Mistletoe
Extracts from this woody plant are injected or infused for cancer treatment. Studies show benefits in reducing various side effects and improving survival.
Mistletoe at a glance
Mistletoe is a woody plant, with different species found in many places. Mistletoe is available in three main varieties:
- European mistletoe (Viscum album)
- Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum)
- American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum)
This summary focuses on European mistletoe. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved mistletoe as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. Mistletoe preparations are most commonly administered as an injection below the skin or as an intravenous infusion.1Mistletoe (Viscum album). Centre for Health Innovation. February 2024. Viewed May 28, 2024.
Some evidence shows improved tumor response or survival with mistletoe extracts, often used along with conventional treatmentsthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Several studies show improved quality of life among people with cancer, often due to fewer side effects of treatments.
CancerChoices ratings for mistletoe
We rate mistletoe on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest. We rate the strength of the evidence supporting the use of mistletoe for a medical benefit, such as improving treatment outcomes or managing side effects.
See how we evaluate and rate complementary therapies ›
Improving treatment outcomes
See MorePeople with cancer treated with fermented mistletoe extract (Iscador) showed lower mortality in two analyses of studies. In another analysis, people with malignant disease treated with anthroposophic mistletoe showed better survival in roughly half of the studies.
For specific cancers, one study for each shows:
- Breast cancer (primary, nonmetastatic): better survival in people receiving conventional treatment and mistletoe injections than those receiving conventional treatment alone
- Lung cancer (stage 4 non-small cell): better survival in those treated with mistletoe and chemotherapy than those treated with chemotherapy alone
- Pancreatic cancer (advanced or metastatic): better survival in people treated with mistletoe injections than people receiving no treatment
Optimizing your body terrain
See MorePeople with tumors treated with mistletoe had higher markers of immune function in a small study. In another small study of healthy people, those receiving increasing doses of mistletoe had higher markers of immune function.
Managing side effects and promoting wellness
See MorePeople with cancer using mistletoe alongside conventional treatment showed improvements in fatigue, sleep, nausea, vomiting, appetite, depression, anxiety, emotional and functional well-being, and quality of life in many studies. In several studies, people with cancer using mistletoe alongside conventional treatment had better counts of white blood cells. A few studies show benefits for pain and one study shows benefits for diarrhea, also for use alongside conventional treatment.
Reducing cancer risk
See MorePeople with malignant disease treated with mistletoe were not found to have a lower risk of recurrence in a review of studies.
Use by integrative oncology experts
See More- Recommended in a clinical practice guideline for consideration
- Used in a few of our program sources
- Used in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Korean medicine
Safety
See More- Moderate caution is needed
- May interact with interferon or interleukin therapies
- Supervision by a medical professional is highly recommended
Affordability and access
See More- Available with considerable difficulty within the US, but widely available in Europe
- Expensive (between $2000 US and $10,000 US per year)
Keep reading about mistletoe
Author
Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.
Reviewers
Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
Dr. Kienle studied medicine in Witten-Herdecke and Göttingen, Germany, and received methodological training at Harvard University in the USA. Her research interests and activities include clinical trials on anthroposophic medicine, mistletoe therapy, eurythmy therapy, placebo effects, clinical research methodology, clinical judgement, single-case study designs, case reporting, cognition-based medicine, systematic reviews on pre-clinical and clinical studies on mistletoe therapy, and reviews on tumor biology, tumor immunology, bacterial vaccine therapy, and system approaches in medicine. Dr Kienle has conducted a health technology assessment report on anthroposophic medicine.
Last update: October 22, 2024
Last full literature review: October 2021
CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.
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References[+]
| 1 | Mistletoe (Viscum album). Centre for Health Innovation. February 2024. Viewed May 28, 2024. |
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