For most of us, mistletoe is that fuzzy and festive twig we wrap in red ribbon and place above door frames. However, mistletoe is about a lot more than stealing kisses during a certain time of the year. It is, in fact, what I would consider a “heavy hitter” when it comes to healing cancer. And there are literally hundreds of studies to prove it!
An Ancient Healing Herb
It never ceases to amaze me that those who came before us discovered so much about the healing power of God’s plants. Ancient peoples knew this miraculous herb was special because of the healing properties it contained. Mistletoe was considered sacred to the Celts and the Norse of the European continent a thousand years ago and was also used by Native American peoples here in the Americas.1
In Roman times, a philosopher called “Pliny the Elder” wrote that the Celts used the plant as an antidote to poison and also as a fertility herb for their livestock. The word mistletoe means “all heal” in the Celtic language.
In truth, mistletoe (Viscum album is the European variety and Phoradendron serotinum is the American variety) is actually a parasitic type of vegetation. It grows on a “host” tree and can stunt that host or even kill it if mistletoe grows and gets out of hand. In reality, however, it is its will to live that has inspired awe throughout the centuries. It has the ability to flourish when other trees and shrubs cannot. It can grow seemingly out of “thin air” and in a variety of conditions as well.
Mistletoe in Modern Times
In modern times, mistletoe has been researched extensively, and is actually used to this day in some countries for cancer. It has been used by European doctors, as well as oncologists, for almost a century.
The Austrian philosopher, architect and researcher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) first introduced it to the modern world in this capacity and it is still one of the main healing herbs2 for anthroposophical (Steiner-based) doctors.
Dr. David Riley, Editor in Chief of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine journal and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico says that there is “…mounting basic science and clinical evidence for the efficacy of mistletoe as an adjunctive cancer therapy for solid tumors.” He writes for Steiner Health, an anthroposophical health website, that “Mistletoe is the most commonly used cancer drug in Germany today.”3
According to Dr. Ralph W. Moss,4 a former science writer for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center:
By some estimates, 40 percent of French and up to 60 percent of German cancer patients receive this botanical extract.”
Wow!
Very recently, actress and natural health advocate Suzanne Somers brought mistletoe into the forefront in the United States when she spoke about how she used a German-based commercial form of mistletoe called Iscador to help her heal from breast cancer in 2001.5
Various mistletoe preparations have been used for cancer therapy since 1917. Today, they are most frequently used as complementary therapies in tumor treatment. Mistletoe’s effects on cancer have been researched in over 100 clinical trials.6,7
The Science Behind Mistletoe’s Cancer-Killing Effects
Mistletoe extracts directly prevent cancer cell growth while stimulating the immune system to fight cancer. Studies show that mistletoe improves symptoms as well as quality of life and general wellbeing in patients afflicted with multiple types of cancers.
Simultaneously, mistletoe reduces the side effects of conventional cancer treatments and may help patients survive the harsh side effects of chemo and radiation. Helixor is a cold extract made from fresh mistletoe, obtained from fir, pine and apple trees. Some physicians administer Helixor mistletoe enemas to patients with rectal tumors.
So what makes mistletoe so effective at eradicating cancer? The healing powers of mistletoe appear to come on two fronts. First, it is outright cytotoxic to cancer cells, inhibiting tumor cell growth in a number of cancers. Secondly, it is described as being a catalyst for the “nonspecific stimulation of the immune system.”8
Mistletoe contains a wide variety of inflammation-reducing, immune-stimulating phytonutrients. These include alkaloids, phenols, phenylpropanoids, polysaccharides, flavonoids and others. The foundational cancer-targeting element, however, is lectin. This substance above all others has been identified as the active principle in mistletoe’s cytotoxic and immunomodulatory potencies.
