Healthy living
Complementary therapies
Mistletoe, good for kissing under but not for curing cancer
Mistletoe or myth, the herb once thought to help cure cancer is only good for the Christmas tradition after all
Amorous couples have kissed under the mistletoe for thousands of years, without any serious side effects. The tradition dates back to pagan times when boughs of the parasitic plant were hung at doorways to promote fertility. However, a more recent practice - using the herb to try and cure cancer - may cause serious harm, according to a report published in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal.
In one case, a cancer patient who injected himself with mistletoe to try and treat his condition, had to be admitted to hospital with a tumour like growth under the skin. Other reported side effects from injecting mistletoe extract include allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, pain in the joints and even kidney failure. And some research has even suggested mistletoe extract may encourage the spread of cancer.
Mistletoe has become an extremely popular alternative treatment for cancer, particularly in continental Europe. A Google search revealed 145,000 websites that promote or mention mistletoe to help fight cancer. There are at least 30 different mistletoe preparations available, and in Germany the insurance system actually pays for the treatment.
Mistletoe is believed to be an effective treatment for cancer because it is a parasite that attacks its host, a bit like cancer cells. Studies have shown that mistletoe or its main constituents do have anticancer activity, however this is true of many plants and yet in most cases the compounds cannot be used.
According to Cancer Research UK, "Treatment with extract of mistletoe (Iscador) has been shown to boost white blood cells, but there is no study evidence that it can slow or cure cancer."
Add to that the high cost of the injections, and mistletoe is recommended for one thing and one thing only - a Christmas decoration for kissing under during the festive season.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
