Download Iscador: Nature`s Green gift to Chemotherapy

Iscador: Nature’s Green gift to Chemotherapy
By Melanie Gisler
There is a battle in the world today between humans and cancer. Over 12
million new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2007 resulting in 7.6 million
cancer deaths. The average was about 20,000 deaths a day worldwide. These
numbers are expected to continue to rise yearly. As an anthroposophical
physician, I have looked to Europe, the birth of anthroposophy, for adjuvant
approaches to traditional treatments.
As in the rest of the world, the most commonly prescribed cancer treatments
in Europe are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, which may be used
in combination or alone. Increasingly, however, even practitioners of
conventional cancer treatments have recognized the importance of
complementary cancer remedies. Derived from European mistletoe, Iscador
has been an essential component of integrative treatment protocols in Europe
for the past 80 years. It has been extensively researched at various clinics
and hospitals throughout Europe including the world renowned Lukas
Clinic in Switzerland.
The effects of mistletoe were first discovered in 1907 by a botanist named
Karl von Tubeuf who began to gather and research all that was known about
mistletoe in the fields of science, mythology, and cultural traditions. He
published a monograph in 1923 detailing the benefits of mistletoe in medical
care.
The first “anthroposophical mistletoe medicines” were made by Dr Ita
Wegman in 1917 and were proposed for the treatment of cancer in 1920 by
Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian physician who founded the society for cancer
research and anthroposophical medicine. Dr Wegman established the
Society for Cancer Research, and the production of Iscador (mistletoe in
Greek) specifically for cancer treatment was produced by Weleda in
Switzerland in 1921.
But what is Mistletoe?
Mistletoe or viscum album is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on certain
types of pine, oak and apple trees. It does not grow in the soil but in the bark
of trees. The plant takes in water and minerals from the host tree and returns
sugars back to the host plant by photosynthesis. It grows perpendicular to
the branch – in fact what fascinated anthroposophic researchers is that it
does not follow many of the laws of the plant kingdom. For instance it is
green (stores chlorophyll) all year long and is indifferent to light. It does not
grow on healthy trees, but in fact when the mistletoe is removed from certain
trees, the tree will die.
The growth of the plant is slow – it flowers after 5-7 years and is harvested
for use in medicines after 10-15 years.
The leaves, twigs, and berries are what are used to make the medicines.
It has been found that illnesses respond better to mistletoe from specific host
trees, for example mistletoe from apple trees may be used for ovarian
cancer.
How does it work?
Mistletoe contains proteins called lectins, which have a high biological
activity and are able to attach to sugar molecules to produce changes within
the cell.
The mistletoe compound is a combination of an enzyme (the A chain) and a
lectin (the B chain). The A chain was found to inhibit cell reproduction and
inhibit protein synthesis in the cell. The (the B chain) was found to stimulate
macrophages, and other white blood cells or release cell-destroying
chemicals. The mistletoe was found to strengthen the immune system and
selectively attack specific cells.
What is it used for?
All cancers
Solid tumors
Cervical dysplasias
Hepatitis
HIV
What are the benefits?
Inhibition of malignant growth
Reduces the risk of recurrences and metastases
Improvements in general conditions such as increased vitality,
appetite and weight
Restoration of normal sleep pattern
Improvement in mental state such as depression/anxiety
Improvement in quality of life and prolongation of life
Reduction of adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Improvement in Immune function
Current European research has shown that for localized tumors especially
of the breast, cervix, ovaries, stomach, colon and lungs survival may be
as much as 40% longer for patients using iscador than those on a 100%
conventional treatment protocol.
However Iscador is not considered a cure for cancer. It is as adjuvant to
other conventional treatments both before and after surgery so as to
promote rapid recovery and reduce adverse reactions, including the
spread of the cancer. Treatment with iscador is generally not claimed to
result in dramatic destruction of tumors but is thought to slow the growth
of tumors or stop tumor growth altogether. This is believed to lead to
gradual tumor regression resulting in improvement of quality of life.
For further information on the Use of European Mistletoe as an adjuvant
to cancer treatment, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Melanie
Gisler at (310) 451-8880 or contact her by e-mail at
[email protected]