“Lectins, they are visco-toxins,9 which induce apoptosis, which act as immune-modulators,” states Dr. Sandeep Roy of the Cancer Care Foundation, Department of Mistletoe Therapy for Cancer Management in Nashik, India. “Your immune system is boosted up. And through apoptosis, the tumor shrinks. The tumor markers come down. Your quality of life improves. Your mental ability, your general wellbeing, your anorexia, insomnia, pain, everything of—your weakness, everything comes back to normal.”
Roy has dedicated his professional life to studying the cancer-killing effects of mistletoe. He stated:
…[T}he second most studied mode of cancer treatment is mistletoe therapy, after chemotherapy and surgery and radiation.”
And those studies are impressive. Many have found that mistletoe extract by itself induces cancer cell apoptosis (cancer cell death). One of the most groundbreaking of the studies was a United Nations-initiated investigation10 which monitored 35,000 German residents over 3 decades. During the course of those years, 5,000 of the residents were diagnosed with various forms of cancer. Those who took mistletoe extract lived an average of 40% longer than those who used conventional treatment alone.
Mistletoe as a p53 Promoter
We’ve talked about the p53 gene before and the importance of activating it. P53 causes cancer cell growth to stop, or even die!
Here is a list of p53 supporters:11
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Resveratrol
- Sage, ginger, curcumin (turmeric), and ashwagandha
- Essential fatty acids, for example omega-3 fatty acids
- Licorice
- Herbs, including rosemary, thyme, basil, and sage inhibit BCL2 gene activity that stimulates cancer cell growth
- Mistletoe
- Vitamin D
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
Cancer was a rare occurrence prior to the industrial revolution. Why? Because we ate whole foods not containing hormones, additives, and carcinogenic chemicals. We believe there is no better form of cancer prevention than eating whole foods and regular exercise. Talk with your health practitioner about incorporating some of the things in this list above!
Mistletoe in Conjunction with Traditional Cancer Therapies
Mistletoe can help ease the harmful consequences of and also improve the targeting effects of conventional chemotherapy drugs for cancer as well. A 2010 study conducted by the University of Bern in Switzerland12 looked at mistletoe’s effect on cancer when combined with the chemotherapy drug Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide). The researchers observed both malignant and healthy cells. They found that administration of mistletoe extract doubled the activity of healthy immune system cells. The mistletoe also upped anti-cancer cytokine levels as well.
Another study conducted in 2014 and published in the journal BioMed Research International13 found that mistletoe can improve the quality of life and also increase the life expectancy of cancer patients who use traditional cancer treatments.
Is Mistletoe for You?
Mistletoe is serious medicine when it comes to cancer. For that reason, be sure to consult with your health professional before taking it in any form, since it can be poisonous if taken improperly. Besides the extract version, usually in the form of Iscador, some doctors are also starting to administer mistletoe injections. For rectal cancer, sometimes suppositories or enemas are used. All and all, mistletoe can be a serious part of your healing protocol, whether you use conventional cancer treatment methods or not.
Editor’s Note: This article was initially published in 2021 and has been updated in 2024.
The article about mistletoe was quite interesting. Journey through Asia is great. Tears welled up in my eyes as you spoke about your Mom and Dad. I loved talking with your Mom at school. The best field trip in all my years of teaching was the trip to Roaring Run. Your dad talked about his work in the National Forests; the students were mesmerized. Your family has been a blessing to many.
Thank you for doing what you do. And living the way you do as models for sustainable healthful living…which includes how you raise your children. I so believe in your mission. Be well…jean
Lectins are apoptosis. This seems contrary to all other articles concerning LEAKY GUT which is the culprit in causing inflammation. Please explain why lectins should not be avoided or possibly the preparation prior to consuming. Thanks in advance of your comments.
Loved the TTAC tour thru the Mid East. Very informative.
Hi Nick – you are correct.
While this study shows that lectins can be beneficial in moderation, like most things large amounts can be problematic.
Be sure to consult a health professional prior to adding mistletoe extracts to your diet in order to find the best option for you!
