5 Surprising Health Benefits of Mistletoe Injections
Mistletoe is a plant that grows in temperate regions around the world. It is also used as a cancer therapy.
More independent, high-quality clinical studies are required to determine if mistletoe extracts enhance cancer patients’ quality of life and survival.
Pregnant women should not use mistletoe because it might stimulate the uterus to expel the embryo. Anyone with an autoimmune disease should also not take it because it might cause the immune system to become more active.
Improved Immune System
Mistletoe injection benefits include immune system stimulation, which can enhance general health and cancer-fighting capacity. It does this by promoting the development of white blood cells, increasing cytotoxic activity, and improving lymphocyte sensitivity.
It also contains antioxidants, which can help to protect healthy cells from damage and reduce the risk of side effects from chemotherapy. It also contains chemicals called coumarins, which can kill cancer cells.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, mistletoe injections can improve your quality of life by relieving fatigue and nausea caused by chemotherapy. They can even increase energy levels and boost concentration.
Although mistletoe has been proven safe and effective in several clinical trials, you should consult your healthcare provider before taking it as a sole treatment. Mistletoe injections are generally safe, but berries and leaves can be toxic when consumed orally, and a high dose can cause serious harmful effects. If you have an autoimmune condition like multiple sclerosis, lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), or rheumatoid arthritis, you should avoid it.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Mistletoe extract lowers blood pressure in patients with cancer by decreasing the amount of adrenaline produced. This reduces the stress that causes high blood pressure and helps patients feel better.
Mistletoe contains several anticancer agents, including lectins and viscotoxins, that cause tumor cells to die or become less active. It also stimulates the immune system, which may increase the effectiveness of other treatments.
The lectins in mistletoe act by binding to certain cell receptors and causing them to bind to cancer cells, thus stimulating the death of these cells. The viscotoxins in mistletoe are believed to work similarly, killing cells by poisoning them.
Early research suggests that injecting mistletoe extract (Helixor) into the skin might help improve survival in people with uterus or breast cancer. It also lowers some people’s side effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of this treatment.
Reduces Pain
The holidays often conjure images of mistletoe hanging from the tree, but this festive winter plant has more to offer than a kiss. In addition to being a traditional symbol of Christmas, this evergreen plant is also a powerful healing tool for cancer patients. It’s been found to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, improve quality of life and even increase survival.
Scientists aren’t sure how mistletoe helps treat cancer, but they believe it’s because it contains compounds that boost the immune system and decrease the side effects of treatment. Mistletoe extracts contain various active substances, including lectins, viscotoxins, alkaloids, polysaccharides, membrane lipids, and flavonoids. Lectins, in particular, are thought to help fight cancer by binding to cells and modulating their behavior.
Another way mistletoe reduces pain is by improving blood circulation in the body. A study of mistletoe in animals found that it has anti-hypertensive and anti-atherogenic properties, which could lower blood pressure and reduce symptoms like pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Boosts Energy Levels
Mistletoe injections boost energy levels and provide a natural mood lift. Cancer patients commonly use mistletoe to lessen the adverse effects of chemotherapy and enhance their quality of life while undergoing treatment.
Mistletoe extracts contain several groups of biologically active compounds. These include viscotoxins and lectins, viscotoxins cause tumor cell death by poisoning the cells. Lectins bind to specific receptors on the surface of cancer cells and induce apoptosis, which is a process that destroys the cells and their contents.
The extracts can be given subcutaneously or intravenously, depending on the type of mistletoe used. They may also be administered through a vein or pleural cavity.
Mistletoe therapy should not be used during pregnancy since it can alter uterus hormones and increase the risk of miscarriage. It also shouldn’t be used by people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, it shouldn’t be used by people with heart disease or diabetes, as it can affect blood sugar and glucose levels.
Reduces Side Effects of Chemotherapy
The anticancer effects of mistletoe are attributed to the plant’s ability to boost and balance the body’s natural defenses against cancer. The plant can lessen the adverse effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, hair loss, exhaustion, discomfort, and the spread of malignant cells.
Mistletoe therapy is also known to help patients experience a better quality of life during and after treatment. The plant’s effectiveness may be because it stimulates and boosts the body’s natural disease-fighting processes while reducing stress and boosting immune function.
