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Mistletoe: A Natural Cancer Treatment

Mistletoe extract injections are a natural cancer treatment helpful in improving quality of life and survival in most types of cancer while being very safe.

Dr. Colin MacLeod ND
Dr. Colin MacLeod ND
Updated January 9, 2026
Mistletoe: A Natural Cancer Treatment

History Of Mistletoe

Mistletoe (Latin name: Viscum album) is a plant which grows parasitically on pine, oak, elm and apple trees, among many others. There are hundreds of species of mistletoe growing throughout the world. European mistletoe was first described at length for medicinal use 2000 years ago. Modern research on mistletoe for the treatment of cancer began in Germany in the 1950s and has exploded over the past few decades.

Does Mistletoe Cure Cancer?

In short, mistletoe is not a cure for cancer although it does have an inhibitory effect on cancer cells and a stimulating effect on the immune system of a person with cancer. These effects can increase life-span and improve quality of life in cancer patients. This treatment should not be used in lieu of conventional cancer treatments but is an excellent natural adjunct to conventional treatment.

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 cancer1,2, ovarian cancer3,4, cervical cancer5, breast cancer6, liver cancer7, colorectal cancer8, brain cancer (glioma)9 and melanoma10 have all shown an increased survival when studied with mistletoe, compared to similar cancer patients not being treated with mistletoe.

Mistletoe And Quality Of Life

Mistletoe extract has also been studied extensively for its effect on quality of life in patients with cancer. The research shows that mistletoe improves many aspects of quality of life in patients with cancer including fatigue, sleep, exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, appetite, emotional well-being, depression, anxiety, concentration, ability to work, pain, diarrhea and adverse effects to conventional treatments11.

Mistletoe improves quality of life in cancer patients

How Does It Work?

Mistletoe acts in several ways to affect cancer cells including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation12,13, inhibition of the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)14 required for cancer spread and induction of cancer cell apoptosis (programmed cell death)15,16.

Mistletoe improves and refines the immune system’s function towards cancer including increasing release of immune-system enhancing cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF alpha18,19, increasing white blood cell count and activity20,21,22,23,24 and protection of white blood cell DNA against the dangerous effects of chemotherapy25,26.

Active Components

Mistletoe contains two major compounds which have regulatory effects on cancer cells and the immune system. Mistletoe lectins are cytotoxic (kill cancer cells) and are also powerful immune-stimulating compounds27. Viscotoxins, another constituent of the mistletoe plant, are also cytotoxic28,29 and have an immune stimulating effect30.

How Is Mistletoe Used?

Mistletoe is given by subcutaneous injection, just under the skin, typically nearby the site of a known cancerous growth. While it differs from IV therapy, both are forms of injectable treatments we offer. Injections of the mistletoe extract are minimally painful and are given every other day. Injecting mistletoe, rather than taking it orally allows it to act more directly on the immune system without being limited by digestive absorption or the liver’s “first pass effect”. Injecting mistletoe allows for a targeted treatment since it can be injected near the site of a known tumor or cancerous lesion.

Mistletoe injection technique

Safety Of Mistletoe

Mistletoe in the treatment of cancer is very safe when proper technique and protocol are followed. The most common adverse effects of this herbal treatment are redness or discomfort in the area surrounding the injection site, chills, fever and headaches. These reactions are not dangerous and are typically due to the immune response which is elicited by this natural treatment.

Mistletoe has no known major herb-drug interactions31,32 but allergic reactions to this herb have been reported in isolated cases33,34. People with auto-immune conditions should avoid this treatment due to its immune stimulating effect. Safety of mistletoe has not been assessed during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Forms Of Mistletoe

In Canada injectable mistletoe extract is available under the product names Iscador and Helixor. In my practice I typically use Iscador as it has a strong research supporting its use. Helixor is another excellent choice, depending on the individual patient and their state of health.

Recent Research Developments

Research on mistletoe therapy continues to grow. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis examining mistletoe therapy in cancer patients confirmed improvements in quality of life measures across multiple cancer types35. The review found consistent benefits for fatigue, sleep, emotional wellbeing and tolerance of conventional treatments.

Interest in mistletoe therapy has expanded in North America, with growing recognition from integrative oncology programs. While mistletoe remains primarily an adjunctive therapy used alongside conventional treatment, its safety profile and quality of life benefits make it a valuable option for many cancer patients seeking comprehensive care.

