Concerted effects of all constituents
The effectiveness of mistletoe extract appears to be not so much attributable to any individual constituent as to the concerted effects of all the substances contained in the whole extract – just as the desired overall sound of an orchestra is only brought about if all instruments play harmoniously together.
Inflammation and Fever
Mistletoe extract causes a mild inflammation of the skin with fever. This is a desired effect because it warms the body and stimulates its defences.
Protective effect
Mistletoe extract can protect the genes of healthy cells against the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
Effects
Mistletoe extract acts at different levels of the organism. The effects described in the following were either found in laboratory experiments on cell cultures or observed in cancer patients.
One major effect of mistletoe extract is that it stimulates the immune system (immune modulation):
- It can induce cancer cells to cause their own death (apoptosis), thus helping to stop or even reverse tumour growth.
In addition, mistletoe therapy has a direct effect on patients’ quality of life.
- Cancer patients taking mistletoe therapy feel better and stronger.
It has been shown in several studies that mistletoe therapy can prolong survival.
At a glance
Mistletoe extract activates the immune system and warms the organism. It improves patients’ quality of life and can even prolong survival.