Mistletoe Injections for Cancer Treatment
Indications: Treatment of certain types of cancer (breast, pancreatic, bladder, Colorectal, Prostate), hepatitis, and degenerative joint disease. Has been shown to increase survival rate in these types of cancers. Also used as adjunct therapy to chemo - it does not negatively affect the success of chemo and often decreases the (cytotoxic) bad effects of chemo – increasing the quality of life in patients doing both therapies.
How it works: Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cytotoxic effects/ ribosome-inactivating properties and apoptotic induction, stimulate immune-cell phagocytosis, increase TNF a, IL1, IL2, and IL6 cytokine secretion, stimulate dendritic cell maturation and activation. Anti-proliferative effects.
- Activation of the immune system and the production of defense cells
- Stimulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells and blockage of angiogenesis (new blood supply)
- Protection and stabilization of the DNA of healthy cells against damage caused by cytostatic drugs, such as chemotherapy
- Improvement in general well-being
- Reduced fatigue, particularly during and after chemotherapy
- Reduced nausea during chemotherapy
- Improved appetite
- Improved sleep
- Increased energy
- A slight increase in body temperature (Many cancer patients have a lower than average body temperature and often feel cold.)
- Less sensitivity to pain, so fewer painkillers, and sedatives are needed
- Pregnancy
- Auto-immune disease (caution)
Resources:
https://riordanclinic.org/2021/01/mistletoe-therapy-for-cancer-treatment
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/mistletoe-pdq
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/mistletoe-pdq.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9916034/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7273755/
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/mistletoe-european#msk_professional
https://www.anthromedics.org/PRA-0897-EN