Dissimilar to American mistletoe, European mistletoe is a liquid extract used as an alternative cancer treatment. The proponents of European mistletoe are deemed to contain certain substances that help boost the immune system, impede or cease cancer growth. (Various published reports show countering results.

How is European mistletoe taken?

Prescribed as a drug, the mistletoe extracts of Europe are taken by injection. In the United States, mistletoe injections have not been approved for treatment as of yet. According to recent health news, the National Institutes of Health is researching both the efficacy and safety of mistletoe injections in conjunction with chemotherapy medications or cancer treatment.

Can the European mistletoe extract be added to food or beverages?

Although European mistletoe extract is prescribed for injection. It is not recommended for consumption in the way of eating or drinking. A poisonous plant, mistletoe may trigger convulsions, vomiting, seizures even death if ingested. As a result, mistletoe plants should be kept out of reach of both children and family pets.

How effective is alternative medicine for quelling cancer?

While both alternative and complementary medicine treatments will not cure cancer entirely, many therapies may help alleviate the adverse effects that accompany cancer treatment. Traditional cancer treatments quite often impose substantial adverse effects and may not offer 100 percent effective results; specifically, if the
cancer therapy is challenging to treat and does not represent any desirable results.

These alternative and complementary treatments may glisten with opportunistic treatments. Overall, the longer an individual has been diagnosed with cancer, the more apt they to seek alternative cancer treatments. But bear in mind, just as many medical procedures come with adverse effects, the same can be true of complementary and alternative medicines.