Mistletoe Therapy

A Breakthrough in Integrative Oncology.

Mistletoe (Viscum Album) has been known since ancient times to be not only a magic plant, but also a healing, holy plant.

It is one of the most widely studied complementary and alternative medicine therapies for Cancer. In European countries extracts made from the mistletoe plant are among the most prescribed therapies for cancer patients.

It was not until the 1920s that Austrian philosopher-scientist Rudolf Steiner, PhD applied the usage of mistletoe as a cancer therapy after noticing a parallel between the parasitic nature of the plant and the parasitic invasion of the body by cancer.

“Real medicine can only exist when it penetrates into a knowledge which embraces the human being in respect to body, soul and spirit” – Rudolf Steiner

It is a semi-parasitic plant, because it works in symbiosis with the host trees, like apple, oak, maple, elm, pine and birch but doesn’t impact these trees in any negative way.

History

For centuries, Mistletoe has been considered a plant that increases life and fertility. It was used to treat epilepsy, hypertension, atherosclerosis, asthma and menopausal problems. According to custom, people can share a true love’s kiss beneath the mistletoe and it is also believed that such a kiss can mend a broken heart.

Similarity – Mistletoe and Cancer

Autonomy: The Mistletoe emancipates itself from the normal biological rhythms in nature to which other plants are subjected, and thereby asserts its autonomy, just like a malignant tumor.
Parasitic nature: It is a half parasitic plant growing on host trees but in many aspects, it is independent of the host. Cancerous cells are like a parasite, deriving nutrition from the human host but independent of the organism.
Indefinite growth: Mistletoe has an inherent tendency to indefinite growth and proliferation in its leaves, flowers and berries. It has a continuous life cycle which has correspondence to continuous unhampered, unlimited growth of cancer. The stalks and leaves of the mistletoe grow on all sides and in all directions just like cancer grows in all directions. The upper and lower surfaces of a pair of leaves of the mistletoe are undifferentiated like an undifferentiated carcinoma.
Death: The Mistletoe dies only after the host tree dies or when the host tree no longer supplies adequate nourishment.
Potassium: The Mistletoe is rich in potassium, more than in the host tree; cancerous tissue is also rich in potassium.

Mistletoe, the Medicinal plant

A parasite normally lives at the cost of the host tree and often damages it – like cancer in the human body. Such is not the case with Mistletoe. The branches of the host tree on which Mistletoe grows are sustained longer than the other branches. It actually helps to devour the ‘tumor-like’ protuberances or excrescences which occur on the host tree on which it grows. In fact, it grows in those places where these proliferative growths appear and promotes a sort of healing process.

Cancer Treatment

Mistletoe preparations to treat cancer are made of fermented aqueous extracts of the freshly harvested white berried Mistletoe (Viscum album) grown on different host trees. Mistletoe products are named according to the type of host tree on which it grows. The pharmacological components comprise of: Lectins, Viscotoxins, Flavonoids, Polysaccharides, Oligosaccharides and Alkaloids.

Mode of Action

Mistletoe extracts have been shown to kill cancer cells in the laboratory, and to stimulate the immune system. They have been shown to prevent growth of new blood vessels needed for tumours to grow.

Immunomodulatory effect: Supports and strengthens the immune system

Cytotoxicity: Direct action on the cancer cells causing cell death (Apoptosis).

Reduction of side effects (Chemotherapy & Radiation): DNA stabilizing effect in peripheral blood mononuclear cells resulting in significant protection from immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy.

Anti-angiogenesis: Inhibits the growth of new vasculature of the tumour.

Salutogenesis: Focuses on supporting human health and well-being.

Indications of Mistletoe Therapy

Treatment of all malignant and benign tumours either as a primary therapy to provide immune stimulation or as an adjuvant therapy along with chemotherapy and radio-therapy.
Preventively, in precancerous conditions.
Treatment of inoperable tumours, recurrences and metastases; in terminal cases as it has a palliative action.

Benefits of Mistletoe Therapy

In clinical studies in the course of supportive / adjunct treatment in addition to conventional oncologic therapies Mistletoe showed:

1. Improvement in Quality of life
Increase in appetite, weight, improved stamina / vitality to carry out normal functions, normalisation of sleep.
Improvement of the mood, reduced depressive states.

2. Inhibition of tumour growth with no damage to healthy tissues and reduction in the pain due to tumours.

3.Improvement of Immunological parameters:
Increase in red blood cells, haemoglobin, white blood cells and platelets.

4. Better tolerance to Chemotherapy, Radiation, Target therapies:
:Most side effects and adverse drug reactions like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain and weakness are greatly reduced.

5. Prevention of Relapses and Metastases.

6. Stimulation of bone marrow function.

7. Overall improvement in Survival of cancer patients.

8. Better Palliative care:
Reduced cancer fatigue, relief from cancer related pains, reduction in infections, and generally, feeling better.