Mistletoe extract (“Viscum album”) is a plant-based medicine that has been used for cancer care in Germany and Switzerland for 100 years. 80% of German oncologists utilize mistletoe as an adjunct to standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
Mistletoe is not meant to replace standard treatment, but to help improve quality of life during therapy and to augment and improve the results of conventional standard of care oncological treatments.
MIstletoe is quite unique that it doesn't grow in the earth. It grows by tapping into the wood of a "host" tree and nourishes itself directly from the tree. Mistletoe growth is not influenced by gravity or it's relationship to the sun. It grows in a spherical amorphous shape outward (not unlike a tumor) from a single point of attachment to the tree (see the photograph above). It's active growth occurs from April to June. It remains green through the late summer and fall and then flowers and bears fruit in December. Mistletoe contains over one thousand different identified constituents that are being evaluated for their clinical effective in the treatent of cancer.
The initial observable effect after the sub-cutaneous mistletoe injection is the redness, heat, and/or itching at the injection site. This is a sign that the mistletoe is activating the immune system causing a release of cytokines (immune messengers) that initiate a cascade of positive events including:
Many conventional oncologists are not knowledgeable about the benefits of Mistletoe therapy. Dr. Nelson has 15 years of successful clinical experience helping patients incorporate Mistletoe therapy into their cancer care.
Multiple studies have shown that mistletoe is easily combined with conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapies. Patients that combine mistletoe with standard of care oncology are better able to tolerate the side effects of their conventional care.
Disclaimer:
The therapeutic methods listed above for Viscum album extract (VAE) are safely and effectively administered in the world's most advanced integrative oncology hospitals and clinics but not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease. In the United States, mistletoe extract is considered an investigational botanical product, and its use remains outside of FDA-approved medical practice. The information provided here is for educational purposes only, summarizing published research and international experience to help patients make informed decisions.
Insurance: Because it is investigational, most insurers do not cover mistletoe products themselves. Some plans may cover standard office visits/consultations when you discuss supportive care options; coverage varies by payer and plan. Medicare and most commercial plans typically do not reimburse for the product.
Payment options: Many patients use HSA/FSA funds where permitted for related consultations or education. Patients should confirm eligibility with their benefits administrator.
Look for clinicians who:
Have formal training in integrative oncology and specific coursework on mistletoe.
Practice within state-defined licensure and scope (e.g., naturopathic medicine, integrative/functional medicine, oncology).
Provide evidence-based education, coordinate with your oncology team, and document shared decision-making.
There are very few oncologists in the US utlizing mistletoe in the cancer treatments. Dr. William D. Nelson, NMD, has over 15 years of clinical experience using mistletoe safely and effectively as part of integrative cancer care with thousands of patients.
He has completed more than 150 hours of advanced continuing education under the world’s leading mistletoe experts, reflecting international consensus on best practices in integrative oncology.
In 2024, Dr. Nelson attended the International Conference on the Advanced Use of Mistletoe in Integrative Oncology at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. While in Europe, he also visited four leading integrative oncology hospitals in Germany and Switzerland to review current clinical approaches, and met with scientists and quality-control teams at WALA, Helixor, Abnoba, and Weleda—the primary producers of Viscum album extract worldwide.
At Explore Health, in Scotsdale, AZ, Dr. William D. Nelson, NMD, provides educational guidance and clinical oversight for patients exploring mistletoe therapy and related integrative modalities—prioritizing individualized plans, safety, and informed discussion.
Patients interested in utilizing mistletoe therapy should contact our office at 602-692-4626. Dr. Nelson will help determine the best variety of mistletoe, the best route of administration, and a program that meets your individual needs.
Explore Health
7320 E Deer Valley Rd, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(602) 692-4626
Kienle GS, Kiene H. Review of 26 controlled clinical trials on mistletoe extract and quality of life. Integr Cancer Ther. 2010.
Ostermann T, et al. Systematic review: mistletoe therapy improves quality of life outcomes. BMC Cancer. 2009.
Tabiasco, et al. “Mistletoe viscotoxins increase natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity,” Eur. J Biochem., May 2002;269(10):2591-600.
Increase in CD8(+) cells: E. Gardin. “Immunological response to mistletoe in cancer patients” Phytother. Res., Mar. 2009;23(3):407-11.
Increase in Cytotoxic T cells: J Beuth, et al. “Behavior of lymphocyte subsets and expression of activation markers in response to immunotherapy with galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe in breast cancer patients” Investig., Aug. 1992:70(8):658-61.
M. Moon, et al. “Effect of mistletoe on endometrial stronmal cell survival and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in patients with endometriosis,” Int. J. Med. Sci, Oct 2018 20;15(13):1530-36
B. Park, et al. “Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis by Korean mistletoe lectin is associated with apoptosis and antiangiogenesis,” Cancer Biother Radiopharm, Oct. 2001;16(5):439-47
Stirpe, et al. “Inhibition of protein synthesis by a toxic lectin from Viscum album L,” Biochem J., 1980;190(3):843-45.
Kovacs, et al “Improvement of DNA repair in lymphocytes of breast cancer patients treated with VAE (Iscador)” Eur. J. Cancer 1991;27(12):1672-6
M Woynarowski and J. Konopa. “Interaction between DNA and viscotoxins from Viscum album L,” Hoppe Seylers A. Physiol. Chem. , Oct. 1980;361(10):1535
M. Stein and P. A. Berg. “Evaluation of the stimulatory activity of a fermented mistloe lectin-1 free VAE on T-helper cells and monocytes in healthy individuals in vitro.” Arzneimittelforschung, June 1996;46(6);635-39.
S. Kienle and H. Kiene. Mistletoe in Oncology: Facts and Basic concepts. New York: Schatauer, 2003
M. Stein, et al. “Stimulation of the maturation of dendritic cells by a fermented mistletoe extract,”Anticancer Res., Nov-Dec 2002;222(6C):4215-19.
N. Baxevanis, et al. “Mistletoe lectin I-induced effects on human cytotoxic lymphocytes” Immunopharm Immunotoxicology. Aug 1998;20(3):335-72.
Fischer, et al. “Oligoclonal in vitro response of CD4T cells to vesicles of VAE in mistletoe-treated cancer patients,” Cancer Immunol. Immunother., My 1997;44(3):150-56
Hobohm. “Fever therapy revisited,” Br. J Cancer, 2005;92(3):421-5
The information above summarizes findings from peer-reviewed scientific studies that are publicly available through medical journals and research databases such as PubMed. These summaries are provided solely as an educational courtesy to individuals who wish to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Explore Health and Dr. William D. Nelson, NMD, do not make any medical claims regarding mistletoe or its effects. Mistletoe (Viscum album) is considered an investigational botanical product and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease. Patients are encouraged to discuss all treatment options with their licensed healthcare providers and to view this information as part of the broader scientific literature available to the public.
