Iscador (Mistletoe)

Mistletoe extracts, marketed under several trade names such as Iscador, Helixor, Eurixor and Isorel, are anti-cancer agents that are administered subcutaneously in an injectable form. Mistletoe can stimulate the immune system, inhibit tumour growth, reduce tumor size, reduce metastases, improve the quality of life and survival of some cancer patients, and help reduce pain and side effects of conventional cancer treatments.

Mistletoe (Viscumin album), a parasitic plant that can be found growing on a number of different tree species, has been in clinical use since the 1920's.  Mistletoe contains cytotoxic lectin, viscumin. It also contains a number of cytotoxic proteins and polypetides (viscotoxins). Various lectins are both cytotoxic and immunostimulatory. 

Research studies have found Mistletoe to induce tumor necrosis, increase natural killer cell activity, increase production of interleukins 1 and 6; activate macrophages; induce programmed cell death (apoptosis), and protect DNA in normal cells during chemotherapy.

Mistletoe was first proposed for the treatment of cancer in 1920 by Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian Swiss physician who founded the Society for Cancer Research to promote mistletoe extracts and anthroposophical medicine. Subsequent product development was done by Dr. I Wegman.

Indications

• Cancer – Solid tumors
• Inoperable solid tumors – bladder, breast, lung and esophagus.
• Inflammatory Conditons
• AIDS

Links
For research or books on iscador/mistletoe, go to Lukas Clinic website at http://www.lukasklinik.ch/. They use these products in their treatment programs. Other information can be found at: http://commonweal.org/index.html
http://www.cam-cancer.org/index.asp?o=2122

Questions?
If you have any questions about Iscador (Mistletoe)  or would like more information on our programs or services, you can contact IMI at 403.233.0917 or by email at info@i-medi.org