Mistletoe

There are many profound and fascinating theories at the heart of anthroposophy. Anthroposophical medicine is a complex system - an art and a science of living and healing - that includes the integration of spiritual, emotional and physical components. It was founded by Rudolf Steiner (an Austrian Swiss physician, metaphysical pioneer and healer) in the early 20th century.
An anthroposophical physician diagnoses the patient with the awareness that what is accessible by the five senses is limited and does not fully describe the depths of the causes or nature of the disease of the patient, as this MUST include the spirit and psyche. A physical sign of disease is seen to be a manifestation of the disconnect between the body and the soul, a physical process or blockage, overcoming the domain in which the soul should be ruling. This anlysis is known as the doctrine of signatures - finding the gesture in nature that reflects a particular human condition.
One element of anthroposophical cancer treatment (and AIDS and inflammatorydisease) requires treatment of the body AND the soul (as it is an intrinsic component of the whole body). Alongside the various, specific plant remedies in anthroposophical healing are other therapies such as art, music and movement. 
In anthroposophical cancer treatment (as well as with sarcomas and sclerosis) the use of the mistletoe plant (Viscum album) is central. This is an ancient healing plant and attracted the attention of Rudolf Steiner back in the 1920's because of its unique life-cycle. It grows in a manner that is totally opposite to the natural rhythms in nature and is very independent. It lives in nature in a way that reflects cancer in human beings.
Mistletoe has no roots and grows on a host plant, mainly trees - oaks and other trees in Europe and Asia and as such is considered semi-parasitic. It does not grow in an upright manner but winds itself around its host and is very circular. It has a particularly slow growth cycle, producing only one pair of leaves per year. It flowers in February and begins to form berries in late summer which ripen in winter. It comes to full development in three years and three months.
The mistletoe extracts contain both the summer and winter juices and are combined for maximum effect, when the summer plant is at its height of vegetative growth and the winter plant has completed its life rhythm (at the time of the Winter Solstice). These two extracts contain different distributions of viscotoxins. These types of healing properties cannot be found in any other plant.

The plant gives us immune activating properties which target the cancer cells (and some research points to therapeutic properties for HIV patients as well). Research shows that with subcutaneous injection of mistletoe, there is an increase and migration of white blood cells that targets the area of the tumor within four to six hours. The actual chemical components of the mistletoe include viscumin, viscotoxin, polysaccharides and alkaloids.

There are few serious side effects. Local inflammation due to the immune response is expected and a positive sign. The treatments and maintenance programs are often used long term. There are many happy patients who owe their lives to Mistletoe, also called iscador. It is widely used throughout Europe where Rudolf Steiner’s work is known and accepted and is largely ignored in North America and forbidden by regular medicine (remember the outrage at Suzanne Somer’s therapy of CHOICE?) and not often understood by Naturopaths, either.

Extensive research has been ongoing in Europe for decades. The extracts are also manufactured in Europe and are marketed under several trade names, such as Iscador, Helixor, Eurixor, and Isorel. Weleda AG manufactures Iscador. Most doctors in the US do not use it. Though mistletoe is not commonly used in the United States, it is allowed for compassionate use. Physicians in the United States can order Iscador directly from Weleda AG through www.usa.weleda.com.

Some of the alternative physicians that use it include San Diego Clinic in California, Stella Maris in Mexico, Dr. Jesse Stoff in Arizona, Atkins Center in New York, The Lukas Clinic in Switzerland, Joseph Brenner, MD in israel, Klinik St George and Hufeland Clinic in Germany, and Humlegaarden in Denmark. If you are aware of any clinical trials using mistletoe or any other clinics using it, please email us. More at http://www.lukasklinik.ch/cms.asp?AE=2&IDN=161&Plugin=&H=%27262%27&T=0
The newest rules of the WHO and CODEX are infringing on the world of bio-dynamics and possibly also the growth of Mistletoe which is VERY UNFORTUNATE. Mistletoe homeopathics are quietly allowed in the United States as it is assumed that homeopathics are merely water and useless!.
In Europe, many people are followers of Rudolf Steiner's philosophies and lifestyles. In North America, in some of the larger cities, there are a few groups doing wonderful Rudolf Steiner work in health, education and philosophy.

Physicians that know this work in North America: http://www.paam.net/find-a-physician.html

testimonial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmrf8D60NOg&playnext=1&list=PL293C7DADA92DB00C

by Merrie Bakker, BSc, BArch,
Pacific Holistic, http://www.pacificholistic.com, 604-261-7742, info@pacificholistic.com
Live blood analysis, Ozone Therapy, Reiki, Dowsing and Reflexology Classes in Vancouver, BC Canada

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at http://www.pacificholistic.com and get the FREE 78 Foolproof Ways to Improve Your Health at http://www.pacificholistic.com as well.

More articles by this author at:

Oil Pulling - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/1473
Eating According to the Glycemic Index - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/1462
Oxygen and Ozone Therapies - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/101
Castor Oil Packs - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/95
Tinnitus - Ringing, Buzzing, Humming & Chirping - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/1263
Molybdenum and Manganese - Mining for Good Mental Health and Feeling Better - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/1070
Ug99 Spreads - Scientists Scurrying to Secure new Safe Strains - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/849
PainKillers - from subtle to strong - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/895
Get Your MEDICAL BIO-MARKERS - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/151
Herb Robert (geranium robertianum) - removing radiation - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/153
A Tribute to Dr. Virginia C. Livingston - http://www.thehealingjournal.com/node/96