Mistletoe therapy:
Introduction: Mistletoe treatment (MT),Viscum Album Extract is an essential part of integrative cancer care and is one of the most widely studied complementary and alternative medicine therapies in people with cancer. The therapy was largely developed by Ita Wegman a Swiss medical doctor, mostly within the context of Anthroposophic medicine (AM), a healthcare approach that provides an integrative, multi-modal and a system-based cancer care.
Pharmacology: Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on trees, such as apple, oak, maple, elm, pine, and birch. Mistletoe extracts (MEs) contain a variety of biologically active compounds such as Lectins, Visco-toxins, Oligo- and Polysaccharides. They have strong apoptosis-inducing effects, can enhance the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs and simultaneously stimulate the immune system. They also possess DNA-stabilizing properties in mononuclear cells, and enhance endorphins in vivo.
Uses: It is mostly used to improve quality of life (QoL), increase the tolerance of chemotherapy, and exert a possible benefit on tumour control and overall survival.
Mode of administration Mistletoe extracts are usually given by an injection under the skin (subcutaneous), oral by mouth, rarely by intravenous or IV.
Research:In Europe numerous clinical evidence-based medicine results have been recorded in multiple oncological centers post the use of Mistletoe therapy in cancer and their results published in various peer reviewed journals. For Homeopathic doctors a research was also conducted by the central council of research of Homeopathy, Government of India of the potential of viscum album or Mistletoe extracts along with various homeopathic drugs in cancer care.