She said the formula originally came from an Ojibwa Indian medicine man. She named it after the backward spelling of her own last name, Caisse. Burdock root is used in folk medicine to improve digestion, to clean the blood, to increase urination or as a laxative. Laboratory studies have shown some anti-tumor effects. Rhubarb can be a strong laxative.
Sheep sorrel is claimed to be effective against cancer.
Slippery elm has a long, safe history in alleviating sore throats. It is used in many herbal cough drops or teas for sore throats. Caisse used the herbal tea to treat patients with cancer. In 1938 in Canada a bill was introduced to authorize Caisse to treat cancer. Instead, the legislature passed a bill that required her to disclose the formula for Essiac.