Mistletoe in Cancer Treatment: An Alternative Approach

Introduction:

Mistletoe is a semiparasitic herb that grows on various trees such as oak, apple, oak, elm, and pine. It is one of the most widely studied treatment therapy for cancer patients. In addition, mistletoe extracts can be used as an alternative therapy in cancer treatment. They are usually administered via subcutaneous injection, intravenous injection, injection into the lung cavity, or into a tumor itself. However, a few side effects have been observed with mistletoe usage. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved it as a treatment therapy for cancer and other medical conditions.

What Is Mistletoe?

Mistletoe is a plant that grows on other trees, including oak, apple, maple, elm, poplar, and pine. It is also known as Viscum, all-heal, birdlime, and white-berry Mistletoe. It has been used to treat various conditions such as epilepsy, asthma, headaches, high blood pressure, menopause, arthritis (inflammation of the joints), rheumatism (autoimmune condition affecting body tissues), infertility, and dermatitis (skin inflammation). The mistletoe products and extracts differ on the basis of the following:

• The particular species of Mistletoe.

• The kind of tree mistletoe is growing.

• The time of year the plant is picked.

• The type of Mistletoe extracts used.

• The company that makes the product.

Mistletoe extracts are prepared in water-based solutions or combined with alcohol and water. Mistletoe products are usually named after the kind of tree on which the plant grows. For example, IscadorP comes from pine trees, IscadorM comes from apple trees, IscadorQu comes from oak trees, and IscadorU comes from elm trees.

How Does Mistletoe Work?

Mistletoe extract has been used as a medicine since prehistoric times. The modern herbal practice continues to use it. There is some proof that it stimulates the immune system through an anti-inflammatory mechanism and is used as a supportive and alternative therapy in cancer patients to reduce certain side effects of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-related exhaustion. However, there is not enough relevant evidence for the use of Mistletoe as a supportive therapy that can be recommended in clinical cancer care guidance.

Where and How Is Mistletoe Used?

Mistletoe is used in treating the following conditions:

• Hepatitis (liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus).

• Mistletoes have been used as an alternative form of medicine in the treatment of cancer in certain countries. Mistletoe extract has been found to kill cancer cells when tested in certain animals.

• It has also been found to strengthen the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells.

• Mistletoes have been found to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy during cancer treatment, thus improving the quality of life.

Several studies have been performed to understand Mistletoe's functioning and usage, though only some areas in these research studies have prevented its use in other countries. Some researchers believe it fights cancer by stopping the formation of new blood vessels that help the tumors grow in size. For this reason, Mistletoe has been termed a biological response modifier and anti-angiogenic agent. Mistletoe has a few other uses, but more research needs to be carried out in that context. It is believed that viscotoxins, polysaccharides, and lectins are the active ingredients in mistletoe extract that give it its benefits.

What Is the Efficacy of Mistletoe in Cancer Treatment?

Studies are being done to determine the efficacy of Mistletoe in the treatment of following types of cancers:

• Head and Neck Cancer - Mistletoe extract injection into the skin pre and post-surgery or radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients has not been found to cause any improvement in the overall condition of the patient. Therefore, it is still being determined whether oral administration of Mistletoe helps.

• Skin Cancer - Injecting mistletoe extract into the skin of patients with melanoma (a serious form of skin cancer) after the surgery has not been found to improve survival or decrease the risk of cancer relapse.

What Are the Side Effects of Mistletoe?

Mistletoe is quite safe when used correctly. But taking more than the desired amount of three berries or two leaves is likely to cause certain serious side effects, such as seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver damage. Therefore, one should only take it with the doctor's knowledge.

What Precautions Should Be Taken While Consuming Mistletoe?

Mistletoe is usually safe when used as prescribed. But consuming more than the prescribed quantity of three berries or two leaves is likely to cause dangerous side effects and is unsafe.

• Pregnancy - Mistletoe is unsafe when taken orally during pregnancy. It can cause miscarriage by stimulating the uterus.

• Breastfeeding - There is not much reliable information to understand whether Mistletoe is safe to use while breastfeeding. It is best to avoid it during breastfeeding.

• Auto-immune Diseases - Mistletoe might increase the activity of the immune system in auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or rheumatoid arthritis. This could flare up the symptoms of these conditions. Therefore, it is best to avoid mistletoe use if one has an auto-immune condition.

• Leukemia - Mistletoe intake has been found to worsen leukemia. Therefore, it is better to avoid it if one has leukemia.

• Organ Transplantation - Mistletoe might make the immune system more active. An overactive immune system might increase the risk of organ rejection. Therefore, it is best to avoid the usage of Mistletoe if one has undergone organ transplantation.

• Surgery - Mistletoe might affect blood pressure. So, during and after surgery, it might cause blood pressure fluctuations. Therefore, one should not take it at least two weeks prior to planned surgery.

How Does Mistletoe Interact With Other Medications?

• Blood Pressure Medicines - Mistletoe might lower blood pressure, so taking it along with other medications that lower blood pressure might cause a steep decrease in blood pressure. Therefore, blood pressure should be monitored while consuming Mistletoe.

• Immunesupressors - Mistletoe can increase immune system activity. However, certain medications, such as those taken after a transplant, decrease the immune system's activity. Taking Mistletoe along with these medications might reduce the effects of those medications.

What Is the Recommended Dosage of Mistletoe?

There needs to be more reliable data to understand the appropriate dosage of Mistletoe. However, one should remember that natural products are not always safe, and doses are important. Therefore, following the directions recommended on product labels and consulting a physician is advisable.

Conclusion:

Mistletoe, also called Viscum album, is a plant that grows on various trees worldwide. The different parts of the plant, such as berry, leaf, and stem, are used as medicine. Mistletoe contains certain chemicals that might stimulate the immune system and kill some cancer cells, but it is unclear whether these effects occur in the human body. People use Mistletoe to treat various types of cancer, including head and neck, bladder, lung, breast, and many other conditions. Still, there needs to be authentic scientific proof to support such uses. Most research has evaluated mistletoe injections given by a physician, though there is very little research on the oral use of Mistletoe.