Herbs and plantsMistletoe — an herb for cancer that people only talk about in whispers?
Sources: 13 · Article: 19 529 characters
Henryk Różański attributes anticancer and immune-stimulating effects to mistletoe preparations given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.
- According to him, the traditional use of mistletoe for cancer became the basis for developing Iscador, an injectable preparation.
- Różański also says that Commission E did not recommend mistletoe preparations because there was no evidence of their effects for the uses described.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
In folk medicine, mistletoe was used to treat cancer, and this became the basis for developing Iscador, an injectable preparation.
„In folk medicine, mistletoe was used to stop bleeding and to treat cancer. This became the basis for developing an injectable preparation, Iscador, recommended for cancer treatment. In folk medicine, mistletoe was also used to treat epilepsy, hysteria, asthma, and excessive menstrual bleeding, to stop hemorrhages, and to lower blood pressure.”W medycynie ludowej stosowano jemiołę jako środek przeciwkrwotoczny i w leczeniu raka. Stało się to podstawą do opracowania preparatu do injekcji – Iscador’u, polecanego w terapii chorób nowotworowych. W medycynie ludowej jemiołę używano w leczeniu epilepsji, stanów histerii, astmy, nadmiernych krwawień miesiączkowych, do hamowania krwotoków oraz obniżania ciśnienia krwi.
Henryk Różański
Commission E did not recommend mistletoe preparations because there was no evidence of their effects for the uses described.
„As a result, Commission E did not recommend the use of mistletoe preparations because there was no evidence that this herbal material was effective for these purposes.
Mistletoe herb is not covered by the sixth edition of the Polish Pharmacopoeia. It is absent from the first, second, and third editions of the Polish Pharmacopoeia. Mistletoe is also absent from the Swiss Pharmacopoeia (Pharm.”W rezultacie Komisja E nie zalecała podawania preparatów jemioły z powodu braku dowodów działania tego surowca w tych zakresach.
Ziele jemioły nie jest objęte przez Farmakopeę Polską VI. Brak jej w Farmakopei Polskiej I, II i III. Jemioły brak w Farmakopei Szwajcarskiej (Pharm.
Henryk Różański
Animal studies have shown cytostatic and non-specific immune-stimulating effects.
„It was reported that animal studies showed cytostatic and non-specific immunostimulatory effects.
In monograph No. 128 of 1993, Commission E described juniper fruit as an herbal substance—Visci albi Fructus. It included tables comparing mistletoe fruits with other herbal substances, for example.”Podano, że w doświadczeniach na zwierzętach wykazano działanie cytostatyczne i nieswoiście immunostymulujące.
W monografii nr 128 z 1993 roku Komisja E opisała owoc jałowca jako surowiec zielarski – Visci albi Fructus. Uwzględniła zestawienia owoców jemioły z innymi surowcami, np.
Henryk Różański
Mistletoe contains viscotoxins, which have been attributed cytotoxic and anticancer effects.
„Mistletoe contains viscotoxins I, II, III, and IVb, which have cytotoxic and anticancer effects. When they act directly on cancer cells, they destroy them quickly. This is why an ointment made from fresh fruits was once used to treat external cancerous tumors.”W jemiole są obecne wiskotoksyny I, II, III, IVb (viscotoxins) o działaniu cytotoksycznym i przeciwnowotworowym. Przy bezpośrednim oddziaływaniu na komórki rakowe niszczą je w krótkim czasie. Dlatego maść ze świeżych owoców miała dawniej zastosowanie w leczeniu guzów rakowych zewnętrznych.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański claims that viscotoxins destroy cancer cells on direct contact.
„When they act directly on cancer cells, they destroy them quickly. This is why an ointment made from fresh fruits was once used to treat external cancerous tumors.
Because the cytotoxic, anticancer, and blood-pressure-lowering effects depend on protein and peptide compounds, lectins, polysaccharides, amino acid esters and amines, and amide derivatives, the most effective preparations are those given by subcutaneous and intramuscular injection.”Przy bezpośrednim oddziaływaniu na komórki rakowe niszczą je w krótkim czasie. Dlatego maść ze świeżych owoców miała dawniej zastosowanie w leczeniu guzów rakowych zewnętrznych.