Blessings and love! 🙂
Dr. Nasha Winters addresses this question in this Q&A video she did on Mistletoe Therapy. I can’t explain it well, but she explains it perfectly. In a nutshell: Lectins in the digestive tract is very different than lectins in the bloodstream. Watch and listen to find out more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTE9PA8ytQ0
Thanks for answering this obvious question. Very helpful.
Thank you for exposing the government and defending our rights. Do not stop.
the mistletoe article is fantastic . Thank you . God bless
wondering what mistletoe supplement you recommend thanks michaele
Hi Michaele –
Thanks for your comment!
Unfortunately, we don’t have a specific brand recommendation for supplements at this time. But I would be happy to pass along this question/request on your behalf.
In the mean time, you could start with doing some research on USDA certified organic supplements available in a local shop or an online store. 🙂
If you have any further questions/concerns, please let us know as we are happy to help.
Blessings and love!
I love and bought the series. I need to know where I can purchase the mistletoe extract?
Reach out to BelieveBig.org or Dr. Mark Hancock in Atlanta, GA. Humanizing Medicine.
You may have touched on Alkaline water but just in case you haven’t can you direct me to a reputable site to seek supported information.
I love what you and your supporters are doing. Your mission is on top of my list !
Thank you for sharing your lives and knowledge.
Love all information you provide. Keep it up thank u so much. How can you buy mistletoe extract? Interesting article. I just start to explore with more herbs in my cooking.
Hi Janelle –
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It’s our pleasure to share all of the helpful information we learn.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a specific brand recommendation for supplements at this time. But I would be happy to pass along this question/request on your behalf.
In the meantime, you could start with doing some research on USDA certified organic supplements available in a local shop or an online store. 🙂
If you have any further questions/concerns, please let us know as we are happy to help.
Blessings and love!
Janelle: I have been on German mistletoe now for almost 3 years because I had colon cancer now metastised to liver. I get mine through my doctor…..she gets it then makes it up into the needles and I inject myself three times a week in stomach area. It is just five years since my operation and I feel really healthy. I would recommend anyone with a cancer diagnosis to at least inquire about it because it does work. I live in Canada and it is not covered by our medical, so it is an expensive endeavour, but when you think of the alternative, you go for life!
I found some dry Mistletoe herbs in the clearance at my local health food store. It says imported herb and they wrote on the package “for external use only”… perhaps to protect themselves. My question is what can be done with the herb in this form? Any suggestions for how I can prepare this or is it for using in a bath or something? Thanks! <
Dear Ty and Charlene, I loved your Eastern Medicine programmes and thank you for bringing them to the world. However, as someone who has Stage 4 bowel/liver cancer, I am at a loss to know how to use all this information to help me. Is there anyway I can find out which treatments would be useful please? I have started taking some of the supplements mentioned but would like to know if its ok to take different ones together and what other treatments I could have for my condition.
I am in England and live near London. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Jane –
We appreciate you reaching out to us about this.
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis – I’ll be sure to pray for you.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global Quest series so they can give you the most appropriate advice based on your exact condition.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I’m also attaching the info about the Hope4Cancer clinic in Tijuana, MX if you’d like to reach out to them.
http://www.hope4cancer.com/
https://hope4cancer.com/schedule-a-call/
Please also see the resources below in case they will be helpful to you.
From our beginning, we have supported charities that really help these cancer patients.
HealingStrong:
http://healingstrong.com/
https://www.facebook.com/healingstrong
HealingStrong supports MANY cancer patients and are amazing. HealingStrong, a nonprofit organization, is supported 100% by volunteers, who are experienced in using natural strategies. The organization’s mission is to educate, encourage, equip, and empower those seeking comprehensive natural strategies to heal strong and stay strong.
HealingStrong Connect Groups meet monthly in various areas of the U.S. and South Australia to link others interested in natural strategies, holistic protocols, and local resources. Their groups focus on mind, body and emotional healing based on Biblical promises, as they believe the God of the Bible is our healer. For more information on how to start a group, or become involved in one, please go to http://www.healingstrong.org/groups, and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healingstrong.
