FACTS ABOUT MISTLETOE

FACTS ABOUT MISTLETOE

In Europe, European mistletoe is used for treating seizures, headaches, and other conditions, as well as a cancer treatment. It is important to note that raw, unprocessed mistletoe is poisonous.

Common Names--European mistletoe, mistletoe

Latin Name--Viscum album L.

What It Is Used For?

Mistletoe has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat seizures, headaches, and other conditions. Mistletoe is used mainly in Europe as a treatment for cancer.

How It Is Used?

The leafy shoots and berries of mistletoe are used to make extracts that can be taken by mouth. In Europe, mistletoe extracts are prescription drugs that are given by injection. In the United States, mistletoe by injection is available only in clinical trials.

What the Science Says?

Laboratory studies have found that mistletoe kills cancer cells and stimulates the immune system. The use of mistletoe to treat cancer has been studied in Europe in more than 30 clinical trials. Although improvements in survival or quality of life have been reported, almost all of the trials had major weaknesses in their design that raise doubts about the findings. For example, many of the studies had a small number of participants or did not have a control group.

Side Effects and Cautions?

Raw, unprocessed mistletoe is poisonous. Eating raw, unprocessed European mistletoe or American mistletoe can cause vomiting, seizures, a slowing of the heart rate, and even death. American mistletoe is unsafe for medicinal use. In countries where commercial mistletoe is available by injection, such as Germany, those extracts are considered to be generally safe when used according to product directions and under the supervision of a health care provider. Injected mistletoe extract may cause itching or redness in the area of the injection. Less commonly, side effects may include more extensive skin reactions, low-grade fevers, or flu-like symptoms. There have been very rare reports of more serious allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing.

Because mistletoe has not yet been proven to be a safe and effective cancer treatment, it should not be used outside of clinical trials. It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including mistletoe. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

Herbal Treatment Of Ear Infection

The Herbal Hair Regrowth Solution

News

FACTS ABOUT MISTLETOE

On Your Mind is the Herald/Review’s telephone opinion line and is intended as a public forum for our readers. Comments represent the opinions of callers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper or any specific knowledge that ...

On Your Mind - Sierra Vista Herald

All the entries posted in January. “Lost” has been fascinating and infuriarating, exhilirating and exasperating, fantastical and frustrating. And that’s why we still watch. The last half dozen episodes last season led up to the show-stopping ...

Radio & TV Talk - AccessAtlanta

ALEX SALMOND was last night fending off political attacks over his personal intervention to help a party donor win planning approval for an £80 million development in Aviemore. The first minister called his most senior planning official last month ...