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Nutritional Supplement

Mistletoe

How to Use It

Traditionally a cold water extract (cold infusion) is made by soaking 2–4 teaspoons (10–20 grams) of chopped mistletoe in two cups (500 ml) of water overnight.29 This is taken first thing in the morning and can be sweetened with honey. Another batch is left to steep during the day and drunk at bedtime. Alternately a hot tea can be made by infusing 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of leaves in a cup (250 ml) of just-boiled water for 5–10 minutes. Two cups (500 ml) are consumed per day.29 A tincture, approximately 1/8 teaspoon (1/2 ml) three times per day, can also be used.

At least three standardized, injectable extracts have been studied in Europe: Iscador, Helixor, and Eurixor. These products are not designed for self-treatment and are not commercially available in the United States. Iscador is the only fermented extract of the three, and each is standardized in a different way, making comparisons between the extracts difficult. In addition, there are different forms of each extract taken from mistletoe growing on different host trees. Typically, one weekly injection providing 1 mg of mistletoe lectin I per kilogram of body weight is given. People interested in subcutaneous or other injectable forms of mistletoe should consult with a physician.

References

1. Hajto T. Immunomodulatory effects of Iscador: A Viscum album preparation. Oncology 1986;43(suppl 1):51-65.

2. Bocci B. Mistletoe (Viscum album) lectins as cytokine inducers and immunoadjuvant in tumor therapy. A review. J Biol Reg Homeostatic Agents 1993;7:1-6.

3. Bloksma N, Schmiermann P, de Reuver M, et al. Stimulation of humoral and cellular immunity by Viscum preparations. Planta Med 1982;46:221-7.

4. Jurin M, Zarkovic' N, Hrzenjak M, Ilic' Z. Antitumorous and immunomodulatory effects of the Viscum album L preparation Isorel. Oncology 1993;50:393-8.

5. Khwaja TA, Dias CB, Pentecost S. Recent studies on the anticancer activities of mistletoe (Viscum album) and its alkaloids. Oncology 1986;43(suppl 1):42-50.

6. Yarnell E. Is Viscum album a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer? HealthNotes Review 1999;6:88-90 [review].

7. Kleijnen J, Knipschild P. Mistletoe treatment for cancer. Review of controlled trials in humans. Phytomedicine 1994;1:255-60.

8. Bowman IA. The everlasting mistletoe and the cardiovascular system. Texas Heart Inst J 1990;17:310–4.

9. O'Hare JP, Hoyt LH. Mistletoe in the treatment of hypertension. New Eng J Med 1928;199:1207-13.

10. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1985, 158-60.

11. Gray AM, Flatt PR. Insulin-secreting activity of the traditional antidiabetic plant Viscum album (mistletoe). J Endocrinol 1999;160:409-14.

12. Swanson-Flatt SK, Day C, Bailey CJ, Flatt PR. Evaluation of traditional plant treatments for diabetes: Studies in streptozotocin-diabetic mice. Acta Diabetologica Latina 1989;26:51-5.

13. Aldawsari H, Hanafy A, Labib G, Badr J. Antihyperglycemic activities of extracts of the mistletoes Plicosepalus acaciae and P. curviflorus in comparison to their solid lipid nanoparticle suspension formulations. Z Naturforsch C 2014;69:391–8.

14. Abdallah H, Farag M, Abdel-Naim A, et al. Mechanistic Evidence of Viscum schimperi (Viscaceae) Antihyperglycemic Activity: From a Bioactivity-guided Approach to Comprehensive Metabolite Profiling. Phytother Res 2015;29:1737–43.

15. Ko B, Kang S, Moon B, et al. A 70% Ethanol Extract of Mistletoe Rich in Betulin, Betulinic Acid, and Oleanolic Acid Potentiated beta-Cell Function and Mass and Enhanced Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2016;2016:7836823.

16. Park J, Kim Y, Kim J, et al. Viscothionin purified from mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi) induces insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. J Ethnopharmacol 2019;234:172–9.

17. Abdallah H, Farag M, Abdel-Naim A, et al. Mechanistic Evidence of Viscum schimperi (Viscaceae) Antihyperglycemic Activity: From a Bioactivity-guided Approach to Comprehensive Metabolite Profiling. Phytother Res 2015;29:1737–43.

18. Eno A, Ofem O, Nku C, et al. Stimulation of insulin secretion by Viscum album (mistletoe) leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Afr J Med Med Sci 2008;37:141–7.

19. Turkkan A, Savas H, Yavuz B, et al. The prophylactic effect of Viscum album in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. North Clin Istanb 2016;3:83–9.

20. Nazaruk J, Orlikowski P. Phytochemical profile and therapeutic potential of Viscum album L. Nat Prod Res 2016;30:373–85.

21. Khan T, Ali S, Qayyum R, et al. Intestinal and vascular smooth muscle relaxant effect of Viscum album explains its medicinal use in hyperactive gut disorders and hypertension. BMC Complement Altern Med 2016;16:251.

22. Poruthukaren KJ, Palatty PL, Baliga MS, et al. Clinical evaluation of Viscum album mother tincture as an antihypertensive: a pilot study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2014;19:31–5.

23. Bowman IA. The everlasting mistletoe and the cardiovascular system. Texas Heart Inst J 1990;17:310–4.

24. Gorter R, Khwaja T, Linder M. Anti-HIV and immunomodulating activities of Viscum album (mistletoe). Int Conf AIDS 1992;8:84 [abstract no. PuB 7214].

25. Gorter R, Stoss M, el Arif N, et al. Immune modulating and anti-HIV activities of Viscum album (Iscador). Int Conf AIDS 1993;9:496 [abstract no. PO-B28-2167].

26. Walker BG. The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983, 661-3.

27. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 512-3.

28. Urech K. Mistletoe constituents and cancer therapy. J Anthroposophical Med 1993;10:54-63.

29. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1985, 158-60.

30. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1985, 158-60.

31. Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis J. American mistletoe exposures. Am J Emerg Med 1997;15:516-20.

32. Spiller HA, Willias DB, Gorman SE, Sanftleban J. Retrospective study of mistletoe ingestion. Clin Toxicol 1996;34:405-8.

33. Bauer C, Oppel T, Rueff F, Przybilla B. Anaphylaxis to viscotoxins of mistletoe (Viscum album) extracts. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2005;94:86-9.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.