Viscum album Anhang 2

Viscum album Anhang 2

[WALA]

Pflanzen entwickeln sich in Polaritäten wie Licht und Dunkel, Leichte und Schwere, Bewegung und Ruhe. Der grüne, nach oben strebende Spross zeigt seine Beziehung zu Licht, Leichte und Bewegung. Die Wurzel dagegen wendet sich dem Dunklen, Schweren, der Ruhe zu. Der Mistel scheinen diese Polaritäten zu fehlen, da sie weder einen nach oben strebenden Sproß noch eine ins Erdreich wachsende Wurzel besitzt. Kugelig, in Blatt und Krone wenig differenziert, ständig grün und wenig verholzt, geradezu embryonal scheint ihr Wachstum gehemmt, in sich zu verharren. Vielleicht deshalb nannte Goethe die Mistel das Kind unter den Pflanzen. Doch auch die Mistel lebt in Polaritäten, die bei ihr im Innern wirken in Form ihrer Inhaltsstoffe Viscotoxin und Mistellektin:

Viscotoxine wirken schnell, lösen Zellmembranen auf, helfen der Mistel, sich auszudehnen, zu wachsen. Der aufstrebende Sprossbildungsprozess wird hier offenbar

Mistellektin wirkt langsam, dringt ins Innere des Zellstoffwechsels vor und hemmt diesen. Der Wurzelbildungssprozess, das Zur-Ruhe-Kommen zeigt sich hier.

Auch in den Pflanzenteilen spiegeln sich diese Polaritäten wider. Das lichte Viscotoxin ist vermehrt in Blatt und Stängel, das dunkle Mistellektin vermehrt in den Beeren zu finden, die sich nur im Winter ausbilden. Die Mistel wird für Präparate zur Krebstherapie deshalb zweimal im Jahr geerntet: einmal im Juni und einmal im Dezember. Die aus den beiden Mistelernten gewonnenen Säfte haben unterschiedliche Viscotoxin- und Mistellektinanteile und werden unterschiedlich weiterverarbeitet, wobei jeweils die gegenteilige Polarität verstärkt wird: Der Wintersaft wird aus dem Zentrum in die Leichte geschleudert, den Sommersaft lässt man tropfenweise in die Schwere, in das Zentrum des Wintersaftwirbels fallen. Beide Säfte gemischt ergeben ein Arzneimittel, das dem Patienten hilft, innere Ungleichgewichte wieder zu ordnen und so wieder eine Kraft aus der eigenen Mitte heraus zu gewinnen.

[Madaus]

Lektinol

Ein Nachfolgepräparate von Plenosol N, das als homöopathischer Mistelextrakt bei Gelenkbeschwerden eingesetzt wird.

Für die Herstellung werden überwiegend im Januar geerntete Pappelmisteln verwendet (dann sind die Mistelbüschel nicht von Laub verdeckt und können gut geerntet werden). Aus Blättern und jungen Stengeln wird ein wässriger Auszug gewonnen. Um im daraus produzierten Arzneimittel einen stets gleichbleibenden Gehalt an Lektinen zu gewährleisten, werden verschiedene Auszüge miteinander vermischt, bis die erwünschte Konzentration dieses Inhaltsstoffs erreicht ist. Auf diese Weise sind alle Lektinol-Ampullen auf 15 Nanogramm “aktives Mistellektin” normiert, bestimmt als Mistellektin I. Da das Präparat aber ein Gesamtextrakt aus der Mistelpflanze ist, sind auch weiterhin noch andere Inhaltsstoffe enthalten. Es handelt sich nicht um ein Präparat, das ausschließlich Mistellektiin I enthält.

