tumor substances have been found
(Dr. J. Hartwell, NCI, Lloydia 3:97).
Kelp: Used traditionally for the nutritive benefits of its abundant minerals, kelp is a great source of iodine, which helps regulate energy levels. The alginates in kelp protect against radiation by-products such as Strontium 90, plutonium, and cesium and the diseases that can be a result of this radiation,
(Int’l Journal of Radiation Biology & M. Castleman, “The Healing Herbs”).
Watercress: An aromatic edible wild plant, this superior “food” is a rich source of chlorophyll, vitamins A and C, and many minerals, including iron and iodine. Watercress has been found to have value in treating arthritic complaints and some circulatory problems
(Foster, 1990 “Medicinal Plants”).
Clinical research completed by the Russian Ministry of Health on the toxicology and pharmacology and effectiveness of Flor*Essence, have shown very positive results. The M.D. Anderson Institute at the
University of Texas, during a North American survey, found that some seriously ill patients who were using the tea were being helped in many positive ways. Other studies have revealed impressive antioxidant qualities in the tea.
Since this is an herbal tea, it works gently, but the proper amounts must be taken on a consistent basis. Each individual responds differently to the remedy depending on the severity of his or her problem. Factors such as lifestyle, exercise, diet, other medicine or treatments, and spiritual, emotional and mental aspects of life can also affect the results.
An individual may experience many indicators, which act as positive signs that the tea is beginning to help. Sleep may improve. The tea is a natural sedative and calms the body. Elimination via the bowel and urinary tract may improve or normalize. Pain has been known to reduce or disappear altogether. In many instances the appetite improves and people derive more pleasure in eating. Some experience increased energy levels or heightened mental outlook, giving a sense of ³well-being². In many cases, standard test results, although not always conclusive, may also show improvement.
Our Health is Our ResponsibilityImproving your diet is an important step in the process of taking back your health. This means eating more natural foods, with a focus on vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits. It is also imperative to avoid pre-prepared foods and beverages, foods made with white or brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, white flour, hydrogenated fats deep fried foods and ³fast foods².
Next, looking at the way we live, how stressful our jobs are, how much exercise we get, and how often we slow down to ³smell the roses along the way² are all essential to living a full, healthy and happy life. A concept that may not be understood by some is that our spiritual health, our mental well being and the state of our emotions can have an incredible effect on the health of our physical bodies. When looking at the overall picture of health, we need to seriously consider all of these positive habits
We have a right to access the plants and herbs that God put on the earth to be our food and medicine. We have a right to healing methods that do not have devastating side effects like baldness, debilitating nausea or diarrhea. These rights are not something we can safely leave in the hands of anyone else, no matter how much they may care, nor how much education they may have.
References: K. Morita et al, 1984: Mutation Research 129:1:25
M. Castleman 1991: The Healing Herbs
D. Schar 1993: Thirty Plants that can Save Your Life
Foster, 1990: Medicinal Plants Swanston-Flatt et al. 1989: Diabetic Research 10(2): 69-73
Bulletin of the world Health Organization 1989, 67(6): 613-8 Dr. J. Hartwell, NCI, Lloydia 3:97
Additional Reading:
Nutritional Herbology, Mark Pederson, Pederson Publishing (1987)
Guide to Medicinal Plants, Paul Schauenberg, Keats Publishing (1990)
My Healing from Breast Cancer, Barbara Joseph MD, Keats Publishing (1996)
The Report, Richard Thomas, Alternative Information Network (1994)
About the author:
Over the last 10 years, Leda M Fair has taught thousands of people how to become responsible for their own health. She has carried on Rene Caisse’s tradition and continued by Elaine Alexander, educating people about the many benefits of Flor*Essence over the telephone, in interviews and seminars and now by e-mail over the Internet. If you have questions about this tea, or about other Flora products that can assist you in recovering your health, please contact Ms. Fair at: lfa-@florahealth.com or by calling 1-888-436-6697.
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