Information on Unconventional Therapies

Herbal Therapies

In this section we describe therapies that use herbs and herbal mixtures as their main treatment. We have selected therapies that we have found information about, which are relatively popular and which are potentially available.

Iscador

What It Is and How It Works

Iscador is a preparation made from different kinds of mistletoe. Mistletoe is a plant with white berries that grows on trees. There are different preparations of iscador. Each preparation is classified according to the type of tree on which the mistletoe grows. Iscador is prepared through fermentation.

Supporters believe that cancer is caused by an imbalance in cell division and growth. They claim that iscador can correct this imbalance and may enhance your immune system and inhibit tumour cell growth.

Iscador is given both as a single treatment and as part of a broader treatment program intended to improve your immune system's functioning. In Europe, iscador is often one component in a larger therapeutic approach. It is usually combined with a vegetarian diet and specific relaxing activities such as music, painting, exercise and massage.

Iscador is usually given by injection, although you can also take it orally. The injected treatment typically consists of one injection each day for 14 days. Preparations vary according to where the cancer is located.

Those who promote iscador as a cancer treatment claim it works best with cancers of the breast, cervix, ovaries, stomach, colon and lungs.

They recommend it be used as a:

  1. treatment for tumours that cannot be operated on
  2. pre-operative treatment of tumours
  3. complement to conventional treatment of solid tumours.

What To Be Aware Of

  1. Do not attempt to make your own mistletoe preparations. They can be very poisonous.
  2. Large doses of iscador can be damaging to your heart.

Where To Get It

Iscador can be obtained by physicians, through special permission from Health Canada. Information on how to obtain the treatment is available from the listings below. Iscador is generally given as part of a larger treatment program and cost may vary from one place to another.

Who To Contact

INFORMATION
Physicians Association for Anthroposophical Medicine
PO Box 269
Kimberton, Pennsylvania 19442
U.S.A.

Rudolf Steiner Fellowship Foundation
241 Hungry Hollow Road
Spring Valley, New York 10977
U.S.A.
Phone: (914) 356-8494
(914) 425-6835

TREATMENT CENTRES
Hufeland Klinik for Holistic Immunotherapy
Bismarckstr. 16
D-6990 Bad Mergentheim
Germany
Phone: 011-49-7931-7082

Klinik Friedenweiler
Kurhausweg 2
D-7829 Friedenweiler 2
Germany
Phone: 011-07651-208-0
Fax: 011-07651-208-116

Lukas Klinic
CH-4144 Arlesheim
Switzerland
Phone: 011-41-61-72-3333

What To Read Next

BOOKS
Moss, R.W. (1992). Cancer Therapy: The Independent Consumer's Guide to Non-Toxic Treatment and Prevention. New York, New York: Equinox Press.

Pelton, R. and Overholser, L. (1994). Alternatives in Cancer Therapy. Toronto, Ontario: Fireside.

Articles
Bocci, V. (1993). Mistletoe (viscum album) lectins as cytokine inducers and immunoadjuvant in tumour therapy. A review. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, 7 (1), 1-6.

Gabius, H.J. et al. (1994). From ill-defined extracts to the immunomodulatory lectin: Will there be a reason for oncological application of mistletoe? Planta Medica, 60(1), 2-7.

Hauser, S.P. (1993). Unproven methods in cancer treatment. Current Opinion in Oncology, 5(4), 646-654.

Kovacs, E. et al. (1991). Improvement of DNA repair in lymphocytes of breast cancer patients treated with viscum album extract (Iscador). Eurpoean Journal of Cancer, 27(12), 1672-1676.

Mellor, D. (1989). Mistletoe in homeopathic cancer treatment. Professional Nurse, 4(12), 605- 607.

Acknowledgements:
The Guide was written by the Ontario Breast Cancer Information Exchange Project (OBCIEP), adapted by the Atlantic Breast Cancer Information Project (ABCIP) and funded by Health Canada.
Waiver:
The purpose of the Atlantic Breast Cancer Information Project (ABCIP) is to provide public access to wide range of health and medical information, not to give medical advice or interpretation.
Information provided by ABCIP does not imply recommendation or endorsement and it is not a substitute for consultation with a health professional. Therefore, we encourge you to contact your health professional s