Herbs & Supplements

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Uses

Note: European mistletoe (VIscum album) is different from the types of mistletoe (Phoradendron species) that grow in the United States. American mistletoe may be poisonous; therefore American mistletoe should never be swallowed.

For several decades, European mistletoe has been used to treat a wide variety of physical and mental conditions. Currently, it is best known as an additional therapy with other drugs, radiation, or both for treating cancer. In the laboratory, it may have prevented the spread of cells from several different types of cancer. However, a number of clinical studies have had conflicting results about its effectiveness for cancer patients. European mistletoe has shown some ability in both animal and human studies to delay progression of solid tumors in the breast, colon, and stomach. In general, though, European mistletoe did not improve survival for brain, head and neck, kidney, lung, pancreatic, or skin cancer patients who participated in studies. It is believed that European mistletoe may actually destroy certain kinds of cancer cells by blocking the production of specific proteins needed by cancer cells but not by normal cells. It may be more effective for controlling cancer cells that divide very fast than for slower-growing cancers. Much more study is needed to determine whether European mistletoe has any value in treating cancer.

In addition, European mistletoe may support cancer patients in other ways. It may increase the ability of the immune system to attack cancer cells. In one study of patients with colon cancer, patients who received a European mistletoe infusion during surgery to remove tumors had less surgery-caused immune disruption than patients who did not receive European mistletoe. Some cancer patients have also reported being able to function more normally during treatment with European mistletoe. A study involving nearly 700 women with breast cancer found that those using a European mistletoe product in addition to standard treatment reported fewer side effects such as depression, fatigue, headache, and nausea than women who did not use mistletoe. After taking a commercial mistletoe product for an average of five years following breast cancer treatment, patients also reported fewer general health complaints and a better overall wellness than patients not taking mistletoe.

Some studies suggest that using European mistletoe for extended periods may prompt the body to increase its production of immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes. Because of the possible resulting increase in immune function, European mistletoe has been tested for the treatment of AIDS and other viral illnesses. No definite conclusions have been reached, although some studies have shown that it may possibly delay the progression of HIV infection to AIDS. A compound derived from a species of mistletoe related to the European variety has shown some promise as a treatment for hepatitis C. It cannot substitute for standard medical treatment for any viral condition, but European mistletoe might be useful as add-on therapy in combination with conventional antiviral drugs.

Chemicals in European mistletoe also have effects on the heart. At low doses, they can lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate. At higher doses, European mistletoe may cause blood vessels to contract, thereby potentially raising blood pressure. Few studies have been done to prove or disprove European mistletoe's effectiveness for heart conditions, so its use cannot be recommended for treating any heart condition.