Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My dog became diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (the severe form) at the age of 6, and I'm willing to bet this was due to her dog food. We were feeding her Purina, and it wasn't until recently (and the hard way) that I learned just how terrible most commercial dog food is. Her symptoms included: crusting/scabbing on her nose, limping in back legs, extreme lethargy, depression and loss of interest in playtime/walks, and decreased appetite. She most definitely was not her usual happy and playful self. The recommended treatment for autoimmune disorders such as lupus is prescription steroids to suppress the now out-of-whack and over-reactive immune system. Life expectancy via treatment with steroids is very poor, with 40% of dogs dying within a year by way of organ failure, typically the kidneys. Additionally, once you start steroids, you must administer them for the remainder of the dog's life. Once given, they permanently weaken the immune system. They are expensive on top of that, so many owners unfortunately have to choose between coughing up the money for the drugs or putting their pet down. I was strongly opposed to putting my dog on steroids as I don't think anyone's immune system (human or dog) should be suppressed. Rather, it should be supported so that it can function properly, which is where Essiac comes in. Plus, Western medicine fails miserably when it comes to chronic conditions, so I tend to shy away from it in such cases. It focuses on symptom control and thus rarely ever fixes the root of the problem. The day I received her diagnosis, I immediately switched my dog to a raw diet and supplemented her with Essiac daily. She began showing signs of improvement immediately, although a bit slow. Her limping was the first symptom to go, and disappeared within a few days. With time, her energy levels increased, she appeared more lively and happy, and her crusting/scabbing drastically decreased in severity. I initially had trouble getting her to drink all the tea as she didn't have an appetite, but she now gladly gulps it down, every last drop. She knows what's good for her :) This is the third month since being diagnosed and she continues to improve. She recently started sprinting, which she hasn't done since being diagnosed. We went from going on daily walks to daily runs that are slowly increasing in pace and duration before she begins to fatigue. Although she still isn't completely back to her former self (and may never be) she is doing MUCH MUCH better and her lupus symptoms appear to be under control. And this sure beats giving her steroids. Although I believe both a diet change and Essiac have contributed heavily to her improved health, the Essiac is definitely the main reason behind her significant improvement. About 1.5 weeks after starting her on Essiac, I ran out, and so my dog had to go 4 or 5 days without it before I was able to order a new package from Amazon. During this time, her lupus-related symptoms were showing signs of return: she began showing issues with her legs again; the scabbing on her nose increased; and her energy levels decreased. As soon as I put her back on Essiac, she was back on the road to improvement :) With that said, I will most definitely continue to supplement my dog with Essiac daily for the rest of her time with us. It has worked wonders for our pup and has put her on the road to recovery :) UPDATE (12/16/14) It has been 8 months since my dog first became diagnosed with lupus. I continue to supplement her with Essiac daily. She is alive and well and her energy levels have returned to her former state. All of her symptoms but one have disappeared: she still gets scabbing on her nose that sometimes bleeds. I have tried several different remedies to improve the condition of her nose, including black currant oil, neem oil, coconut oil, homeopathic pellets, rosemary, basil, and pulverized black seed (Nigella Sativa). Black seed seems to have slightly improved the scabbing, but the other remedies have been of no help. I am still experimenting with dosage, however, as black seed has a potent peppery smell and taste and I don't want to overwhelm my dog's meals with it. In the meantime I apply coconut oil to moisturize her nose. It doesn't hurt that she loves the taste.