Mistletoe for Cancer
Mistletoe for Cancer: What It Is and How It May Help
Author
Olivia Pearman is an experienced researcher who is passionate about access to scientific information. She has over a decade of research experience with a PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master’s from the Yale School of the Environment, and a Bachelor of Science from Clemson University. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in translating research for all audiences and is thrilled to work with CancerChoices to help make scientific knowledge available for everybody.
Clinical reviewer
Dr. Sarah Soles completed her naturopathic medical training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. During her internship on the adjunctive cancer care shift, she learned the immense value of combining naturopathic approaches with conventional cancer treatments. Dr. Soles went on to complete a two-year residency in naturopathic cancer care at the Integrated Health Clinic. She continues to help patients in all stages of their cancer journey—from screening and prevention to active treatment or maintaining a remission. She is also the research director for the Knowledge in Naturopathic Oncology Website and a contributing author to the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology: A Desktop Guide to Integrative Cancer Care.
Last update: May 6, 2026
Mistletoe for cancer: what you need to know
- Mistletoe is a woody plant and its extracts are most commonly administered as an injection below the skin or as an intravenous infusion.
- Mistletoe may improve quality of life among people with cancer, often by reducing side effects of treatments.
- Limited evidence shows improved tumor response or survival with mistletoe extracts, often used along with conventional treatments.
- Supervision by a medical professional is highly recommended because of potential for allergic reactions and interactions with other treatments.
- Mistletoe is not a standalone treatment for cancer; it is a complementary therapy used alongside standard medical care to support treatment and/or well-being.
What is mistletoe?
Mistletoe is a woody plant, with different species found in many places including European mistletoe (Viscum album), Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum), and 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. Mistletoe has demonstrated some antitumoral properties in laboratory settings2Harmsma M, Ummelen M, et al. Effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts Iscador on cell cycle and survival of tumor cells. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2006; 56(6A), 474–482. and has been shown to have immunostimulatory effects.3Büssing A. Immune modulation using mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts Iscador. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2006;56(6A), 508–515 Mistletoe is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Korean medicine.4dela Cruz JF, Kim YS, Lumbera WM, Hwang SG. Viscum album var hot water extract mediates anti-cancer effects through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 human hepatocarcinoma cells. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2015;16(15):6417-21.
Some evidence shows improved tumor response or survival with mistletoe extracts, often used along with conventional treatments. Several studies show improved quality of life among people with cancer, often due to fewer side effects of treatments.
Safety
- Supervision by a medical professional is essential.
- Potential contraindications are existing fever or infection, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, and organ failure. The safety for use of mistletoe in those with autoimmune conditions or under immunosuppressive therapy is unclear. Caution and close supervision is required when using mistletoe in those with primary brain cancer, spinal cord tumors, or brain metastases due to the risk of increased intracranial pressure.
- Mistletoe has potential interactions, consult with your healthcare provider before adding to your regimen.
- Fever and redness or irritation at the injection site are the most common side effects for subcutaneous administration of mistletoe extracts and are generally mild.
See full safety details, side effects & drug interactions →
How mistletoe may help people with cancer
Strength of evidence rating
We rate the strength of the evidence with 0=no evidence, 1=weak evidence, 2=modest evidence, and 3=good evidence. Read more about our method in detail here ›
Improving treatment outcomes
See MoreInsufficient and conflicting evidence for better survival among people with cancer treated with mistletoe extract. Some studies have shown clinical benefit or better survivability for people with breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, osteosarcoma, and gynecological cancers, while other studies have shown no effect.5Loef M, Walach H. Survival of Cancer Patients Treated with Non-Fermented Mistletoe Extract: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2022;21:15347354221133561; Horneber MA, Bueschel G, et al. Mistletoe therapy in oncology. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD003297; Kienle GS, Glockmann A, et al. Viscum album L. extracts in breast and gynaecological cancers: a systematic review of clinical and preclinical research. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research. 2009 Jun 11;28:79.
