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MISTLETOE: More Than An Excuse For A Quick Kiss?
What is Mistletoe? Mistletoe is much more than just a holiday decoration! Scientifically known as Viscum album, mistletoe is a plant that grows on several types of trees in England, Europe, and western Asia. This plant has certainly been in the news lately, especially since Hollywood actress Suzanne Somers announced last year that she was using this herbal remedy as a treatment for her breast cancer. Iscador, the trade name of the most commonly available brand - a European species of mistletoe, is not the same mistletoe found in the United States. The parts of the plant used in herbal How is Mistletoe used? It is claimed that mistletoe stimulates the immune system, helping the body fight diseases. Mistletoe products have been in widespread use, particularly in Europe, for many, many years. Commission E (Germany's equivalent of our FDA) has approved mistletoe to be used to help treat some of the side effects of cancer therapy. It has not, however, been approved as a cure for cancer. An extract, made from the mistletoe, is injected under the skin near the tumor. Daily injections are usually given and continue for 10-14 days. Mistletoe injections are not available in the United States, except in clinical trials, because the product is not approved for sale by the FDA. How did Mistletoe use begin? Mistletoe has a fascinating history. Over 2000 years ago, the ancient Celts in Europe used mistletoe in many religious rituals and gave the plant the name "mistletoe" to mean "all healer". Today, in some parts of Europe, the name still carries the same meaning. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe dates back to early Scandanavia where the plant became a symbol of love. Has Mistletoe been researched much? Researchers have been studying the plant since the early 1900s to determine if the plant does indeed have "magic powers" to stop cancer growth. Although there is laboratory evidence that it may be beneficial, the evidence of clinical benefit from human studies remains weak and inconclusive. Most of the studies that have found positive results from mistletoe in the treatment or prevention of cancer are not considered scientifically dependable and the positive benefits have not been shown in studies using real people. Is Mistletoe safe? It is important to know that only the European species of the plant is used for the extract. The extract is injected and is not intended for oral use. Although not lethal, the berries are known to be toxic. It is not recommended that the berries be eaten or that homemade cancer remedies be made from mistletoe extracts. Mistletoe injections are generally thought to be safe, and in Europe where this treatment is used frequently, typical side effects are redness at the injection site, fever, and flu-like symptoms. The use of this drug has been recommended as a complementary treatment along with other more conventional therapies like radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Although there are many who choose to use it alone, as in Suzanne Somers' case, until the studies confirm that it can kill cancer on its own, the wisest course is probably to opt for safety and incorporate it into a traditional drug regimen. Traditional treatments, like surgery, chemotherapy or radiation have been shown in clinical studies to be effective forms of cancer treatments. Summary There seems to be a perception that cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) are toxic and herbal treatments are safe. Because herbs are "natural", the public associates this with "safe". This is not always the case. Testimonials from other patients, including celebrities, make these treatments more appealing. Remember that testimonials are not enough to go on when choosing a medical treatment. Controlled clinical trials provide more reliable information about the effectiveness and possible side effects of any treatment. Despite Suzanne Somers' decision to forego chemotherapy, most health care practitioners warn patients about using alternative treatments in place of standard therapy. All patients are urged to evaluate the evidence carefully for any treatment and to consult their medical caregiver in order to make thoughtful and fully informed personal decisions about their healthcare plans. Mistletoe is just one of the many herbal treatments used in cancer treatment throughout the world. It is currently not available in the United States and not approved by the FDA. What does the future hold for mistletoe? We have not heard the last on mistletoe and only more research will give us the answers to the many questions that remain. There appear to be no major side effects from the use of the herbal extract injections and because there has been some recent evidence that this has some possible benefit in cancer care, the next steps will be clinical trials using human studies.
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