Mistletoe Therapy

About this approach

Mistletoe therapy uses extracts of a plant that grows on trees. Some integrative cancer practices offer injections alongside conventional treatment, often with the aim of improving wellbeing or treatment tolerance. Preparations and routes differ, so findings about one extract cannot automatically be applied to another. Research has not established mistletoe as a replacement for cancer treatment or a reliable way to prolong survival.

Where it fits: Investigational complementary treatment; cancer-control benefit is unproven

Where this treatment is used

Studies have examined symptoms, quality of life and cancer outcomes, but the evidence is difficult to interpret. NCI identifies important weaknesses in many trials, including small samples, inconsistent products and study designs that can introduce bias. Some studies report quality-of-life improvements, while others find no difference. An improvement in fatigue or wellbeing would not by itself demonstrate that a tumor is shrinking. Most clinical research concerns injected preparations; teas, raw plant material and oral supplements are different exposures. Mistletoe extracts are not FDA-approved cancer treatments. A useful assessment should compare the proposed product with the actual trial preparation and consider whether a supervised clinical study is available.

Procedure and practical considerations

Injection-site inflammation, fever, chills, headache, nausea and fatigue can occur. Severe allergic reactions have been reported, and some preparations have been associated with liver problems. Raw mistletoe can be poisonous. Share all medicines, especially blood thinners, and the proposed product with the treating team before starting; monitoring and interaction questions remain important even when a preparation is described as natural.

Clinics reporting this approach

These clinic profiles mention this approach in their published materials. Open a profile to compare locations, services, practical details, and ways to get started.