Evidence supporting the use of: Mistletoe
For the health condition: Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Mistletoe (Viscum album) extracts have been used as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment, particularly in Europe, for nearly a century. The rationale for their use is partly traditional, but numerous clinical studies have investigated their potential to improve quality of life and reduce chemotherapy side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and immunosuppression. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that mistletoe extracts may reduce the severity of chemotherapy-induced side effects and improve patient well-being, although the methodological quality of these studies varies, and some have significant limitations such as small sample sizes or lack of blinding. A 2019 Cochrane review concluded that mistletoe extracts might have beneficial effects on quality of life and tolerability of chemotherapy, but also highlighted the need for better-designed, larger trials to confirm these findings. The proposed mechanisms include immunomodulatory effects, such as increased natural killer cell activity and cytokine production. Regulatory agencies in some European countries allow the use of mistletoe preparations as supportive cancer care, whereas in others (such as the United States), its use remains controversial and is not approved by the FDA. Overall, while there is some scientific evidence supporting mistletoe’s use to reduce chemotherapy side effects, it is not universally accepted, and patients should consult with their healthcare providers before considering its use.
More about Mistletoe
More about Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Other ingredients used for Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acidAcemannan
AHCC
Alkylglycerols
Aloe vera
Alpha Glucans
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
anthocyanins
Antrodia camphorata
astaxanthin
astragalus
Baikal Skullcap
BCAA
benzyl isothiocyanate
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
Boswellic Acid
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
caryophyllene
chamomile
chlorella
Clostridium butyricum
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coix
colostrum
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
dithiolthiones
ergothioneine
fish oil
folinic acid
fucoidan
ginger
Glutamine
Glutathione
grape
green tea
Haematococcus pluvialis
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
Honokiol
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Hyphomycetes
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-carnosine
L-cysteine
L-glutamine
L-glutathione
L-glycine
L-taurine
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactoferrin
lactoglobulin
Lentinan
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
lion's mane
luteolin
Marine lipid
Matcha
Melatonin
Mesima
Methylselenocysteine
Milk Protein
Milk thistle
Mistletoe
Mushroom
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Oldenlandia diffusa
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peptides
Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)
phytocannabinoids
polysaccharides
pomegranate
probiotics
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
selenium
Selenomethionine
shiitake mushroom
Silychristin
soy isoflavones
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulforaphane
Thymidine
Thymoquinone
tributyrin
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Typhonium flagelliforme
Verbascoside
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
Whey protein
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Mistletoe
Cancer (natural therapy for)Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Circulation (poor)
Convalescence
Fatigue
Hypertension
Inflammation
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Pain (general remedies for)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Wounds and Sores
