Flor-Essence or Essiac medicinal tea: instructions for making

By Cat, May 25, 2017

Another name for this tea is Essiac; it is also available commercially, but I buy a similar herb mix at Swan Valley Herbs in Bigfork, and make my own tea at home. The method is a bit tedious. Like most herbal medicine, the use of this tea is controversial, but I have found it is very good for detoxing and boosting my immune system.

The ingredients in the commercially-made version are (3):

A proprietary blend from aqueous extracts of
certified organic burdock root, certified organic sheep sorrel herb, slippery elm bark, watercress herb, certified organic Turkish rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root, certified organic blessed thistle herb, certified organic red clover blossom

See also: 1. Healing Herbs, Oils and Remedies Menu

Flor-Essence or Essiac medicinal tea: Instructions for making the tea at home

These instructions came with a box of Flor-Essence packets I purchased at a health food store.  The following is from iHerb’s page for a box of those packets (4): “Each packet in this box makes 32 fl oz (1 quart) for a total of 3 quarts of tea when prepared as directed. Once prepared, keep refrigerated and use within 3 weeks.”

See also iHerb’s page on Flor-Essence products (2).

Method:

Use a medium-sized, covered pot (not aluminum), large enough to allow the herbal tea blend to boil vigorously without overflowing.

1. Measure five 8 oz. cups ( 1¼ liter) of fresh, filtered cold (or distilled) water. Do not use fluoridated water. Place in pot, cover and bring to a boil.
2. Remove pot from heat. Gently add the contents of one (1) packet of Flor-Essence dry herbal tea blend (¾ oz./21 g) into the boiling water. Stir and cover.
3. Return pot to heat. Boil for 10 – 12 minutes (rolling boil) covered.
4. Remove pot from heat. Scrape any herbs from inside cover and sides of pot with a spatula and put them back in the liquid.
5. Cover again and let stand at room temperature for 10 – 12 hours.
6. When properly steeped, stir will, cover and heat tea solution to scalding (just before boiling).
7. Let settle for 20 minutes.
8. Strain the liquid through a fine plastic or stainless steel flour strainer by scooping out this clear liquid with a ladle or a cup, leaving the sediment in the original pot. Some sediment is OK, but try to retain mostly liquid. Do not filter.
9. Transfer strained hot tea solution into sterilized, hot, small-mouthed glass Mason jars (not plastic) and close them. Fill and seal one jar at a time.
10. Jars must be refrigerated (do not freeze) and must be kept refrigerated at all times. Discard any opened, un-refrigerated jars.

NOTES:

• If your net result of liquid is less than 32 fl. oz, we suggest using a deeper pot to minimize loss of water due to evaporation during the boiling stage.
• The herbal tea you have prepared contains no preservatives and should be treated as a perishable food.
• Color and taste of prepared herbal tea blend may fluctuate from batch to batch, depending on herbal sources.

Suggested Use

FOR ADULTS:

• Maintenance & Prevention:
• Shake the FlorEssence liquid well before use.-
• Measure out 2 to 2 oz. (28-56 ml) daily at most. Dilute with an equal or double amount of unfluoridated, purified, hot or cold water. Sip slowly.
• For best results, take on an empty stomach in PM prior to retiring.
• Extra Strength:
• Shake the Flor-Essence liquid well before use.
• Measure out 2 oz. (56 ml) once or twice daily at most, depending on individual preference. Dilute with an equal or double amount of unfluoridated, purified, hot or cold water. Sip slowly.
• Take on an empty stomach, in PM prior to retiring and in AM 1 hour before breakfast.
• NOTES:
• As a preventive measure, it is advisable to take 1 to 2 oz (28 – 56 ml) daily in PM on an empty stomach prior to retiring.
• Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

FOR CHILDREN

• Shake the Flor-Essence liquid well before use.
• Maximum daily amount 1½ to 2 oz. (42-56 mil).
• Dilute with equal or double amount of un-fluoridated, purified, hot or cold water. Let sip slowly.
• Give on an empty stomach, half the daily amount in PM prior to retiring and half the daily amount in AM 1 hour before breakfast. Keep out of their reach.

FOR INFANTS:

• Shake the Flor-Essence liquid well before use.
• Maximum daily amount 1 oz (28 mil). Dilute with equal or double amount of un-fluoridated, purified hot or cold water. Let sip slowly.
• Give on an empty stomach, half the daily amount in PM prior to bedtime, and half the daily amount in AM when suitable. Keep out of their reach.

References:

1. Flor-Essence instructions in box of packets of dried herbs.
2. iHerb’s Flor-Essence page: iherb.com/c/flor-essence
3. iHerb page for 17-oz bottle of Flor-Essence: see iHerb product ID FLO-68070 or UPC code 061998680704
4. iHerb page for 16-packet box to make Flor-Essence at home: iHerb product ID FLO-68090 or UPC code 061998680902.