Mistletoe Therapy

The extract of the mistletoe plant has been used as a complementary and integrative method to treat cancer for close to a century. Mistletoe injections are among the most widely used complementary cancer treatments in Europe, where it is approved in several countries for palliative care.

Mistletoe can be used in malignant tumours, for the stimulation of bone marrow activity and the immune system, and alongside conventional cancer treatments to offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation such as nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. It can also be used to help reduce tumour-related pain and may help to reduce the risk of tumour recurrence.

Mistletoe is one of the therapies we offer at the CCNM ICC as part of an integrative plan to support both the physical and emotional health of people living with cancer. Mistletoe can be administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection or as an intravenous (directly into the vein) infusion. Research on the use and benefits of intravenous mistletoe therapy in cancer is ongoing, such as at Johns Hopkins Medicine in the U.S.

Subcutaneous injections are taught at the CCNM ICC and then patients can continue to do these on their own at home. We follow all patients on mistletoe therapy closely with 15-minute mistletoe check-in appointments as needed. During these appointments we adjust the dosing based on each individual’s response. Intravenous mistletoe is administered at the CCNM ICC. The dose of mistletoe extract is slowly increased with each treatment over several weeks, depending on the response. Oftentimes, subcutaneous and intravenous mistletoe are used together at the same time. The dose and type of mistletoe is determined by your naturopathic doctor and is based on your physical condition, your cancer type, and characteristics, what conventional treatments you are also receiving, and your response to the therapy. We follow up and renew mistletoe prescriptions at subsequent follow up visits however we can also book a 15-minute mistletoe-only visit between follow up visits if necessary.