Mistletoe (Viscum album) is celebrated during the holiday season as a romantic symbol that encourages a kiss beneath its berries. However, this semi-parasitic plant has far more to offer than festive cheer.
Mistletoe is one of the most widely studied complementary medicine therapies for cancer treatment and have been used for decades in Europe to support conventional cancer therapies. Preclinical studies show that mistletoe extracts, viscotoxins and mistletoe lectins, have direct killing activity towards tumour cells and enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. This dual action makes mistletoe a promising integrative oncology treatment.
Mistletoe in Cancer Care
Mistletoe therapy can be combined with chemotherapy without reducing the efficacy of the therapy. Mistletoe preparations are often given in parallel with chemotherapy to improve tolerability and to alleviate disease and therapy-related symptoms of chemotherapy. There are many research studies on the combination of mistletoe and chemotherapy showing no indications that chemotherapy given in parallel is weakened by mistletoe preparations but shows synergistic and positive effects.
Benefits of Mistletoe
- Reduce side effects from chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, loss of appetite and fatigue.
- Improve quality of life by alleviating pain, enhancing sleep, and stabilizing emotional well-being.
- Strengthen the immune system and increase white blood cell counts.
Beyond Cancer: Other Therapeutic Uses
While mistletoe is most commonly associated with cancer care, its benefits extend to other conditions.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Improving energy levels and reducing fatigue.
- Lyme Disease: Supporting immune function.
- Arthritis and Osteoarthritis: Relieving pain and enhancing mobility.
These applications highlight mistletoe’s versatility as a therapeutic agent in integrative medicine.
How Mistletoe Therapy is Administered
Mistletoe extracts are most commonly administered subcutaneously (under the skin) 2–3 times per week, rotating injection sites to prevent irritation. In some cases, intravenous administration may be used.
The dosage and frequency are specifically tailored by the physician based on the individual’s response, clinical status, and overall condition.
Conclusion
Mistletoe is far more than a holiday tradition. Its active compounds, particularly mistletoe lectins and viscotoxins, offer significant potential in oncology and beyond. From reducing chemotherapy side effects to enhancing overall well-being. As research continues to uncover its full potential, mistletoe therapy may become an even more valuable tool in the fight against chronic diseases.
Fun Facts
- Viscum album, or European mistletoe, belongs to the family Santalaceae.
- The type of tree it parasitizes influences the strength of viscotoxins and lectins.
References
- Kienle G S and Kiene H. Review article: Influence of Viscum album L (European mistletoe) extracts on quality of life in cancer patients: a systematic review of controlled clinical studies. Integr Cancer Ther, 2010;9:142-157. DOI: 10.1177/1534735410369673
- Piao B K, Wang Y X, Xie G R, Mannsmann U, Matthes H, Beuth J and Lin H S. Impact of complementary mistletoe extract treatment on quality of life in breast, ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer patients. A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. Anticancer Research 2004;24:303-310
- Bock P R, Friedel W E, Hanisch J, Karasmann M and Schneider B. [Efficacy and safety of long-term complementary treatment with standardized European mistletoe extract (Viscum album L.) in addition to the conventional adjuvant oncologic therapy in patients with primary non-metastasized mammary carcinoma. Results of a multi-center, comparative, epidemiological cohort study in Germany and Switzerland]. Arzneimittelforschung, 2004;54:456-466. DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296999
- Friedel W E, Matthes H, Bock P R and Zanker K S. Systematic evaluation of the clinical effects of supportive mistletoe treatment within chemo- and/or radiotherapy protocols and long-term mistletoe application in nonmetastatic colorectal carcinoma: multicenter, controlled, observational cohort study
- Kienle G S, Hamre H J and Kiene H. Anthroposophical medicine: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2004;116:407-408; author reply 408.
- Tröger W, Jezdic S, Zdrale Z, Tisma N, Hamre H J and Matijasevic M. Quality of life and neutropenia in patients with early stage breast cancer: a randomized pilot study comparing additional treatment with mistletoe extract to chemotherapy alone. Breast Cancer, 2009;16:35-45
- Tröger W, Zdrale Z, Stankovic N and Matijasevic M. Five-year follow-up of patients with early stage breast cancer after a randomized study comparing additional treatment with viscum album (L.) extract to chemotherapy alone. Breast Cancer (Auckl), 2012;6:173-180. DOI: 10.4137/BCBCR.S10558
- Tröger W, Galun D, Reif M, Schumann A, Stankovic N and Milicevic M. Quality of life of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer during treatment with mistletoe: a randomized controlled trial. Dtsch Arztebl Int, 2014;111:493-502, 433 p following 502. DOI: 10.3238/ arztebl.2014.0493
- Kim K-C, Yook J-H, Eisenbraun J, Kim B-S and Huber R. Quality of life, immunomodulation and safety of adjuvant mistletoe treatment in patients with gastric carcinoma–a randomized, controlled pilot study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012;12:172
Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only. Persisting fatigue, insomnia, low immune function, night sweats, cravings etc should always be worked up by a physician to rule out other serious diseases or conditions.
