European mistletoe

Clinical Notes. Avoid ingestion of the fruits and seeds (if seeds ingested call 911, induce vomiting, and use activated charcoal) Intradermal injection for immunostimulant/anti-neoplastic actions Oral for hypotensive action Mild initial action, w/ more results after longer use Combines well w/ other herbs for hypertension May destroy certain kinds of cancer cells by blocking the production of specific proteins needed by cancer cells but not by normal cells, may increase the ability of the immune system to attack cancer cells, helps prevent metastatic spread, aids recovery and extends survival time Retards bone metastases Results are less promising for inoperable cancers of breast, lungs and esophagus For more information...

Action and Therapy. Viscum has toxic properties. Vomiting and bloody and tenesmic catharsis, prostration, contraction of the pupils, muscular spasm, convulsions and coma have been reported from eating the plant and berries. Its action would suggest its possible value in nervous disorders, and it has been used like strychnine in heart disorders with feeble pulse, dyspnea, edema, and inability to lie down. It is also asserted to possess parturient properties, but they do not compare with those of ergot, and the drug is almost never used for these purposes. It should be reserved for the conditions mentioned under “Specific Indications”, and even in these it needs further study.

Therapy. In its action on the womb it is in some particulars superior to ergot. It is a drug capable of producing intermittent uterine action, as distinguished from the tonic contractions caused by some other oxytocic medicines.

Physiological Action. Several cases of severe poisoning from eating the leaves and berries are on record. It produces vomiting, prostration, coma, contraction of the pupil, with muscular spasm. In other cases it produces tenesmus, bloody stools, convulsions, emesis, catharsis and death.