More about Mistletoe

Mistletoe and Cancer are both parasitic
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that directly derives almost all of its nutrition from other flowering plants. By parasitizing other plants, mistletoe has a competitive advantage over many other forms of life because they do not have to compete in soil for their water and nutrient needs.

This description of mistletoe sounds surprisingly similar to how cancer operates. When you look at mistletoe growing on a tree it looks very much like a tumor. Cancer gets all of its nutrition from other cells within the human body and it has a competitive advantage because it does not abide by the same rules as other cells in the body.

Mistletoe as a treatment for cancer
It turns out the mistletoe can be used to effectively treat cancer, even in advanced cases. In North America mistletoe is often considered a “fringe treatment”, yet if you go to Germany it is a mainstream therapy that is well established by the scientific community.

The use of mistletoe dramatically reduces the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation. The effects are so dramatic that some countries have already made this the standard of care for cancer treatment. The use of mistletoe as the new standard of care was of huge financial benefit to these countries because of the significant decrease in complications from chemotherapy and radiation.

Mistletoe application
Although there are several different ways to administer mistletoe, the most common is regular subcutaneous injections. This involves the use of small insulin needles and injecting the mistletoe just under the skin. After injecting the mistletoe lectins the immune system immediately begins to attack the injected fluid resulting in a small red rash around the injection site. This immune activation is an excellent outcome in the context of cancer. By activating the immune system at the site of injection it consequently activates the immune system in the entire body.

Mistletoe Effects
Mistletoe has been shown to stimulate increases in the number and the activity of several types of white blood cells. Immune-system-enhancing cytokines, such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, are released by white blood cells after exposure to mistletoe extracts. Other evidence suggests that mistletoe exerts its cytotoxic effects by interfering with protein synthesis in target cells and by inducing apoptosis.

Just like any cancer therapy it is essential that it is used in the right context. When this therapy is used there will initially be a swelling of the tumor, this is a consequence of the immune activation. If there are any detectable masses contained within the skull, then clearly swelling is not desirable. Mistletoe therapy is contraindicated in patients that have any detectable mass in the brain. It also must be used with caution on patients that are are cachexic and malnourished. The sudden release of cytokines associated with immune activation can worsen the malnourished state.

Benefits of Mistletoe

Inhibition of tumor growth with no damage to healthy tissues
Reduction in pain due to tumors
Better tolerance of chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Prevention of relapses and metastases
Stimulation of bone marrow function
Overall improvement in cancer survival rates

Mistletoe FAQs

What is mistletoe?
The liquid extract of the mistletoe plant has been used as an alternative method to treat cancer for a century. Mistletoe is one of the most widely studied and used complementary therapies for cancer treatment in Europe. There are over 1500 species of the mistletoe plant, but only the European species (Viscum Album) is used for cancer treatment.

Is mistletoe effective for all types of cancer?
Mistletoe can be used in malignant and non-malignant tumors.

Can mistletoe be used alongside chemotherapy, radiation, and conventional immunotherapy drugs?
Mistletoe can be used alongside conventional treatments to offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation such as nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite; and to stimulate bone marrow activity. It can also be used to diminish tumor-related pain and to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence. Each physician trained will evaluate and support each patient with the best treatment process depending on where they are on their cancer journey.

When should mistletoe therapy begin?
Mistletoe Therapy can begin early, before surgery, or even immediately after diagnosis. Since mistletoe therapy can stimulate the immune system, the body will be better prepared for the stress that surgery and treatment can cause on the body.

How long is a patient on mistletoe therapy?
A healthy and robust immune system is an ongoing process. It requires ongoing care and attention. The concept that when a person reaches No Evidence of Disease status and they enter into a watchful waiting period is too passive. Remission is an active process, and most physicians agree that therapy should be ongoing. If a patient had Stage 1 or Stage 2 cancer, therapy can be continued for up to 5 years based on their clinical situation. For Stage 3 and Stage 4 disease it can be continued indefinitely.

How much does mistletoe cost?
Mistletoe treatments cost a fraction of the cost of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, mistletoe is not typically covered by health insurance. The cost is dependent on a physician’s recommendations of extract strength and frequency, averaging $150 – $250/month for the subcutaneous application and $350 – $500/ per IV infusion.

How is mistletoe administered and how often?
Mistletoe is administered subcutaneously (by injection) or intravenously (IV) at a frequency determined by the prescribing physician and based upon the patient’s individual need.

Are there any side effects to mistletoe?
Very few, if any. There are fewer side effects of taking mistletoe than IV vitamin C. There is a desired effect to have a localized reaction in the subcutaneous application – redness, itching, raised area at injection site. With the IV application, patients may experience increase circulation, fever, or warming sensation. Most patients experience a better quality of life because mistletoe stimulates the immune system.

Is there scientific evidence for mistletoe therapy in the treatment of cancer?
There have been over 100 clinical studies done oversees and review articles showing the positive effects on the immune system, cancer cell death, quality of life, and safety. These studies are also showing that patients tolerate chemotherapy better and it’s more effective when taking mistletoe.