Z tego względu, że działanie cytotoksyczne, przeciwnowotworowe, hipotensyjne zależy od związków proteinowych, peptydowych, lektyn, polisacharydów, estrów aminowych i amin oraz pochodnych amidowych – najskuteczniejsze są preparaty jemioły podawane podskórnie i domięśniowo.
Henryk Różański
According to Henryk Różański, mistletoe lectins may make it harder for cancer cells to attach to tissues and may lower the risk of metastasis.
„Mistletoe lectins make this process more difficult, reducing the risk of metastasis. They also have an immunostimulatory effect, activating macrophages, T lymphocytes, NK cells, and cytotoxic lymphocytes. They increase production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). They activate the synthesis of lymphokines.”Lektyny jemiołowe utrudniają ten proces, zmniejszając ryzyko metastazy (przerzutu). Dodatkowo mają wpływ immunostymulujący, aktywujący makrofagi, limfocyty T, NK i cytotoksyczne. Zwiększają produkcję martwiczego czynnika nowotworów TNF. Aktywują syntezę limfokin.
Henryk Różański
Mistletoe lectins have been attributed the ability to stimulate macrophages and lymphocytes and increase TNF production.
„They also have an immunostimulatory effect, activating macrophages, T lymphocytes, NK cells, and cytotoxic lymphocytes. They increase production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). They activate the synthesis of lymphokines.
Mistletoe fruits – Fructus Visci; Swarzędz, March 2009.
Mistletoe seeds – Semen Visci; Swarzędz, March 2009. They are found among the dense, sticky, stringy mass in the fruits, rich in viscin and viscotoxin.”Dodatkowo mają wpływ immunostymulujący, aktywujący makrofagi, limfocyty T, NK i cytotoksyczne. Zwiększają produkcję martwiczego czynnika nowotworów TNF. Aktywują syntezę limfokin.
Owoce jemioły – Fructus Visci; Swarzędz, marzec 2009 r.
W owocach jemioły, wśród gęstej, klejącej i ciągnącej masy bogatej w wiscynę i wiskotoksynę znajdują się nasiona – Semen Visci; Swarzędz, marzec 2009 r.
Henryk Różański
When given parenterally, mistletoe preparations are said to stimulate lymphocytes and cytokine secretion, thereby limiting metastases and acting on cancer cells.
„It stimulates the activity of CD3+ CD4+ lymphocytes, NK (natural killer) cells, and cytokine secretion when given parenterally. As a result, mistletoe preparations limit cancer metastases and have cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on cancer cells.”Stymuluje aktywność limfocytów CD3+ CD4+, limfocytów NK – Natural Killers oraz sekrecję cytokin (po podaniu pozajelitowym). dzięki temu preparaty jemiołowe ograniczają przerzuty nowotworów i działaja cytotoksycznie oraz cytostatycznie wobec komórek nowotworowych.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański attributes cytotoxic, cytostatic, and immune-stimulating effects to lectins, as well as the ability to activate the death of cancer cells.
„Lectins have cytotoxic, cytostatic, and immunomodulatory effects. They activate apoptosis in cancer cells. It is important to administer mistletoe preparations directly into the tumor, near the tumor, or into the cavity where the cancer is located; this is when the therapeutic effect is best.”Lektyny działają cytotoksycznie, cytostatycznie i immunomodulująco. Aktywują apoptozę komórek nowotworowych. Ważne jest aby preparaty jemioły podawać wprost do guza, w pobliże guza, do jamy w której występuje nowotwór, wtedy efekt terapeutyczny jest najlepszy.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański claims that mistletoe preparations prolong life, ease symptoms, and inhibit metastases, and he also describes cases of complete recovery.
„Mistletoe preparations undoubtedly prolong the lives of patients, ease the symptoms of the disease, activate the immune system, and inhibit metastases. Cases of complete recovery from cancer have been reported.
These preparations are available in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.”Preparaty jemiołowe niewątpliwie przedłużają życie chorym, łagodzą objawy choroby, aktywują układ odpornościowy, hamują przerzuty. Opisano przypadki zupełnego wyleczenia z nowotworów.
Wspomniane preparaty dostępne są w Austrii, Szwajcarii i Niemczech.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański believes that mistletoe preparations given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection are the most effective because their effects depend on protein and peptide components.