Cancer Crackdown is so awesome and helps patients without a lot of money get supplements and treatments and even helps them raise money:
http://cancercrackdown.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CancerCrackdown
Also, the Independent Cancer Research Foundation is another charity that we support, also known as Cancer Tutor. They have been a TREMENDOUS help for cancer patients and have a TON of life-saving information they give out freely and they do real research into treatments for cancer that are outside of the toxic Big Pharma Big 3:
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/independent-cancer-research-foundation/
The best that we can suggest is to contact Healing Strong and Cancer Crackdown for any need in financial resources.
We also support Mary Beth’s “Nick Gonzalez Foundation” which is bringing Nick’s protocol to the people…which is one of the most powerful cancer-killing protocols out there.
I hope this is helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again if there’s anything else we can help with.
Wishing you endless blessings and love!
I wanted to let you know that for whatever reason???? I am unable to pin anything from your site to pinterest. Not with the link at the top of this page or with the pinterest button extension that I have. Wondered if anyone else was having this problem? I appreciate all that you both do in support of choice in a person’s life. God bless you both.
Hi Constance –
Thanks for reaching out to us about this.
Pinterest is shutting down the accounts of major health warriors to silence us and censor our voices. We have a full article on this as well:
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/pinterest-censorship/
Wishing you endless blessings and love!
Dear Ty and Charlene, I need guidance on how to find information on alternative medicine for my rare cancer, Granulosa Cell Tumor. Even my alternative doctor told me there is little information on it. I went to the Cancer Control conference in Glendale, Ca and no one seemed to know about my cancer. It’s very discouraging. I don’t know where to look. I don’t know if I’m taking the right supplements or doing the right things. Any guidance at all would be a blessing. Thank you for all you do.
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie –
Thanks for reaching out to us.
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis – I’ll be sure to pray for you. I wish we had more info on this but we don’t have any articles or info on Granulosa Cell Tumors.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
Also, during our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I’m also attaching the info about the Hope4Cancer clinic in Tijuana, MX if you’d like to reach out to them.
http://www.hope4cancer.com/
https://hope4cancer.com/schedule-a-call/
Please also see the resources below in case they will be helpful to you.
From our beginning, we have supported charities that really help these cancer patients.
Cancer Crackdown is so awesome and helps patients without a lot of money get supplements and treatments and even helps them raise money:su
http://cancercrackdown.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CancerCrackdown
Also, the Independent Cancer Research Foundation is another charity that we support, also known as Cancer Tutor. They have been a TREMENDOUS help for cancer patients and have a TON of life-saving information they give out freely and they do real research into treatments for cancer that are outside of the toxic Big Pharma Big 3:
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/independent-cancer-research-foundation/
We suggest contacting Cancer Crackdown for any need in financial resources.
We also support Mary Beth’s “Nick Gonzalez Foundation” which is bringing Nick’s protocol to the people…which is one of the most powerful cancer-killing protocols out there.
I hope this is helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again if there’s anything else we can help with.
Wishing you endless blessings and love!
Many people have used mistletoe to help fight colon cancer even if it was stage 4.
Hi just wondering if this can be used for early stage prostate cancer ?
Thanks Ross
Hi
you guys are big hitters and I’m an unknown hippy from a backwater in the uk BUT been watching friends suddenly from nowhere get diagnosed stage 4 cancer in their 30s post jibbyjab …and the pathogenic priming is starting to kick off now after the booster jabs in the uk cancer is predicted to increase 20 fold in the next couple of years so with an explosion of cancer and of antibody mediated enhancement ..and this piece suggests that mistletoe is 1 cancer busting and 2 immunoregulatory…. could mistletoe be the much prayed for answer to the worst ravages of the jibbyjab
Can you think of a suitable scientist to ask?