Mistletoe for Breast Cancer

Suzanne Somers used misteloe extracts to treatextract known as Iscador begins with the grinding of
herself for breast cancer. According to her pressthe entire mistletoe plant, which is then soaked in
releases and interviews, she used it along withwater. The mistletoe water extract is then
various other forms of conventional care and naturalfermented, and finally filtered to produce the final
cancer treatment. Suzanne has been very pleasedproduct. Scientific research indicated that Iscador
with the outcome she obtained from the way hermay have at least two major mechanisms of action.
breast cancer was treated with a combination ofA portion of the Iscador material seems to improve
conventional and natural cancer therapies. What isimmune function. In particular, there is evidence that
mistletoe, and how is it used?Natural Killer Cells, which are immune system cells
Mistletoe is the leafy, flowering vine that is used forthought to fight cancer, are increased in activity
Christmas decorations. Perhaps its' most famous rolefollowing the administration of Iscador. Another
in American society is the custom of kissing whoeverinteresting potential effect of Iscador is to enhance
stands beneath the mistletoe. Mistletoe blooms inthe activity of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, also
winter. It appears to thrive in adverse situations suchimplicated in natural anti-cancer activity by the
as cold weather. The variety of mistletoe most oftenimmune system. Another portion of Iscador extract
utilized as homeopathic medication is the Europeanmay directly change the way cancer cells function.
mistletoe known as viscum album. Mistletoe vinesEvidence from scientific studies suggest that Iscador
grow on various trees, including pine, oak, and fruitmay modify the internal metabolism of malignant cells
trees. Some practitioners believe that viscum derivedin beneficial ways, including interfering with the
from vines grown on certain species of host treesgrowth of cancer cells. This may eventually prove to
imparts unique properties to the final medicinalbe Iscador's most important activity. However, more
preparation. Viscum preparations made from certainresearch is needed to elaborate on this possibility.
species of host trees are therefore utilized to treatThe common route of administration is by injection
specific types of cancers. The most commonly usedof the viscum just under the skin. As each day of
variants are viscum mali from apple trees which istherapy progresses, a more concentrated version is
used for cancer in female patients, viscum quercusadministered. After the first few daily doses, a red
from the oak tree for cancers in men, and viscumswelling often appears at the injection site. A
pini from the pine tree which is given a mixed use,short-term fever also is commonly seen with the
but is most famous for breast cancer.daily injections. Many doctors theorize that this fever
Mistletoe extract is most often administered only bymay play a positive role in the beneficial action of
qualified physicians because it is potentially poisonous.Iscador. After reaching the highest concentration of
The leaves and the berries of mistletoe are knownIscador, the injections are often continued for a
to be poisonous. Since it is produced from extractsweek or longer, depending upon the clinical situation
of the entire plant, an experienced medicalas judged by the treating physician. The side effects
practitioner is required to safely administer mistletoeof Iscador therapy can include low-grade fever, and
extracts. The production of a type of mistletoeredness and irritation at the injection sites.