Mistletoe is an immune modulator which helps your body make more macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells and lymphocytes in order to help your body fight cancer naturally. Mistletoe has a protective effect for your healthy DNA and has lectins which induce apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells as well as reduction in angiogenesis or development of blood supply to cancer tumors.

     Mistletoe can help people tolerate chemotherapy much more easily and it does not interfere with any chemotherapy or radiation. It is known to help people to enjoy increased amounts of energy, appetite and strength.

     Mistletoe helps return thermoregulation back to normal. Many people with cancer lose their normal bio-rhythm and ability to have a fever. Mistletoe brings back balance to that system.

     Mistletoe can be used not only for cancer support but for graft vs host disease, Lyme disease, chronic inflammatory disorders, diabetes and heart disease.

Mistletoe has been used as medicine for over a hundred years and is known to be very safe with minimal side effects.

     You should not use Mistletoe therapy if you have an acute infection, cytokine therapy, hyperthyroidism or tachycardia.

     The positive affects you can expect with Mistletoe therapy are improvements in quality of life, pain reduction, improved sleep and appetite, fewer infections and improvement in WBC.

     Allergies to Mistletoe therapy are rare. There are a few side effects that you can expect such as low grade fever, skin reactions and swollen glands. This is generally a desired effect but if excessive you may need to pause therapy and reduce the dose.

     Mistletoe is initiated with very low doses and increased incrementally until the desired maintenance dose is achieved. You will be given a “Series pack” starting with 1mg ampules. Dosing is generally 3 x weekly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Afternoon dosing is desirable, around 4 pm. Watch for a skin reaction 24-72 hours after dosing. If there is no reaction then continue the dose escalation. If there is a reaction less than 5 cm then continue the same dose until that reaction no longer occurs, then resume the dose escalation once again. If there is a reaction greater than 5 cm then reduce the dose by 2 steps and wait until the reaction clears to resume at the reduced dosing.

     At some point, usually within 3 months the reactions will no longer appear. This is normal. In addition to skin reactions, you may get a temporary low-grade fever or general malaise which should resolve within a few hours. Do not hesitate to call the office if you have any questions or concerns.       

Viscum Abietis is from mistletoes which grow on fir trees. This is the best choice for people who are very weak as it has fewer side effects. This is used for head and neck, prostate or lung cancer.

Viscum Mali is from mistletoes which grow on apple trees. This has a higher lectin content and is more cytotoxic then Abietis. It can be used for any tumor type.

Viscum Pini from mistletoes which grow on pine trees. This one has the strongest cytotoxic effect but is also with more side effects. This is best for younger more robust patients. Use this for malignant melanoma, premenopausal breast cancer, CLL and testicular cancer and Lyme disease.

     The type of Mistletoe you use can be changed during treatment and the dosing can be adjusted. Mistletoe can also be given IV in critical situations to strengthen the patient, to induce a fever reaction, to induce immune stimulation before surgery or chemotherapy or to support patients in advanced, metastatic, critical or palliative situations. It can improve quality of life, reduce bone pain and relieve cachexia.

     One of the nice things about Mistletoe therapy is that after being started in the office it can be self-administered at home. You will be given all of the supplies that you need and will have an office visit where you are instructed on how to inject Mistletoe yourself.

     Mistletoe therapy costs between $175and $400.00 per month depending on the individual dosing.