Common Names: European mistletoe

Scientific Name: Viscum album

Background

• European mistletoe is a plant that attaches itself to various trees like apple, oak, pine, and elm, drawing nutrients from its hosts. Unlike American mistletoe, which is commonly associated with festive traditions in the United States, European mistletoe has a different profile and usage.

• Historically, European mistletoe has been part of herbal practices, used for symptoms ranging from seizures to headaches, and even hormonal changes such as those during menopause. More recently, it has been promoted as a potential therapy for cancer.

• In several European countries, injectable mistletoe preparations are available by prescription. These extracts are also offered as oral supplements. However, in the United States, the FDA has not approved European mistletoe for treating cancer or any other condition.

How Much Do We Know?

• Although there has been interest in examining European mistletoe as part of cancer treatment, the overall understanding of its effectiveness is still limited. Most investigations have focused on injected forms given by health professionals. Very little is known about how it works when taken by mouth.

What Have We Learned?

• Currently, there is no definitive proof that European mistletoe is an effective cure for cancer. It should only be considered under controlled clinical research settings.

• Some clinical trials in Europe have looked into mistletoe’s possible benefits for cancer patients, such as extended survival or better quality of life. However, these findings are often questioned due to major flaws—such as small sample sizes, lack of dosing details, and poorly designed protocols.

• Preliminary research supported by national health agencies in the U.S. looked at the safety of combining injected mistletoe extract with a cancer drug for patients with advanced cancer. The results showed that this combination was manageable for patients.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• Consuming European mistletoe leaves or berries by mouth can be dangerous and cause serious health problems.

• Injections of mistletoe extract may result in symptoms such as irritation where the needle is placed, headaches, fever, and chills. There have also been cases of severe allergic reactions.

• Talk to your doctor before using mistletoe or any herbal treatment, especially if you're taking prescription medicines, as the combination could be harmful.

• Using European mistletoe during pregnancy is considered potentially unsafe. Its safety during breastfeeding has not been well studied.

Keep in Mind

• Be proactive in your health decisions. Discuss any alternative or complementary options you are considering with a medical professional so that both of you can make informed choices together.

• Herbal products can be regulated differently depending on their ingredients, intended use, and how they are consumed. Those meant to be taken orally are often labeled as dietary supplements, which face fewer regulations than drugs.

• Unlike pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements don’t require pre-approval from the FDA before they can be sold. If safety issues arise, the agency can take action. Companies selling supplements are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and properly labeled before they reach the market.

Additional Resources

• Tips for Using Dietary Supplements Responsibly

• Understanding Interactions Between Medications and Supplements

• Interpreting Scientific Research Articles

NCCIH Information Center

The NCCIH Clearinghouse offers general information and educational resources about complementary health practices. It also provides access to scientific databases and publications. It does not offer personal medical advice, referrals, or specific treatment recommendations.

Phone: 1-888-644-6226 (toll-free in U.S.)

Relay Service (TRS): 7-1-1

Email: [email protected]

PubMed®

PubMed® is a database from the National Library of Medicine that contains abstracts and citations for articles from scientific and medical journals. It provides access to research on a variety of health topics.

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) – NIH

The ODS promotes the understanding and safe use of dietary supplements through research, public education, and published resources. It offers fact sheets and other materials about common supplements.

Email: [email protected]

Key References

• “European mistletoe,” NatMed Pro online resource, accessed October 13, 2023.

• Mansky PJ, Wallerstedt DB, Sannes TS, et al. 2013. Phase I trial of mistletoe extract with gemcitabine in patients with advanced tumors. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Article ID 964592.

• National Cancer Institute. "Mistletoe extracts (PDQ®)–patient version," accessed October 1, 2023.

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