Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2001 Jul-Aug; 5(4): 183-4.

Patients are talking about ... Iscador (mistletoe).

Decker G.

Mistletoe generally is categorized as American mistletoe or European mistletoe. Despite its well-known potential for toxicity, mistletoe continues to be used as an herbal remedy and recently has received a great deal of media attention. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified mistletoe as a food additive that cannot be marketed unless proven safe for consumption (DerMarderosian, 1992). Several components of the plant have been found to possess antineoplastic activity and warrant further investigation for their clinical potential. At this time, however, mistletoe as a single-agent therapy has not been scientifically validated in the treatment of breast cancer.