Old Ojibway Indian Remedy May Be One of the World¹s Greatest Herbal Discoveri
Monday, June 05, 2006 (03:13:21)

Posted by Cougar

By Leda Fair



In the late 1960¹s, President Nixon declared a ³war on cancer². 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 ²symptoms,² 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 ³scientific study² 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 world¹s 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 1890¹s 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 didn¹t 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 aunt¹s 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 aunt¹s 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.²



Many 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 Rene¹s work. The Commission which looked

at Rene¹s 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 Œfour herbs formula¹ 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 today¹s 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 don¹t

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, (Int¹l Journal of Radiation Biology & M.

Castleman, ³The Healing Herbs²).



Watercress: An aromatic edible wild plant, this superior ³food² 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 ³Medicinal Plants²).



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. 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 Responsibility



Improving 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 Essiac 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

Caisse¹s 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.