There is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat cancer. It’s called mistletoe, and it’s actually pretty common in the United States. In fact, if you’ve ever walked under a sprig of it in the middle of winter, then you’re already familiar with its healing properties! However, do you know about mistletoe and breast cancer? Or, mistletoe and prostate cancer?
Mistletoe and Breast Cancer… and Prostate Cancer
Mistletoe has been proven by multiple studies to have powerful anti-tumor effects on both breast and prostate cancer cells. But what makes mistletoe so effective at fighting cancer? It all comes down to one thing: mistletoe extracts contain special compounds called lectins that are able to bind to cancerous cells and target them directly.
The unique thing about lectins is they don’t just kill off bad guys—they also help build up good ones by increasing immune system function and restoring tissue health. This means that when you take mistletoe extract with your daily supplements or medications (which is recommended), not only will you be less likely to get sick from other infections such as colds and flu during treatment but you’ll also be more likely than average people not to develop cancer at all!
How Mistletoe is Administered
Injection or intravenous administration, both of which are permitted in several European nations, is the subject of the majority of research examining mistletoe’s effects on cancer outcomes.
Typically, mistletoe extract is injected under the skin two to three times each week. The course of treatment could last for weeks or even years.
The Food and Drug Administration has not given mistletoe extract approval for usage in the United States, despite the fact that it is used as an alternative cancer treatment in some European nations.
As a result, prescription mistletoe products are not offered in the US.
Mistletoe extracts are among the most often prescribed cancer treatments in Europe. The majority of mistletoe prescriptions are written in German-speaking nations.
The kind of mistletoe, the type of tree it grows on, and the season in which it is picked all affect the goods made from mistletoe. Water-based solutions or a solution that contains both alcohol and water are used to create mistletoe extracts.
In cancer patients, mistletoe extracts are frequently utilized as adjuvant therapies, which means that they come after more conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy.
Helixor, Iscador, Iscador Qu, Lektinol, Cefalektin, Eurixor, ABNOBAviscum, and Abnoba-viscum Quercus are examples of commercially available formulations of European mistletoe extracts.
How Effective is Mistletoe for Cancer?
Mistletoe extract has been widely researched in people, in contrast to many other complementary cancer treatments. In fact, the effects of mistletoe extract on cancer patients have been studied in more than 50 clinical trials.
According to certain studies, mistletoe may help people with certain cancers live better, experience fewer adverse effects from their treatments, live longer, and have better symptom control.
Nevertheless, not all studies have demonstrated a benefit, and some scientists have questioned the reliability of the available data.
Analyzing the Research
According to an analysis of 26 trials, mistletoe extract dramatically improved quality of life, including pain and nausea, for cancer patients when compared to placebo therapies.
However, the researchers found that the reviewed studies had a high probability of bias.
On the other hand, a two-part evaluation of 28 trials revealed that properly conducted studies revealed little to no effect of mistletoe treatment for quality of life or survival in patients with a variety of cancer types, including colorectal, lung, and breast malignancies.
Another Study
Another study examined the impact of the prescription mistletoe extract drug Iscador on cancer patients’ survival.
Iscador improved survival when administered as an adjuvant treatment, particularly in women with cervical cancer, according to the study, which included 32 research.
Iscador-related outcomes from a 2013 randomized controlled trial were similarly promising.
220 patients with advanced metastatic pancreatic cancer who were solely getting supportive care were included in the trial.
The findings revealed that those who received Iscador lived an average of two months longer than those who received a placebo and had less disease-related symptoms, such as discomfort, nauseousness, diarrhea, anxiety, and exhaustion.
Research on Breast Cancer
In a 319-woman research, individuals with non-metastatic breast cancer were divided into two groups: those who just received standard cancer treatment (chemotherapy), and those who also received mistletoe extract.
At 12 months, the mistletoe and standard treatment group suffered worsening symptoms while the patients who received both treatments saw improvements in their physical functioning, tiredness, and sleep patterns.
Iscar, a mistletoe extract product, was tested in a U.S. trial alongside the chemotherapy medication Gemcitabine in 2007, but the results have not yet been made public.
The undisclosed trial focused on non-small cell lung cancer patients for whom chemotherapy had failed after one round.
Researchers point out that many of the completed studies have significant flaws and that their results may not be credible, despite the fact that some of these results imply that mistletoe may be helpful in the treatment of specific tumors.
Deeper Research is Needed
To completely comprehend the effects of mistletoe extract on cancer patients and determine whether it may be suggested as an alternative cancer therapy, further rigorous research are required.
Consult your oncology team if you have cancer and want to learn more about mistletoe’s ability to treat cancer.
These medical professionals are more knowledgeable about your condition and course of therapy, and they may advise you on the appropriateness of using mistletoe or other complementary or alternative therapies in your particular situation.
Does Mistletoe Cause Side Effects?
Mistletoe extract adverse effects have often been mild and not seriously life-threatening as described in clinical investigations. The most common side effects have included:
- Headache
- Chills
- Fever
- Elevated WBC
- Soreness at the injection site
In a small 2019 trial, mistletoe extract treatment was found to be safe and unrelated to side effects in cancer patients who also had autoimmune illnesses such Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and ulcerative colitis. These products include Iscador and Helixor.
Large doses of mistletoe dietary supplements, especially teas, can, however, have fatal and serious side effects.
These items aren’t the same as commercially accessible, doctor-prescribed formulations like Iscador.
In addition, mistletoe plants and berries are dangerous to humans and should not be consumed, even if mistletoe extract is not frequently linked to harmful side effects when administered in therapeutic settings.
As was previously indicated, despite the fact that mistletoe extract is frequently used to treat cancer in some parts of Europe, prescription injectable mistletoe medications like Iscador are not FDA-approved and are not offered in the United States.
Mistletoe may interact with other medicines and cause additional, less frequent adverse effects like low blood pressure and a slowed heartbeat.
Before ingesting any mistletoe products, it is imperative to speak with your oncology staff.
Consult Your Oncologist
Mistletoe contains several compounds that can interfere with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, so we recommend speaking with your oncologist before taking mistletoe supplements or drinking any mistletoe tea. The American Cancer Society also recommends avoiding any mistletoe tea that has been prepared without boiling or steeping in hot water first.
Read more:
Biological activity of mistletoe: in vitro and in vivo studies and mechanisms of action – PMC
Mistletoe: From Basic Research to Clinical Outcomes in Cancer and Other Indications – PMC
Mistletoe (European) | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center