Mistletoe and the Emerging Future of Integrative Oncology

"I cannot imagine a better introduction to mistletoe than the current volume. It is fascinating, clearly organized, and well written...a real page-turner for anyone interested in the tortuous journey of this widely misunderstood form of complementary treatment. Visitors to Germany are often amazed to discover the respect that physicians and patients have for a botanical treatment almost unknown in America--that is, mistletoe therapy and the broader category of anthroposophic medicine. Mistletoe has been approved for cancer in Germany since the 1960s. Even the U.S. National Cancer Institute states that mistletoe extracts are among the most widely prescribed drugs for cancer patients in Europe. Yet, in the U.S. mistletoe is either unknown or carelessly maligned. This situation is now changing because of a clinical trial at the renowned Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. This fact alone is causing greater awareness of mistletoe therapy and may help usher in a bright future for cancer patients seeking a more holistic form of treatment."

"More than an introduction to mistletoe therapy, this book is packed with information about this ancient yet "new" therapeutic option. Written for both the layman and the medically trained, the history and science of mistletoe along with relevant research are all reviewed. As a practicing Hyperbaric Medicine physician who regularly walks in the unconventional space, I found this information fascinating and completed my reading ready to charge forward. The authors will surely inspire those in both the functional medicine and allopathic community to incorporate the use of mistletoe as part of an integrative approach to the cancer patient. They have effectively helped to bridge the gap. The door has been opened!"

"This book is authored by some of the leading integrative oncologists who are on the cutting edge with their innovative approaches to treating one of the leading causes of death in the 21st century, cancer. If you or someone you love has cancer, this is a must have resource to learn about a non-toxic century old herb that has great promise in the comprehensive treatment program management of most cancers."

"This book provides a progressive and interesting look at alternatives to traditional cancer therapies, focused on provision of natural remedies as a component of integrative cancer care, especially utilizing Viscum Album Extract (VAE).

"It begins with an important review of the history of cancer research, which provides the framework for modern day holistic approaches, especially regarding cancer cell metabolism and immunotherapy. Dr Johnson and Winters have assembled an outstanding group of authors with an in-depth knowledge of both the mechanisms of action, and clinical application, of anthroposophic medicine. All cancer care providers, including allopathic physicians, can benefit from reading this book and adopting adjuvant practices to augment traditional cancer therapies.

"The conclusions are provocative, calling for a more detailed look at more effective means to induce the immune response in cancer patients; and to tailor the type of host inflammation from a chronic low-grade smoldering condition, into a more robust acute and episodic response, which can perturb metastatic sites and cause regression of primary lesions. The appendices provide practical algorithms and treatment schedules. Please expand your thinking about the etiology and management of cancer by reading this book."

Human disease is an elaborate dance between behavior, our environment, and chance. Medicine tries to tame human disease with science, but when our knowledge falls short, disease wins. This is too often the case with cancer. We spend billions of dollars each year trying to better understand it and develop tools to ease its effects.

Today, many allopathic medical practitioners are beginning to seek out a greater connection with holistic and integrative approaches. The authors of this book introduce one specific therapy and make a case for integrative health in general, including anthroposophically extended medicine, naturopathy, and other holistic approaches.

Mistletoe therapy has long been considered a viable treatment for cancer by the European medical community and is beginning to gain recognition in North America, as well. The mistletoe plant possesses many remarkable properties. As a therapy, it represents a rediscovery of ancient wisdom and shows us how the science of modern medicine might expand its reach and reconnect with a more human-centered medicine.

The book was structured following the syllabus for a three-day practitioner training hosted by the Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophic Medicine (PAAM). The chapters highlight several of our key lectures in a condensed form. The book serves as an introductory summary of―not a replacement for―those intensive professional trainings.

While this book should not be regarded as a treatment or diagnostic manual, it is intended to both prepare practitioners to begin mistletoe therapy training and to make this information available, in an accessible form, to anyone interested in learning about this approach to treating cancer.

Illustrated in color and b/w

“I cannot imagine a better introduction to mistletoe than the current volume. It is fascinating, clearly organized, and well written...a real page-turner for anyone interested in the tortuous journey of this widely misunderstood form of complementary treatment. Visitors to Germany are often amazed to discover the respect that physicians and patients have for a botanical treatment almost unknown in America―that is, mistletoe therapy and the broader category of anthroposophic medicine. Mistletoe has been approved for cancer in Germany since the 1960s. Even the U.S. National Cancer Institute states that mistletoe extracts are among the most widely prescribed drugs for cancer patients in Europe. Yet, in the U.S. mistletoe is either unknown or carelessly maligned. This situation is now changing because of a clinical trial at the renowned Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. This fact alone is causing greater awareness of mistletoe therapy and may help usher in a bright future for cancer patients seeking a more holistic form of treatment.” 