Mistletoe Therapy in Halifax

Mistletoe injections in the treatment of cancer are a viable adjunctive natural treatment option to conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgical treatment. If you are in the Halifax area and are interested in trying this treatment please contact Dr. Colin MacLeod ND to book an initial consultation. Learn more about our herbal medicine services.

References

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  2. Matthes H, Friedel WE, Bock PR, Zänker KS. Molecular mistletoe therapy: friend or foe in established anti-tumor protocols? A multicenter, controlled, retrospective pharmaco-epidemiological study in pancreas cancer. Curr Mol Med. 2010 Jun;10(4):430-9.
  3. Grossarth-Maticek R, Ziegler R. Prospective controlled cohort studies on long-term therapy of ovarian cancer patients with mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts iscador. Arzneimittelforschung. 2007;57(10):665-78.
  4. Hassauer W, Gutsch J, Burkhardt R. What prospects of success does Iscador therapy offer in advanced ovarian cancer? Onkologie. 1979 Feb;2(1):28-36.
  5. 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.
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  9. 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.
  10. 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. Arzneimittelforschung. 2005;55(1):38-49.
  11. Kienle GS, Kiene H. Review article: Influence of Viscum album L (European mistletoe) extracts on quality of life in cancer patients: a systematic review of controlled clinical studies. Integr Cancer Ther. 2010 Jun;9(2):142-57.
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  13. Büssing A, Lehnert A, Schink M, Mertens R, Schweizer K. Effect of Viscum album L. on rapidly proliferating amniotic fluid cells. Sister chromatid exchange frequency and proliferation index. Arzneimittelforschung. 1995 Jan;45(1):81-3.
  14. Elluru SR, Duong Van Huyen JP, Delignat S, Prost F, Heudes D, Kazatchkine MD, Friboulet A, Kaveri SV. Antiangiogenic properties of viscum album extracts are associated with endothelial cytotoxicity. Anticancer Res. 2009 Aug;29(8):2945-50.
  15. Büssing A, Suzart K, Bergmann J, Pfüller U, Schietzel M, Schweizer K. Induction of apoptosis in human lymphocytes treated with Viscum album L. is mediated by the mistletoe lectins. Cancer Lett. 1996 Jan 19;99(1):59-72.
  16. Mengs U, Göthel D, Leng-Peschlow E. Mistletoe extracts standardized to mistletoe lectins in oncology: review on current status of preclinical research. Anticancer Res. 2002 May-Jun;22(3):1399-407.
  17. Büssing A, Regnery A, Schweizer K. Effects of Viscum album L. on cyclophosphamide-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro: sister chromatid exchanges and activation/proliferation marker expression. Cancer Lett. 1995 Aug 1;94(2):199-205.
  18. Hajto T, Hostanska K, Frei K, Rordorf C, Gabius HJ. Increased secretion of tumor necrosis factors alpha, interleukin 1 and interleukin 6 by human mononuclear cells exposed to beta-galactoside-specific lectin from clinically applied mistletoe extract. Cancer Res. 1990 Jun 1;50(11):3322-6.
  19. Stein G, Berg PA. Non-lectin component in a fermented extract from Viscum album L. grown on pines induces proliferation of lymphocytes from healthy and allergic individuals in vitro. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1994;47(1):33-8.
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  22. Hamprecht K, Handgretinger R, Voetsch W, Anderer FA. Mediation of human NK-activity by components in extracts of Viscum album. Int J Immunopharmacol. 1987;9(2):199-209.
  23. Hajto T, Hostanska K, Gabius HJ. Modulatory potency of the beta-galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe extract (Iscador) on the host defense system in vivo in rabbits and patients. Cancer Res. 1989 Sep 1;49(17):4803-8.
  24. Kuttan G, Kuttan R. Immunological mechanism of action of the tumor reducing peptide from mistletoe extract (NSC 635089) cellular proliferation. Cancer Lett. 1992 Sep 30;66(2):123-30.
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  27. 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.
  28. Jung ML, Baudino S, Ribéreau-Gayon G, Beck JP. Characterization of cytotoxic proteins from mistletoe (Viscum album L.). Cancer Lett. 1990 May 30;51(2):103-8.
  29. Schaller G, Urech K, Giannattasio M. Cytotoxicity of Different Viscotoxins and Extracts from the European Subspecies of Viscum album L. Phytother Res. 1996;10:473–477.
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