This time of year mistletoe gives us an excuse to kiss our sweethearts. But did you know that it also has the potential to provide a lot of health benefits?
I read a story last year about this time that told about a woman who credited mistletoe with helping her to beat cancer-specifically, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “It is not a miracle cure,” she said. “It has limitations and every story will be different but I want people to know about it. I think it can give people hope. I’ve heard it described as easing cancer, which I think is the best way to put it.”
Of course I was skeptical, so I did some research. Turns out there is some real science behind this little plant. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says it’s been used for centuries to treat conditions such as hypertension, headaches and arthritis, and that in Europe, products made from mistletoe are among the most prescribed therapies for cancer patients.
(It’s usually administered by injection.) Extracts have been shown in animal and laboratory studies to boost the immune system, kill cancer cells, and protect DNA.
What about human trials? We have some evidence here as well. One study found that using mistletoe therapy along with chemotherapy helped patients experience fewer adverse effects, better symptom relief, and improved disease-free survival. Researchers believed the plant worked by stimulating the immune system. Another study, however, found no affect in head and neck cancer patients. Several European clinical trials have found some improvements in survival or quality of life, but researchers warn that many of these studies were small or had weaknesses in their design. Still, the results were compelling enough that in 2002, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), working with the NCI, conducted their own study with mistletoe in cancer patients. The trial is now closed and they are analyzing the data, so hopefully we’ll hear more soon.
What about safety? Many people do experience an injection-site reaction, such as itching or redness. Other side effects can include low-grade fever and flu-like symptoms. In fact, raw, unprocessed mistletoe and its berries are actually poisonous to humans if consumed-they can cause vomiting, seizures, a lowing of the heart rate, and in rare cases, even death. Mistletoe extracts, however, are usually considered safe. Countries that are regularly using them in injections are the best source, such as Germany, where the extract is considered safe when used under medical supervision. Mistletoe extract is also used in countries like Austria and Switzerland.
In the U.S., however, we just don’t have enough studies to know if the plant could cause other harm when used against cancer. The FDA has not yet approved mistletoe as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. In fact, they don’t even allow injectable mistletoe to be imported, sold, or used except for in clinical research. According to CAM-CANCER however, the brand “Iscador” is approved for distribution by the FDA in accordance with its requirements for homeopathic medicines. (This type of mistletoe was used by Suzanne Somers in her fight against breast cancer back in 2001.)
After reviewing the data, I feel that we still need to approach the use of mistletoe with great caution. As with many new natural or complementary treatments, we really need to know more before we can say for sure that mistletoe may help you beat cancer. The potential is there, however, and I look forward to seeing the results of the latest studies.
What do you think about mistletoe and cancer? Do you know anyone who has tried it?
Photo courtesy ImaBatman via Filckr.com.