Why is mistletoe not available at cancer treatment centers in the United States?
Even though it is used all over the world and effective in treating cancer, until all phases of the Mistletoe Clinical Trial in collaboration with The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is completed, oncologists cannot offer this treatment as standard of care. Mistletoe is listed as an FDA approved substance in the homeopathic pharmacopeia, and as with any drug, can be prescribed off label in the United States by MD’s, DO’s, ND’s, NP’s who are trained in mistletoe therapy.

Are there physicians nearby who I can contact to pursue mistletoe treatment?
You can view a listing of mistletoe providers by state on our website, www.BelieveBig.org, under the Resources tab.

How can I help with Mistletoe Research?
You can donate online at www.BelieveBig.org under the Donate tab. Or you can send a contribution via mail to: Believe Big, 4821 Butler Road, Suite 1D, Glyndon, Maryland 21136. All donations are tax deductible.

Known for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects, HELIXOR is a multi-beneficial therapy used to kill cancer cells and improve the overall quality of life for patients at Hope4Cancer. An extract of European white-berried mistletoe, HELIXOR contains both viscotoxins and lectins, two active compounds that directly affect cancer cells. Viscotoxins selectively damage the cell membrane and cytoskeleton of cancerous cells, while lectins inhibit ribosomes from producing new proteins and therefore stop the reproduction process of cancer cells, blocking tumor growth. Due to its therapeutic properties and ability to regulate pain response, HELIXOR can also be used as a supportive therapy for patients who have undergone traditional cancer treatments. For instance, helping to stimulate production of platelet and white or red blood cell counts that have gone low as a result of chemotherapy, as well as alleviating undesirable side effects (nausea, vomiting, anemia, etc.). HELIXOR is administered as an intravenous dose for ten days, after which patients switch to regular injections three times per week. As a result, patients will experience a slight fever response, with body temperatures increasing .5 to 1 degree Celsius. This response is a desirable effect, indicating immune stimulation. Body temperature and patient reactions are monitored throughout the entirety of the program. https://hope4cancer.com

Mistletoe Clinical Trials

The first Mistletoe clinical trial, in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, is underway in the United States using intravenous Mistletoe.

The Mistletoe clinical trial at Johns Hopkins will be a Phase 1 trial, in which researchers will be testing the drug on a small group of participants to evaluate safety, determine a safe dose, and identify side effects. This is the first step of many research steps before mistletoe can be considered for conventional use in cancer treatment.

Until approved, Mistletoe is listed as an FDA approved substance in the homeopathic pharmacopeia, and as with any drug, can be prescribed off label in the United States by MD’s, DO’s, ND’s, NP’s who are trained in mistletoe therapy.

To find out more about Mistletoe in science and medicine click here.

Also see:
Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health
2 East Congress Street, Suite 900
Tucson, AZ 85701
www.MTIH.org
Doctor Directory: https://my.terrain.network/marketplace/card-grid

Dr. Nasha Winters, ND

Education

Book: Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Dr Nasha Winters

Panel discussion on Mistletoe

Ivelisse Page, founder of Believe Big, interviews a panel of doctors
with common questions patients ask about Mistletoe therapy.

Dr. Paul Faust MD
Dr. Adam Blanning MD
Dr. Steven Johnson MD
Dr. Peter Hinderberger MD
Dr. Mark Hancock MD
Dr. Nasha Winters ND

Timestamps
3:24 – Mistletoe & It’s History in Treating Cancer
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4:25 – Which species of the 1,500 is used specifically in the treatment of cancer?
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4:40 – Is there scientific evidence for the use of mistletoe therapy in cancer?
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5:40 – What are those studies showing in the patients that are actually using it?
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6:36 – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine: Mistletoe Clinical Trial Update
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7:38 – If mistletoe therapy is not FDA approved yet for cancer treatment in the U.S., how are patients able to get treated with mistletoe?
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8:44 – Is Mistletoe therapy effective for all types of cancer?
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9:44 – Why is the training important for Mistletoe therapy?
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11:45 – Why do physicians have to be trained versus just looking in a book to seeing it is helpful for cancer?
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11:42 – How is Mistletoe administered and how often?
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13:24 – How you decide as a physician, which application to use for a patient?
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14: 40 – Are there any side effects using Mistletoe therapy?
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16:58 – What are the active substances in Mistletoe that make it an effective therapy for cancer?
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17:50 – Are there any interactions with any other therapies or drugs? Can it be used along side conventional treatments?
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19:42 – What is your philosophy on how long this therapy is applied?
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21:24 – Can mistletoe be used to help family members with genetic cancers?
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24:14 – Can mistletoe be used to heap with other health issues outside of cancer like autoimmune disease?
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25:15 – Is there a patient story that stands out that you can share from your practice that uses mistletoe therapy?
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28:20 – Second patient story example using mistletoe.
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30:32 – Dr. Hancock – Patients on mistletoe that also got COVID 19
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