Managing side effects
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.6Loef M, Paepke D, Walach H. Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Mistletoe Extracts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2023;22:15347354231198074; Kienle GS, 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. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2010 Jun;9(2):142-57. In several studies, people with cancer using mistletoe alongside conventional treatment had better counts of white blood cells.7Pelzer F, Tröger W, Nat DR. Complementary treatment with mistletoe extracts during chemotherapy: safety, neutropenia, fever, and quality of life assessed in a randomized study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018 Sep/Oct;24(9-10):954-961; Kim KC, Yook JH, et al. 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 Oct 3;12:172. A few studies show benefits for pain.8Tröger W, Galun Det al. Quality of life of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer during treatment with mistletoe: a randomized controlled trial. Deutsches Arzteblatt International. 2014 Jul 21;111(29-30):493-502, 33 p following 502.
Optimizing your body terrain
Available studies show higher markers of immune function for people with tumors treated with mistletoe extract.9Büssing A. Immune modulation using mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts Iscador. Arzneimittelforschung. 2006 Jun;56(6A):508-15; Huber R, Lüdtke H, et al. Safety and effects of two mistletoe preparations on production of Interleukin-6 and other immune parameters—a placebo controlled clinical trial in healthy subjects. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011 Nov 24;11:116. However, higher immune activation may not always be beneficial; always consult with a physician before starting mistletoe extract treatment.10McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016; EfficaSafe. 2026. Accessed Jan 28, 2026.
Reducing cancer risk or recurrence
People with malignant disease treated with mistletoe were not found to have a lower risk of recurrence in a review of studies.11Kienle GS , Kiene H. Complementary cancer therapy: a systematic review of prospective clinical trials on anthroposophic mistletoe extracts. European Journal of Medical Research. 2007 Mar 26;12(3):103-19; Goebell PJ, Otto T, et al. Evaluation of an unconventional treatment modality with mistletoe lectin to prevent recurrence of superficial bladder cancer: a randomized phase II trial. The Journal of urology. 2002; 168(1), 72–75.
See the full evidence summary ›
Affordability and access
Is a prescription required?
- Yes. Injected mistletoe (the form used in cancer care) requires a prescription from a licensed physician.
Other names and brands
You may find mistletoe under these alternate names and brands:
- ABNOBA viscum
- Abnoba-viscum
- All-heal
- Eurixor
- Helixor
- Iscador
- Iscador Qu
- Isorel
- Lektinol
- Viscum
- Viscum album
- White-berry mistletoe
Where to find it
In the US, intravenous (IV) mistletoe therapy is not yet available as standard therapy in medical offices; it is available only in clinical trials. Access to subcutaneous injectable mistletoe is available in the USA, but healthcare professionals are not allowed to give mistletoe by injection. Mistletoe therapy is available in Europe.
- Believe Big: Important Steps to Find an Integrative Practitioner for a list of providers with training with mistletoe therapy.
- Yes to Life: Mistletoe Therapy › Find practitioners or clinics providing mistletoe in the UK and Europe
- Center For Integrative Medicine at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC, offers European mistletoe injections as a complementary treatment for individuals with qualifying diagnosis.
Affordability
- Costs per month will likely be in the range of $200-$500, but this will vary across providers.
- Mistletoe therapy is not covered by insurance.
Find an integrative provider ›
FAQs
- Can mistletoe help fight cancer?
Study results vary widely; mistletoe’s strongest effects are on quality of life. - Can mistletoe help with fatigue?
Some studies show improvements. - Can mistletoe help with treatment side effects?
Yes—some studies report improvements in fatigue, sleep, nausea, vomiting, appetite, depression, anxiety, pain, overall well-being, and quality of life. - Does mistletoe support immune function in cancer patients?
Studies show higher markers of immune function for people with tumors treated with mistletoe, but higher immune activation may not always be beneficial. Consult with a physician before starting mistletoe treatment. - Can mistletoe reduce inflammation in cancer patients?
Laboratory evidence suggests anti-inflammatory activity; mistletoe’s strongest effects, reported in clinical studies, are on quality of life.
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