„Because the cytotoxic, anticancer, and blood-pressure-lowering effects depend on protein and peptide compounds, lectins, polysaccharides, amino acid esters and amines, and amide derivatives, the most effective preparations are those given by subcutaneous and intramuscular injection.”Z tego względu, że działanie cytotoksyczne, przeciwnowotworowe, hipotensyjne zależy od związków proteinowych, peptydowych, lektyn, polisacharydów, estrów aminowych i amin oraz pochodnych amidowych – najskuteczniejsze są preparaty jemioły podawane podskórnie i domięśniowo.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański writes that mistletoe components taken by mouth are digested and lose their pharmacological activity.
„When taken by mouth, they are digested into simple components that have no pharmacological activity.
My bicycle loaded with mistletoe after harvesting; Swarzędz, March 2009.
Mistletoe ointment – Unguentum Visci, for cancerous tumors and also stubborn genital warts, can be made at home.”Podane doustnie są trawione do składników prostych, pozbawionych działania farmakologicznego.
Mój rower wypełniony jemiołą po zbiorach; Swarzędz, marzec 2009 r.
Maść jemiołowa – Unguentum Visci na guzy rakowe, a także na oporne kłykciny można sporządzić samodzielnie.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański describes ointment made from fresh mistletoe fruits as a traditional remedy for external cancerous tumors.
„This is why an ointment made from fresh fruits was once used to treat external cancerous tumors.
Because the cytotoxic, anticancer, and blood-pressure-lowering effects depend on protein and peptide compounds, lectins, polysaccharides, amino acid esters and amines, and amide derivatives, the most effective preparations are those given by subcutaneous and intramuscular injection.”Dlatego maść ze świeżych owoców miała dawniej zastosowanie w leczeniu guzów rakowych zewnętrznych.
Z tego względu, że działanie cytotoksyczne, przeciwnowotworowe, hipotensyjne zależy od związków proteinowych, peptydowych, lektyn, polisacharydów, estrów aminowych i amin oraz pochodnych amidowych – najskuteczniejsze są preparaty jemioły podawane podskórnie i domięśniowo.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański recommends combining ointment for external tumors with internal treatment given parenterally.
„Ointment made from mistletoe fruits is used to apply to external cancerous tumors. This treatment should be combined with internal, parenteral treatment—injections, for example with Iscador. Parenteral mistletoe is also used to support the treatment of psoriasis and severe acne, as well as allergic diseases, inflammation of the uterine appendages, and chronic infections of the skin, urinary tract, digestive tract, and respiratory tract.”Maść z owoców jemioły służy do smarowana guzów rakowych zewnętrznych. Trzeba tę kurację powiązać z leczeniem wewnętrznym – pozajelitowym (zastrzyki, np. z Iscador). Jemioła pozajelitowa wspomaga również leczenie łuszczycy i ciężkich form trądziku, ponadto chorób alergicznych, zapalenia przydatków, przewlekłych infekcji skóry, układu moczowego, trawiennego i oddechowego.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański warns that wine or weak alcohol should not be expected to have a marked anticancer effect.
„However, one should not expect a marked drop in blood pressure or an oncostatic effect. Any drop in blood pressure depends on the presence of flavonoids in alcoholic extracts.
An extract can be made from fresh herb using dry wine (for anti-atherosclerotic, antispasmodic, immunostimulatory, strengthening, bile-stimulating, metabolism-stimulating, and diuretic effects) or 20–35% alcohol.”Nie należy jednak oczekiwać wybitnego spadku ciśnienia krwi, czy działania onkostatycznego. Ewentualny spadek ciśnienia zależy od obecności flawonoidów w wyciągach alkoholowych.
Ze świeżego ziela można sporządzić wyciąg na winie wytrawnym (działanie przeciwmiażdżycowe, rozkurczowe, immunostymulujące, wzmacniające, żółciopędne, pobudzające przemia
nę materii, moczopędne) lub alkoholu 20-35%.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański says that lectins are sensitive to heat, so preparations must be stored and transported in cool conditions to preserve their anticancer activity.
„It has been observed that lectins are very sensitive to heat. Therefore, the preparation must be manufactured, stored, and even transported under refrigerated conditions to maintain the anticancer activity of the lectins.
