Does mistletoe work for cancer?
Few side effects have been reported from the use of mistletoe extracts (see Question 5). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved mistletoe as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition (see Question 6).
Can mistletoe cure breast cancer?
As an anthroposophical medicine, mistletoe is one of the most important herbal drugs and is potentially effective against cancer [18]. Using mistletoe extract for cancer therapy especially breast cancer is recommended due to its minimal side effects and the fact that these side effects are not life threatening.
Is mistletoe an immunotherapy?
Mistletoe first grew in popularity as a cancer treatment in Europe during the 1920s. In more recent history, naturopathic healers and their patients claim mistletoe injections shrink tumors, boost the immune system, and treat cancer symptoms like pain and exhaustion.
What are the side effects of mistletoe?
European mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and other side effects. Short-term, frequent use of European mistletoe might cause liver damage. Injecting European mistletoe beneath the skin can cause fever, chills, allergic reactions, and other side effects.
How does mistletoe fight cancer?
Basic research shows that mistletoe extracts may stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. Studies in humans show that mistletoe treatment may improve symptoms and reduce side effects of cancer treatments. A few studies indicate it may also have some effects on survival.
What does mistletoe do to the body?
Health benefits that have been attributed to mistletoe include improving cardiovascular health, relieving stress and anxiety, and boosting the immune system to help fight off colds and respiratory problems. It is also a popular complementary therapy for cancer treatment in many parts of the world.
How does mistletoe help immune system?
For example, in human studies, mistletoe extract administration has been shown to increase numbers of natural killer cells (NK cells), which are immune cells that fight cancer ( 7 , 8 , 9 ).
Is mistletoe safe to take?
When taken by mouth: European mistletoe is POSSIBLY SAFE when used by mouth in appropriate amounts. Taking three berries or two leaves or less by mouth does not seem to cause serious side effects. However, larger amounts are LIKELY UNSAFE and cause serious side effects.
Can you drink mistletoe tea?
Only European mistletoe can be used therapeutically, as American mistletoe is unsafe. Don’t consume raw mistletoe of any variety, as it can be poisonous and may induce vomiting, seizures, slowed heart rate, and even death.
Is American mistletoe harmful?
Until recent studies were published, the American mistletoe genus, Phoradendron, was widely considered to be extremely poisonous. Swallowing American mistletoe can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset but is not likely to cause serious poisoning if small amounts are unintentionally swallowed.
Is mistletoe good for liver?
Early research suggests that treatment with certain specific European mistletoe extracts (Iscador or Helixor) may improve survival in people with liver cancer.
Can you cook mistletoe?
Desert mistletoe fruit is the only mistletoe fruit that is edible. The mistletoe plants themselves are all toxic. The berries of most species are toxic. The one exception is our local desert mistletoe, Phoradendron californicum, bearing not only edible but highly palatable white to reddish translucent berries.
Can mistletoe help treat cancer?
There have been many studies on the use of mistletoe to treat cancer, including clinical trials with people. Most clinical trials have suggested that mistletoe can be an effective treatment for some types of cancer.
Can mistletoe help treat breast cancer?
Mistletoe may have benefits for people with certain types of cancer . For people with breast cancer , mistletoe may help improve their physical and emotional well-being. One study showed that mistletoe reduced side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, numbness, and the feeling of pins and needles.
What is mistletoe IV therapy?
Mistletoe IV Therapy. Mistletoe or European Mistletoe (Viscum album) is an herbal medicine with a long history of use with cancer patients. Mistletoe Therapy (Helixor, Iscador and Viscosan) is an alternative cancer treatment for all types of cancer or precancerous conditions.
Is mistletoe an herb?
Description: Mistletoe is a bicameral and evergreen medicinal herb that grows on deciduous trees, and it can therefore be relatively easily recognized, and because of the fact that there aren’t many other plants which this herb could be confused with. Bark and leaves of the common mistletoe are greenish-yellow colored.