Evidence supporting the use of: Mistletoe
For the health condition: Convalescence

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Mistletoe (Viscum album and related species) has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, including as a supportive agent during convalescence—the period of recovery after illness. Historically, it was believed to have restorative properties, help improve general vitality, and support the immune system. In folk medicine, mistletoe was often administered as a tonic to those recovering from chronic or severe illnesses, likely due to its perceived ability to strengthen the body and promote circulation.

However, scientific evidence supporting the use of mistletoe specifically for convalescence is limited. Most modern research on mistletoe extracts focuses on their potential use as adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment, particularly in Europe, where some clinical trials have explored effects on quality of life and immune modulation in cancer patients. These studies do not directly address general convalescence after non-cancer illness. There are few, if any, rigorous clinical studies evaluating mistletoe’s effectiveness in aiding recovery from non-cancer illnesses, and its use for this purpose is not widely recognized in evidence-based medicine.

In summary, the use of mistletoe for convalescence is primarily supported by traditional practices rather than robust scientific evidence.

More about Mistletoe
More about Convalescence

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