Lektinol is an aqueous extract of mistletoe harvested in winter and standardized for lectin I content.”Zauważono, że lektyny są bardzo wrażliwe na ogrzewanie, dlatego preparat musi być produkowany, przechowywany, a nawet transportowany w warunkach chłodniczych, aby utrzymać przeciwnowotworową aktywność lektyn.
Lektinol to wodny wyciąg z jemioły, zbieranej zimą, standaryzowany na zawartość lektyn I.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański lists mistletoe as one of the ingredients that can be combined with other remedies in cancer phytotherapy.
„In cancer phytotherapy, it can be combined with greater celandine, mistletoe (Iscador), California poppy, bird cherry bark or twigs, vitamins E, F, and C, ubiquinone, carotene, and turmeric. For irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis, it can be combined with the simultaneous use of medium-chain fatty acids, linolenic acid, calcium or zinc butyrate, turmeric, calamus, and blessed thistle; Japanese knotweed/resveratrol could also be added.”W fitoterapii nowotworów kojarzyć z glistnikiem, jemiołą (Iscador), maczkiem kalifornijskim, korą/gałązkami czeremchy, witaminą E, F, C, ubichinonem, karotenem i kurkumą. W leczeniu zespołu jelita nadwrażliwego i zapalenia uchyłków jelita powiązać z równoczesnym podawaniem średniołańcuchowych kwasów tłuszczowych, kwasu linolenowego, maślanu wapnia lub cynku, kurkumy, tataraku i drapacza lekarskiego; warto dorzucić jeszcze rdestowiec japoński/sach.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański describes mistletoe as an herb that is not widely used in modern Polish phytotherapy, and says that production and sales of its preparations are declining.
„However, it is not a popular herb, and production and sales of mistletoe preparations in Poland are declining. Mistletoe is popular as a Christmas decoration, though. Modern mistletoe preparations, including those for parenteral use, are produced abroad.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, mistletoe has been recommended for treating arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure.”Nie jest to jednak popularne zioło i produkcja oraz sprzedaż preparatów jemiołowych w Polsce spada. Jemioła jest natomiast popularna jako ozdoba w okresie świąt. Za granicą są produkowane nowoczesne preparaty z jemioły, w tym podawane pozajelitowo.
Od początku XX wieku zaczęto jemiołę polecać w leczeniu arteriosklerozy i nadciśnienia.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański attributes a different anticancer mechanism to mistletoe than antioxidant activity, and says it can be combined with alkylglycerols.
„It is known, however, that the components of mistletoe, greater celandine, California poppy, periwinkle, yew, cedar, Podophyllum, Colchicum, and others have a completely different anticancer mechanism, not based on free-radical or antioxidant activity. Therefore, these agents can be combined with alkylglycerols.”Wiadomo natomiast, że składniki jemioły, glistnika, maczku kalifornijskiego, barwinka, cisu, cedru, Podophyllum, Colchicum i in. mają już zupełnie inny mechanizm działania przeciwnowotworowego, nie na zasadzie antyrodnikowej i antyoksydacyjnej, wobec czego możemy takie środki kojarzyć z alkiloglicerolami.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 5 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 707.
A meta-analysis found a significant, moderate improvement in quality of life among cancer patients using mistletoe extracts, although many studies had an increased risk of bias.
Aim of the study: Mistletoe extracts are used as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients, but there is disagreement about whether this therapy has a positive impact on quality of life (QoL).
Results: We included 26 publications with 30 data sets. The studies were heterogeneous. The pooled standardized mean difference (random-effects model) for global QoL after treatment with mistletoe extracts versus control was d = 0.61 (95% CI 0.41–0.81, p < 0.00001). The effect was stronger in younger patients, with longer treatment, in studies with lower risk of bias, and in randomized and blinded studies. Sensitivity analyses support the validity of the finding. 50% of the QoL subdomains (e.g., pain, nausea) showed a significant improvement after mistletoe treatment. Most studies had a high risk of bias or raised at least some concerns. Mistletoe extracts produce a significant, medium-sized effect on QoL in cancer. The risk of bias in the analyzed studies is likely due to the specific type of treatment, which is difficult to blind; however, this risk is unlikely to affect the outcome.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Förderverein komplementärmedizinische Krebsforschung
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A meta-analysis of women with breast cancer found improved quality of life after using mistletoe extracts, with moderate certainty of evidence for randomized studies.
