Anyone use Essiac or Flor•Essence?

This question was posted a long time ago, but for what is's worth, here's my experience with ulcerative colitis/IBS and Essiac:

Though I have blood tests and a virtual colonoscopy, as with many people, nothing was found and therefore, no definite diagnosis.

My symptoms current symptoms are:
Bloating
Abdominal spasms
Mild Lower GI pain
constipation or diarrhea
Unbearable fatigue
Flushing that is much like fever-like symptoms normally associated with stomach flu
Mucus in stool (and blood, but seems to be from a hemorrhoid)
Flatulence

I started taking Essiac tea as a last resort. I experienced a near miraculous recovery in terms of energy; by the second day on Essiac, my symptoms had greatly diminished. I have been on it for just over two weeks and am able to function. My stool is still not normal, I occasionally have some spasms and I still experience gas and bloating. I have no GI pain.

I followed the general recipe using the organic 4 herb version and drank 2 ounces 3 X per day the first week and 2 X per day the following week. I did use the 8 herb formula that was pre-made and cannot say if it was better or worse that the freshly brewed tea. I have a sense, however unproven, that the freshly brewed tea is better.

I have cut out sugar almost entirely and can tolerate honey. I eat no red meat and stick to fruits, vegetables, fish and some poultry. I limit wheat and eat rice as a substitute; quinoa seems to be fine. I have limited to the point of nearly eliminating dairy and will reintroduce yoghurt soon. On a side note: I tried using both probiotics in pill form (Jarro live cultures) and yoghurt with active bacteria and neither did anything for my symptoms.

This is the second IBS bout I have had and the first bout was near unbearable. The second bout (current) is not as bad, but that probably because I did something about it before it worsened.

I have found that stress is a factor. Both bouts happened when I was under an unusually high amount of stress, but I should probably explain this. I am a psychotherapist and am aware of my own inner-workings; my level of stress does not have all that much to with being overly busy and has everything to do with the particular stressors as they relate to past trauma, insecurities and anger. Being overly busy combined with particular stressors seems to be the recipe for IBS disaster. When I am stressed, I have a tendency to ignore my diet and to use food to cope with stress and this appears to be what causes flare ups. Regarding food, I have to monitor the amount I eat...and though this may be good advice for all...the less I eat, the better I seem to feel. I have never been one drink a lot of water and I have found that increasing my intake of water is soothing. I have eaten organic for a long time and almost never, currently and previous to IBS, eat processed foods or fast food. I don't drink soda (never liked it much) and by big sin is tobacco/smoking. I have read posts that say tobacco smoking may alleviate symptoms of IBS ( for some it apparently does), but I can't say one way or the other based on my own experiences.