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Essiac? 4 herb or 8 herb?

4K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  w00f 
#1 ·
Hi there, I am Mojo's mom!! I have been writing about him on the general forum. I have been researching Essiac and the 4 herb sites say they are the true formula, as do the 8 herb sites. From what I gather, I think the 4 herb is the original, but can anyone please tell me which is better?? I want to get it today if I can find a local health food store that carries it.

He either has lymphoma or thymoma, and is on prednisone until the rest of the diagnostic tests are performed next week; he is on a complete home cooked diet and is large- 112lbs...so any advice you can give me on Essiac will be so very very appreciated!!! He is already getting Omega 3's/fish oil, his diet is high protein/veggie and no sugar/carbs except for what he is getting from the veggies and a small amount of fruit, no grains whatsoever, so any other supplements you could point me in the direction of would be most appreciate!!! Mojo, like most Goldens, is MY LIFE and my whole heart, I love him so much that I want to give him the best chance he can to fight!!!

Thank you!!!!

Mary and Mojo :)
 
#2 ·
I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, but Essiac is ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. It's on the FDA's list of fake cancer "cures" to avoid.

Studies of it have shown that it makes no change in cancer outcomes. In higher doses, it's actually poisonous.

I'm sorry to come out so strongly against something you're obviously curious about. I lost a dog to an aggressive form of lymphoma that was so fast moving we barely had time to treat at all, so I completely understand the desperation of wanting there to be something that can help. At the same time, I don't want you to choose something that might do a lot more harm than good.

An example that illustrates this point for me is something that happened to a friend of mine. He was diagnosed with leukemia, and in addition to his traditional treatment (chemo) he sought out the help of a well-respected traditional Chinese herbalist. He was put on a regimen of "cancer fighting" herbs. An allergic reaction to the herbs led to pneumonia, which almost killed him. Fortunately, they got him past that crisis, and he obviously stopped taking the herbs. Now, twelve years later, he's still in remission.

The treatments your vet and oncologist will offer are the ones that have been through careful testing, the ones that have been demonstrated to be effective against the type of cancer your dog has. Supplements, unless there's actually evidence in their favor (like there is with fish oil), can do more harm than good.
 
#4 ·
I totally appreciate your straightforwardness! I really do. I am sorry about your Golden, it is heartbreaking and terrifying and I would honestly give my life to save him, and sometimes in that desperation one will try anything!! So thank you. I have read and read and read so much about it, I wouldn't want it to have a deleterious effect at all, so I will think twice about it now. My sister has stage 4 breast cancer, this is her 3rd recurrence, and she was encouraged by so many people to try Essiac and thankfully she didn't; it came out shortly after that it can actually increase breast cancer cell growth. Oh my poor special boy. I just wanted something holistic to give him this weekend until we can get back in to the onco. UGH.
 
#5 ·
Thanks. I was a little afraid to write the post because I felt like I was throwing your hopeful feelings back in your face. I'm glad the post came across in the spirit it was written: an attempt to help from somebody who's been through aggressive lymphoma with a deeply loved dog.

I did see that one study in which Essiac correlated with increased breast cancer growth. I'm not sure it's conclusive that Essiac was the cause of the increased cancer growth, but it certainly undermines the idea that it cures it. That was the nurse's initial claim: that Essiac tea cured her breast cancer. So it seems to me that the whole thing is based on a false snake oil style claim.

I'm assuming you are waiting for a biopsy to come back from the lab with a conclusive diagnosis? Or are you waiting for the biopsy to be taken in the first place. Just so you know, if you keep him on prednisone for more than a few days, you will reduce the chance that chemo will work, if you end up going that route. I hope your vet has told you this. If not, you need to get to an oncologist, ASAP.

Is there another thread for your boy asking about cancer support and ideas? If not, maybe start one. An unfortunately high number of owners on this forum have been through lymphoma (not sure about thymoma), so there are lots of ideas and experiences out there.
 
#6 ·
The FDA doesn't always have your best interest in mind. Everyone should make their own decisions on how they want to go about treatment. Please read and think for yourself. i guarantee you chemo and radiation have killed thousands more than all alternative treatments combined. If you are interested in essiac tea, this page has some good information on treating pets.
 
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