Mistletoe extract
injections, used widely in Europe. Herbs & mushrooms.
- Verdict
- UnclearThere isn't enough human evidence to say either way.
- How sure
- Rung 2 · LimitedFew, small or conflicting human studies, or only indirect measures such as blood markers.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Several (mixed results)
What the evidence shows
Some studies reported better survival with mistletoe extract in breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancer; others, in lung cancer and melanoma, found none. The National Cancer Institute says many studies were small or poorly designed and the findings should be read with caution. Side effects are usually mild (soreness at the injection site, fever, headache, fatigue), though a few severe allergic reactions have been reported. The FDA hasn't approved it.
What to do
Not a substitute for treatment. If you're considering it, talk with your oncologist first.
Sources
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Related
Every supplement we rated, or follow one cancer step by step: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.