Aim of the study: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, and quality of life is an essential part of patients' well-being. Although treatment with mistletoe extracts is covered by multiple cancer guidelines and reviews, it is uncertain whether mistletoe extracts can improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on this topic.
Results: Nine RCTs and 7 NRSIs with 833 and 2831 participants, respectively, were included. Pre–post changes in quality of life resulted in a pooled standardized mean difference for RCTs of SMD = 0.61 (95% CI 0.47–0.75; P < .0001) and for retrospective NRSIs of SMD = 0.46 (95% CI 0.10–0.82; P = .01). The risk of bias was low to high for the RCTs and serious for all NRSIs. The certainty of evidence was moderate for RCTs and very low for NRSIs.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Stiftung Integrative Medizin & Pharmazie
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A meta-analysis indicated that mistletoe extracts may moderately reduce cancer-related fatigue, although the studies were heterogeneous and often at risk of bias.
Aim of the study: Cancer-related fatigue remains one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Effective treatments for cancer-related fatigue are needed. The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the impact of mistletoe extracts as a pharmacological treatment for cancer-related fatigue.
Results: We performed one meta-analysis with 12 RCTs, including 1494 participants, and one meta-analysis with seven retrospective NRSIs, including 2668 participants. Heterogeneity between the studies was high in both meta-analyses. Most studies had a high risk of bias. A random-effects model showed a standardized mean difference of -0.48 (95% confidence interval -0.82 to -0.14; p = 0.006) for RCTs and an odds ratio of 0.36 (95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.66; p = 0.0008) for NRSIs. Treatment with mistletoe extracts has a moderate effect on cancer-related fatigue, similar in size to the effect of physical activity. These results need to be confirmed by more placebo-controlled trials. Future trials should investigate different treatment durations and their effect on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors after treatment.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Society for Cancer Research, Gesellschaft für klinische Forschung e.V.
Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A meta-analysis suggests that unfermented mistletoe extract may have a beneficial effect on survival in cancer patients, but higher-quality studies are needed.
Aim of the study: Mistletoe extracts (ME) are used in integrative cancer care to improve quality of life and prolong survival. ME are available from different producers and differ in pharmaceutical processing, such as fermentation. Unlike fermented ME, the impact of unfermented extracts on cancer patient survival has not yet been assessed in a meta-analysis.
Results: Eleven RCTs and eight NRSIs met the inclusion criteria. The studies were heterogeneous, and the ROB2 and ROBINS-I assessments showed moderate and high risks of bias, respectively. For RCTs, the pooled effect estimate of non-fermented ME on survival was HR = 0.81 (95% CI 0.69–0.95, P = .01). Subgroup analyses and the NRSI estimate support the robustness of the finding. When active comparators are added to the analysis, the effect estimates become non-significant. The results may indicate a positive impact of non-fermented ME on overall survival in cancer patients. High-quality RCTs are needed to substantiate our results.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Förderverein Komplementärmedizinische Forschung
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review noted positive results in some studies for survival, tumor remission, and quality of life, but highlighted limitations in their methodological quality.
Aim of the study: Mistletoe preparations are among the most widely used unconventional cancer therapies in Central Europe. Their clinical effectiveness, however, is controversial. This review investigated whether prospective controlled clinical trials provide evidence for the effectiveness of mistletoe therapy in cancer.
Results: Twenty-three studies were identified: 16 randomized, 2 quasi-randomized, and 5 non-randomized. Cancer sites included the breast, lung, stomach, colon, rectum, head and neck, kidney, bladder, melanoma, glioma, and genital organs. Among these studies, statistically significant positive outcomes were reported for survival (n = 8), tumor remission (n = 1), overall quality of life (QOL) (n = 3), and QOL in relation to side effects during cytoreductive therapy (n = 3). Positive trends were also reported for survival (n = 8), disease-free survival (n = 1), and tumor remission (n = 2). Several studies reported no effect on survival (n = 4), disease-free survival (n = 1), recurrence (n = 2), remission (n = 3), and QOL (n = 1). One study showed a negative trend for disease-free survival. However, the methodological quality of the studies was sometimes far below the standard now considered optimal or necessary.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyreview of many studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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