CANCER: At the point when you consider mistletoe, you no uncertainty picture an occasion kiss under a twig of the plant.
Be that as it may, notwithstanding being a notorious Christmas image, mistletoe is perhaps the most generally read elective treatments for malignant growth. There is proof that it helps endurance as well as it might decrease tumor development, uphold the insusceptible framework, and facilitate the results of chemotherapy.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on trees such as oaks, maples, and elms. It has been used as a folk remedy for hundreds of years to treat epilepsy, high blood pressure, headaches, arthritis, and menopause symptoms.
Mistletoe Benefits for cancer
Mistletoe first grew in popularity as a cancer treatment in Europe in the 1920s. It is still widely used there today to help cancer patients.
At least 10 different lab studies show that mistletoe kills cancer cells. And in recent years, researchers have conducted several clinical studies showing that it is an effective treatment.
One of the most impressive trials tested it in 220 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This is one of the deadliest cancers.
Researchers found that those treated with mistletoe survived longer. And they had better quality of life. They had less pain, fatigue, nausea, and weight loss than those who took a placebo.
Another study looked at mistletoe extract in 804 colon cancer patients who were also treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation. The researchers found that patients whose conventional treatment was supplemented with mistletoe had fewer cancer symptoms and stayed in remission longer.
How Mistletoe Fights Cancer
Scientists believe two components in mistletoe are responsible for its anti-cancer benefits:
Viscotoxins: These are small proteins that exhibit cancer-killing activity.
Lectins: These complex molecules stimulate the immune system to help it fight cancer.
Although mistletoe is a common cancer treatment in Europe, most conventional American doctors don’t routinely offer it. The European Union has approved mistletoe extract for cancer patients, but the FDA has not.
In Europe, mistletoe extract typically does not replace conventional treatment. It is used in addition to them. It usually does not have severe side effects. In fact, as we mentioned earlier, mistletoe often reduces the side effects of conventional treatments. But mistletoe can give some patients headaches, fever, or chills.
Even though the FDA has not approved it, there are ways that patients in the U.S. can access high-quality mistletoe extract. It’s most often sold under the drug names Iscador and Helixor. They are available in American clinical trials.
If you have cancer and are interested in taking mistletoe extract, show your oncologist this article. Several major cancer centers in the U.S. now offer it as part of ongoing studies. Your doctor may be able to arrange treatment by enrolling you.
Do not Take If:
You are pregnant: Some mistletoe compounds can stimulate the uterus to contract, which can increase abortion risk.
You are taking cytochrome P450 3A4 substrate drugs: Lab studies suggest mistletoe may increase the risk of side effects of these drugs. However, this effect appears to happen only at higher doses, and clinical relevance has yet to be determined.
Editor’s Note: Cancer is a very deadliest disease, do not play with it. Seek prompt medical attention.
