Mistletoe (Viscum album) Research
Latin Name: Viscum album
Family: Santalaceae
There is limited scientific research on the human use of mistletoe. However, more research is warranted on the topic of mistletoe supplements as a cancer treatment. Its viscotoxins may have an apoptotic and cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. Further, it has shown potential as an anti-inflammatory, sedative, hypotensive, and anti-diabetic.
RESEARCH
The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.
GENERAL
- Natural Standard (2015). Mistletoe Monograph. www.naturalstandard.com
- ACHS (2017). Course Material: Herb502: Mistletoe Monograph. www.achs.edu
- The author summarizes the anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, sedative, and anti-arthritis effects of mistletoe. From: Nazaruk, J., & Orlikowski, P. (2016). Phytochemical profile and therapeutic potential of Viscum album L. Natural product research, 30(4), 373-385.
- Research was reviewed on the following therapeutic actions of mistletoe: immunomodulatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-oxidant, cytotoxicity, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and sedative activities. From: Singh, B. N., Saha, C., Galun, D., Upreti, D. K., Bayry, J., & Kaveri, S. V. (2016). European Viscum album: a potent phytotherapeutic agent with multifarious phytochemicals, pharmacological properties and clinical evidence. RSC Advances, 6(28), 23837-23857.
SAFETY
- Mistletoe can cause serious side effects, with a low therapeutic margin. Do not consume more than three mistletoe berries or two leaves (Natural Standard, 2015).
- Not for home use / self-medication. Excessive use can cause seizures, low heart rate, contracted pupils, low blood pressure, hepatoxicity, vomitting, diarrhea, intestinal cramps, coma, and even death (Natural Standard, 2015).
- Definately not for use with pregnancy possible abortifacient; not for use with lactation (Natural Standard, 2015).
- May interact with the following types of drugs: antihypertensive, hepatotoxic, immunosuppressant (Natural Standard, 2015).
- Avoid around the time of surgery (Natural Standard, 2015).
ANTI-CANCER
- In a systematic review of mistletoe used to treat cancer, qualitative studies were examined. It showed clients believed improved physical and psychological well being along with fewer chemotherapy side effects, when taking a mistletoe supplement. More research is needed. From: Evans, M., Bryant, S., Huntley, A. L., & Feder, G. (2016). Cancer patients’ experiences of using mistletoe (Viscum album): A qualitative systematic review and synthesis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 22(2), 134-144.
- In a review of human clinical trials, the author found the following herbs / constituents effective in possibly treating certain types of cancer: curcumin, green tea, resveratrol and mistletoe. More human studies are warranted. Hosseini, A., & Ghorbani, A. (2015). Cancer therapy with phytochemicals: evidence from clinical studies. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 5(2), 84.Iscador is an extract of mistletoe commonly used in cancer treatment in Germany; it demonstrated a lengthened survival time in cancer patients in a long term epidemiologic long term study of over 10,000 patients. From: Grossarth-Maticek, R., Kiene, H., Baumgartner, S. M., & Ziegler, R. (2001). Use of Iscador, an extract of European mistletoe (Viscum album), in cancer treatment: prospective nonrandomized and randomized matched-pair studies nested within a cohort study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(3), 57.
- The apoptosis inducing activity of extracts from Viscum album (as it relates to cancer treatment) were studied. From: Büssing, A., & Schietzel, M. (1998). Apoptosis-inducing properties of Viscum album L. extracts from different host trees, correlate with their content of toxic mistletoe lectins. Anticancer research, 19 (1A), 23-28.
- Research on the anticancer activities of mistletoe are presented. From: Khwaja, T. A., Dias, C. B., & Pentecost, S. (1986). Recent studies on the anticancer activities of mistletoe (Viscum album) and its alkaloids. Oncology, 43(Suppl. 1), 42-50.
- The authors reviewed 26 randomized controlled trials and 10 non-RCTs regarding the effects of mistletoe on cancer patients and quality of life. From: Kienle, G. S., & Kiene, H. (2010). Influence of Viscum album L (European mistletoe) extracts on quality of life in cancer patients: a systematic review of controlled clinical studies. Integrative cancer therapies.
MUSCLE STRENGTH
- In a 12 week study of participants over the age of 60, a mistletoe supplement improved muscle strength compared to placebo. From: Lim, N. J., Kim, J., Kim, J. Y., & Kwon, O. (2016). Supplementation of Viscum album L.(mistletoe) might have a favorable effect on aging-related muscle loss: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The FASEB Journal, 30(1_supplement), lb210-lb210.
Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski
Updated: 12/10/18
