Mistletoe Therapy

Mistletoe (Viscum album) extract is a natural, safe and effective adjunct to conventional treatment for many types of cancer. Treatment with mistletoe is not a cure for cancer but helps to improve quality of life and increase survival.

Mistletoe therapy has been shown to:

  • Diminish cancer-related pain and reduce the risk of tumour recurrence
  • Stimulate the immune system and support blood counts during conventional treatments
  • Offset the side effects of chemotherapy/radiation like nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and low energy

Effect On Survival

The vast majority of studies performed on mistletoe in the treatment of cancer have found that it increases survival time in cancer patients. This is a big deal, for an herbal medicine with very little side effects to have such a profound effect. Patients with pancreatic cancer1 , ovarian cancer2 , cervical cancer3 , breast cancer4 , liver cancer5 , colon cancer6 , glioma7 and melanoma8 have all shown an increased survival when studied with mistletoe, compared to similar cancer patients not being treated with mistletoe.

How does it work?

The vast majority of studies performed on mistletoe in the treatment of cancer have found that it increases survival time in cancer patients. This is a big deal, for an herbal medicine with very little side effects to have such a profound effect. Patients with pancreatic cancer , ovarian cancer , cervical cancer , breast cancer , liver cancer , colon cancer , glioma and melanoma have all shown an increased survival when studied with mistletoe, compared to similar cancer patients not being treated with mistletoe.

How is Mistletoe therapy Administered?

Mistletoe therapy is administered by subcutaneous injection into constantly changing sites of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.

The frequency of injections can be three times per week. In rapidly progressive cases, daily injections may be necessary. The treatment always begins with low doses. The dose is increased gradually, according to the patient’s reaction, until the therapeutic dose is reached. If the disease is advanced, a higher dosage is usually required.

Possible Side Effects

Often there is redness and swelling that develops at the injection site. Also, there is often a slight rise in temperature. These are actually positive reactions, indicating that the immune system is being activated. A local reaction in response to the mistletoe injection has been associated with better T-lymphocyte function, which demonstrates an activation of the immune system. For more information please visit helixor.com/mistletoe-therapy

When Can I Start Mistletoe Therapy?

There is no wrong time to start mistletoe therapy. It is a sensible supplement to standard treatment in every phase of cancer. Ideally, you should start mistletoe therapy as early as possible, preferably right after diagnosis and before any planned cancer surgery. You can also start before, during, and after a standard cancer therapy (e.g. chemo-/radiotherapy/hormone therapy), in consultation with your doctor.


1 Tröger W, Galun D, Reif M, Schumann A, Stanković N, Milićević M. Viscum album [L.] extract therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer: a randomised clinical trial on overall survival. Eur J Cancer. 2013 Dec;49(18):3788-97. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.06.043. Epub 2013 Jul 24. PMID: 23890767.

2 Hassauer W, Gutsch J, Burkhardt R. Welche Erfolgsaussichten bietet die Iscador-Therapie beim fortgeschrittenen Ovarialkarzinom? [What prospects of success does Iscador therapy offer in advanced ovarian cancer?]. Onkologie. 1979 Feb;2(1):28-36. German. doi: 10.1159/000214453. PMID: 392367.

3 Grossarth-Maticek R, Ziegler R. Prospective controlled cohort studies on long-term therapy of cervical cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador). Forsch Komplementmed. 2007 Jun;14(3):140-7. doi: 10.1159/000102956. Epub 2007 Jun 22. PMID: 17596694.

4 Grossarth-Maticek R, Ziegler R. Prospective controlled cohort studies on long-term therapy of breast cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador). Forsch Komplementmed. 2006 Oct;13(5):285-92. doi: 10.1159/000095378. Epub 2006 Oct 20. PMID: 17057389.

5 Mabed M, El-Helw L, Shamaa S. Phase II study of viscum fraxini-2 in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Br J Cancer. 2004 Jan 12;90(1):65-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601463. PMID: 14710208; PMCID: PMC2395314.

6 Cazacu M, Oniu T, Lungoci C, Mihailov A, Cipak A, Klinger R, Weiss T, Zarkovic N. The influence of isorel on the advanced colorectal cancer. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2003 Feb;18(1):27-34. doi: 10.1089/108497803321269304. PMID: 12667306.

7 Lenartz D, Dott U, Menzel J, Schierholz JM, Beuth J. Survival of glioma patients after complementary treatment with galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe. Anticancer Res. 2000 May-Jun;20(3B):2073-6. PMID: 10928154.

8 Augustin M, Bock PR, Hanisch J, Karasmann M, Schneider B. Safety and efficacy of the long-term adjuvant treatment of primary intermediate- to high-risk malignant melanoma (UICC/AJCC stage II and III) with a standardized fermented European mistletoe

Viscum album L.) extract. Results from a multicenter, comparative, epidemiological cohort study in Germany and Switzerland. Arzneimittelforschung. 2005;55(1):38-49. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1296823. PMID: 15727163

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/mistletoe-pdq#link/_8