“This book is authored by some of the leading integrative oncologists who are on the cutting edge with their innovative approaches to treating one of the leading causes of death in the 21st century, cancer. If you or someone you love has cancer, this is a must have resource to learn about a non-toxic century old herb that has great promise in the comprehensive treatment program management of most cancers.”

“More than an introduction to mistletoe therapy, this book is packed with information about this ancient yet “new” therapeutic option. Written for both the layman and the medically trained, the history and science of mistletoe along with relevant research are all reviewed. As a practicing Hyperbaric Medicine physician who regularly walks in the unconventional space, I found this information fascinating and completed my reading ready to charge forward. The authors will surely inspire those in both the functional medicine and allopathic community to incorporate the use of mistletoe as part of an integrative approach to the cancer patient. They have effectively helped to bridge the gap. The door has been opened!”

“This book provides a progressive and interesting look at alternatives to traditional cancer therapies, focused on provision of natural remedies as a component of integrative cancer care, especially utilizing Viscum Album Extract (VAE).

“It begins with an important review of the history of cancer research, which provides the framework for modern day holistic approaches, especially regarding cancer cell metabolism and immunotherapy. Dr Johnson and Winters have assembled an outstanding group of authors with an in-depth knowledge of both the mechanisms of action, and clinical application, of anthroposophic medicine. All cancer care providers, including allopathic physicians, can benefit from reading this book and adopting adjuvant practices to augment traditional cancer therapies.

“The conclusions are provocative, calling for a more detailed look at more effective means to induce the immune response in cancer patients; and to tailor the type of host inflammation from a chronic low-grade smoldering condition, into a more robust acute and episodic response, which can perturb metastatic sites and cause regression of primary lesions. The appendices provide practical algorithms and treatment schedules. Please expand your thinking about the etiology and management of cancer by reading this book.”

Steven Johnson served as Co-Chief Resident of Internal Medicine at the University of Massachusetts affiliated hospitals in Worcester (1996). He directed one of the first inpatient integrative medicine clinics in the US and now directs the first European Mistletoe/Integrative Medicine Training Program in North America. Dr. Johnson has written numerous articles and lectured internationally. He is currently the president of the Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophic Medicine (PAAM) and founder of the Foundation for Health Creation. Currently Dr. Johnson works part time in private practice at Collaborative Medical Arts in upstate New York and also practices with adults with special needs at Camphill Village in Copake, New York. Dr. Johnson is an avid student of medicinal botany, and serves as a consultant for integrative and anthroposophic pharmacy.

Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO (Fellow of the American Board of Natu-ropathic Oncology) is a global healthcare authority and best-selling author in integrative cancer care and research (DrNasha.com). Con-sulting with physicians around the world, she has educated hundreds of professionals in the clinical use of mistletoe. She has created robust educational programs for both healthcare institutions and the public to incorporate well-vetted integrative therapies into cancer care to enhance outcomes. Dr. Winters is currently focused on opening a com-prehensive metabolic oncology hospital and research institute (Meta-bolic Terrain Institute of Health) in the U.S., which will provide the best that standard of care has to offer alongside the most advanced integrative therapies. This facility will be in a residential setting on a gorgeous campus, against a backdrop of regenerative farming, EMF mitigation, and wellness-oriented retreat space.

Adam Blanning, MD, practices anthroposophic family medicine at the Denver Center for Anthroposophic Therapies (DenverTherapies.com) in Denver, Colorado. He is president of the Anthroposophic Health Association (AHA), an umbrella organization for groups working to bring anthroposophic insights into the realms of medicine, nursing, naturopathy, body therapies, artistic therapies, movement therapies, and counseling. Dr. Blanning lectures and teaches nationally and internationally on topics related to holistic medicine and the dynamics of human development. He is the author of Understanding Deeper Developmental Needs: Holistic Approaches for Challenging Behaviors in Children (2017).

Marion Debus, MD, received her medical training at Ruhr-University Bochum (1989–1995). Her professional training in internal medicine includes her years at Klinik Öschelbronn Germany, Princess of Wales Hospital Bridgend GB, and Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe in Berlin, Germany. Between 2002 and 2005, Marion further specialized in hematology and oncology at Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus in Stuttgart. From 2005 to 2017, she was senior physician at the anthroposophic community hospital Havelhöhe Berlin with a large oncological outpatient clinic. She is currently Head of the Department of Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine at Klinik Arlesheim (Klinik-Arlesheim.ch) near Basel, Switzerland.

Paul Faust, ND, FABNO (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology) is the Founder and Naturopathic Medical Director of the Chesapeake Natural Health Center (ChesapeakeNaturalHealth.com), established in 2001. He became the first Naturopathic Doctor licensed by Maryland’s Board of Physicians in 2016 and has been retained by them as an Expert Witness for cases involving Naturopathic Medicine within the state. He also serves on the board of the Naturopathic Formulary Council. In 2020, he was selected to receive Maryland’s first Naturopathic Doctor of the Year Award. Previously he has served on the editorial review board for the Alternative Medicine Review, a leading publication for complementary and alternative medicine.