This tea is prepared with only a blend of four herbs:  Burdock Root, Turkey Rhubarb Root, Sheep Sorrel and Slippery Elm Bark.   

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) - This herb is the best known for its beneficial effect on the skin. It increases circulation to the skin and helps to detoxify (cleanse) the epidermal tissues. Many users report exceptional beauty and glow of the skin from its use. "Some of the conditions which may benefit from the root are: psoriasis, eczema, acne, boils, sties, carbuncles, ulcers of the stomach..." Similar to garlic, the root has been reported to destroy bacteria and fungus cultures. Anti-tumor properties have also been noted. Nagoya University researchers in Japan found that the root helps reduce cell mutations.   
Another beneficial feature of this root is its action as a "blood purifier." This term means the formula helps eliminate toxins for the blood and lymphatic system. Its action is also reported to work on the respiratory and urinary systems. The liver, gall bladder, kidneys, and digestive system benefit from the properties of Burdock Root. It may also help with elimination of excess fluids from the body. 

Burdock Root is rich in vitamins B-complex and E. Its trace minerals include potassium, phosphorous, chromium, cobalt, iron, magnesium, silicon, zinc and sodium.

Because of its diuretic action, conditions of arthritis, rheumatism, and sciatia may be improved. Many users report a rapid decrease in swollen ankles even if the condition hasn't responded well to other treatments.

Burdock Root contains inulin (not to be confused with insulin) which helps regulate sugar (glucose) in metabolism. Diabetics may be helped and Inulin has also been shown to possess exceptional restorative properties. It increases immunity by improving the efficiency of white blood cells.

Turkey Rhubarb Root (Rheum palmatum) - This root has been used in China for more than 2,000 years! Turkey Rhubarb has impressive detoxifying properties, especially for the liver. The root also has antibiotic, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor properties. Although the original formula called for Indian Rhubarb Root (Rheum officianale), that particular variety typically can't be obtained in the USA without chemical contamination. Turkey Rhubarb is a good substitute. 

Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) - Carotenoids, a component of Sheep Sorrel, are present at a concentration of approximately 8 - 12%. Beta carotene (a strong antioxidant member of the carotenoids) is converted to Vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A has been shown to strengthen the immune system by aiding production of white blood cells. White blood cells are what attack many of the body's harmful intruders, including cancer.

Sheep Sorrel is rich in Vitamin A, B complex, C, D, K, and E. Its minerals include significant levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, silicon, sulphur, zinc, manganese, iodine, and copper.

Sheep Sorrel is also rich in chlorophyll, which increases oxygen content in the blood. High levels of blood oxygen can increase the body's action against many invasive conditions. Research at the Linus Pauling Institute and a M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital has shown chlorophyll enhances the body's immunity against certain carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) and has been shown to strengthen the immune system. According to these studies, it appears to be effective against chromosome damage -- which is considered to be a precursor to cancer.

Sheep Sorrel is rich in potassium oxalate. It aids digestion, and has been reported to relieve stomach hemorrhage and jaundice.

Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus fulva) - This herb's main constituent is mucilage. Mucilage is a gum dissolved in the bark's juices. This material has extraordinary cleansing properties. It has been reported to reduce the pain of ulcers--the mucilage coats any area it passes through. Slippery Elm Bark has a lubricating property which helps protect membranes linings and joints. Relief of inflamed areas is commonly reported. An antibiotic and anti-microbial effect has also been reported along with an ability to remove toxins from the body. 

Ojibwa Tea of Life is pure, non-irradiated, certified organic or wildcrafted.

These herbs are certified organically grown or ethically wildcrafted. One of the reasons that herbs cannot be standardized is that there is no easy way to do this. The same herbs can be grown and processed with the same care, yet have a different chemical composition as verified by chemical analysis (chromatography). Air quality, altitude and soil conditions affect the potency of the herbs. These herbs are not fumigated or sprayed with toxic substances, as are most imported herbs and many that are grown in this country.

Quality vs. Quantity

You may find cheaper herbs, but are they a better choice? Were they grown and processed by people dedicated to preserving the optimum potency and biological action after harvest? Is using five times as much of a cheaper herb to make a tea the same as using less of a quality herb? No. Lesser grade herbs are sometimes so inactive that even large amounts may lack the medicinal constituents.

Why “certified” organic?

Today there are hundreds of synthetic poisons available to agriculturists. Why put a toxically sprayed herb into your body? Years ago this was not a concern but now many health conditions may be from affects of pesticides themselves!

Brewing The Herbs

Herbs should be natural and unadulterated -- organically grown or ethically wildcrafted -- so taste and color may vary slightly from batch to batch. For example, herbs grown in Washington state taste different from those grown in California! Sheep Sorrel's taste varies greatly from sweet to mellow depending on the growing area, and can even "deepen" and develop a smoother flavor after a few days in the refrigerator. Also, the amount and appearance may vary from bottle-to-bottle. Distilled water is best for brewing the essiac formula. A lower standard of purity would decrease effectiveness of this product. With today's high water-pollution levels, city tap water, bottled spring, or even "purified" drinking water can often leave much to be desired.

This decoction should be prepared with stainless steel vessels and instruments. Stainless steel, while much more costly than other metals, is the most sanitary and nonreactive. No harmful preservatives should be used. Preparation must be meticulous. Herbs are light-sensitive, so amber-colored glass bottles should be used to retain maximum potency and value. 

Many users take the decoction as a "preventative" tonic, even if they are in good health -- they want to stay in good health. It must be remembered that each of us has a different level of wellness. For example, a smoker will have a different accumulation of toxins than a non-smoker. Time to see results will vary with each user. Depending on your specific conditions, this could take as long as a year, although the majority of users report significant results within the first week.

Be reasonably patient when waiting to notice effects from taking the decoction, allow at least 60 days for a fair evaluation. Surprisingly, there have been no known side effects in a 50 year period.

Brewing Directions:

• Bring water to boil in pot 

• Stir in herbs and cover 

• Boil in 10 minutes 

• Remove from Heat and stir.  Cover and let sit 8-10 hours at room temperature. 

Strain through fine stainless steel mesh colander.  Funnel liquid into clean bottles and cap.  Tighten cap after cooling.  Refrigerate

Directions for Use:

Shake herbal tea to mix well.  Add 2 fluid oz. tea to equal amount bottled fresh spring water or distilled water.  Do not use aluminum as herbs are fragile to absorption.

Preventative or Tonic:

• Measure out 1 to 2 Ozs. once daily 

• Dilute with an equal amount boiled hot water 

• Sip slowly 

• For best results take in early a.m or late p.m. on an empty stomach

Active Illness:

• Measure out 2 oz two times daily 

• Dilute with an equal amount boiled hot water 

• Sip slowly 

• Take on an empty stomach in late p.m., and 1 hour before breakfast

Maximum Strength:

• Measure out 2 oz three times daily 

• Dilute with an equal amount boiled hot water 

• Sip slowly 

• When improvement is stable, cut back to twice daily