Immune Therapy

Centre for Advanced Medicine

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European Mistletoe (Viscum album) has a long history in medicine and has decades of research and clinical evaluation that make it a safe and effective partner in many health conditions. It has been used orally for thousands of years, and as an injection since 1917.

What kinds of conditions is it used for?

Mistletoe is well-known and well-proven for improving quality of life in patients with cancer who are undergoing treatment and in palliative situations. However, it is also excellent for:

Viral Infections
Potent Immune Boosting Properties
Immune Surveillance
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Lyme disease
Chronic infectious diseases
Osteoarthritis

How specifically does mistletoe act in the body?

Immune function:

Increase in natural killer and cytotoxic T-cells number and activity
Activation of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells
Increase in granulocytes and phagocytosis by neutrophils
Increase in lymphocyte number and activity (CD4+, Th1, CD25+)
Modulation of cytokine release: TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, GM-CSF

Neuroendocrine system (increased energy, better mood, better sleep, less pain):

Promotes equilibrium of the circadian rhythm including positive effects on body temperature and melatonin release
Promotes release of ß-endorphine

Local tissue (osteoarthritis):

Improved microcirculation
Pain relief (increased mobility)
Normalization of extracellular matrix
Improvements in collagen function

How many studies are there on mistletoe?

There are more than 2,000 scientific publications and more than 130 clinical studies on mistletoe. It is likely the best-researched natural medicine available today.

How do I administer the mistletoe?

Your doctor or medical assistant will teach you how to do the injection in office and provide the supplies you need – after that it is simple to do it at home. Choose varying sites on the abdomen to administer the dose. For example top left, then top right, then bottom left, then bottom right, etc.

You can watch short videos on how to open the ampoule as well as how to administer the injection here: http://www.easy-start.info/english/welcome/

Why must mistletoe be injected?

Mistletoe is easily broken down by the body, meaning that if you take it orally it will not be effective. Crossing the skin activates the immune response that is required for mistletoe’s actions to start working. It is a simple injection, similar to an insulin shot, and patients or their caregivers learn to do it at home.

How long will I be using mistletoe?

For most conditions, 3-6 months is generally a good guideline. For arthritis it can be much shorter (4-8 weeks). Contact your doctor or medical assistant for more information on your expected duration of treatment.

What side effects might be seen?

Mistletoe is extremely safe. Most patients experience a desired skin reaction (itchy, raised, red rash) at the injection site, showing that the mistletoe is working. Fever, or a larger than usual skin reaction (greater than 5cm in diameter) are considered side effects and the dose should be reduced. A very small percentage of people may be allergic to mistletoe, but this is extremely rare. Report all side effects to your prescribing healthcare provider so that your dose can be adjusted.