Ein derart auf Mistellektin I normiertes Präparat ist nicht wirksamer als ein nicht normiertes. Ob es zur Behandlung im Einzelfall sinnvoll scheint, einen stets gleichbleibenden Gehalt an Mistellektin gewährleisten zu können, hängt von der individuellen Situation ab. Bei bestimmten Krebsarten kann es ratsam sein, Präparate mit einem besonders hohen Lektingehalt zu geben, oder es ist sinnvoll, dass das Präparat wenig Mistellektin I, dafür viel Mistellektin III enthält (zum Beispiel bei Hautkrebs).

Da die eiweißhaltigen Mistellektine in wässriger Lösung normalerweise nicht lange haltbar sind, wird der Mistelextrakt mit speziellen Zusatzstoffen versehen, die die Mischung stabilisieren. Auch sind dem Präparat weitere Hilfsstoffe zugesetzt, mit denen die Lektine besser in Lösung gehalten werden, weil sie leicht am Glas der Ampulle bzw. im Spritzkanal der Kanüle hängenbleiben (bei den anthroposophischen Präparaten ist das unnötig, weil sich die Inhaltsstoffe im Gesamtextrakt gegenseitig stabilisieren).

Lektinol gibt es nur in einer Wirkstärke. Die Dosis richtet sich nach dem Körpergewicht. Zu Beginn werden die Lösungen aus der Ampulle mit physiologischer Kochsalzlösung verdünnt, um die Verträglichkeit zu testen. Anschließend wird die Konzentration nach und nach gesteigert, bis der Ampulleninhalt unverdünnt gespritzt werden kann, ohne dass an der Einstichstelle eine übermäßige Rötung (größer als drei bis vier Zentimeter) auftritt. Fällt die Reaktion stärker aus, sollte die Ampullenlösung noch weiter verdünnt werden oder der Arzt ein anderes Mistelpräparat verordnen.

Lektinol wird in aller Regel in gleichbleibender Dosierung zweimal wöchentlich unter die Haut gespritzt. Es ist lediglich darauf zu achten, dass eine möglicherweise auftretende Rötung an der Einstichstelle nicht mehr als drei bis vier Zentimeter im Durchmesser misst. Bleibt diese Reaktion aus, wird das von vielen Ärzten als Zeichen einer besonders guten Verträglichkeit betrachtet. Allerdings ist die Hautrötung ja gerade ein Hinweis darauf, dass der Organismus – und speziell das Immunsystem – reagiert. Geschieht dies nicht, müsste die Dosis eigentlich immer weiter gesteigert werden, bis die Rötung auftritt.

Da Lektinol relativ gering dosiert sind, können dafür dann unvertretbar große Flüssigkeitsmengen nötig sein – wodurch sich die Einsatzmöglichkeiten dieses Präparats selbst begrenzet. Es erlaubt nur eine vergleichsweise geringe Flexibilität bei der Anpassung an die individuellen Gegebenheiten. Es ist zwar leicht, die Dosis durch Verdünnen mit Kochsalzlösung zu verringern, eine Steigerung jedoch ist so gut wie ausgeschlossen: Mehr als 1 Milliliter Flüssigkeit lässt sich kaum gut unter die Haut spritzen, ohne dass große, teilweise schmerzhafte Knubbel entstehen, die nur sehr langsam abgebaut werden.

[J.H. Clarke]

Viscum album. Mistletoe. *N. O. Loranthaceae. Tincture of ripe berries. Tincture of bruised leaves. Tincture of whole plant.

Aura epileptica. Chorea. Deafness. Dysphagia. Endometritis. Epilepsy. Labour, slow. Levitation. Lumbago. Menorrhagia. Metrorrhagia. Orchitis. Otalgia. Otorrhoea. Ovaritis. Retained placenta. Sciatica. Spleen pain in. Struma. Throat, sore. Whooping-cough.

In a pamphlet on *”Viscum Album” Dr. George Black, of Torquay, has put together most of the facts relating to this plant, including four new provings, by himself and three female provers. The symptoms of these provings I have marked in the Schema (B) Dr. Black, 43, from 3x and, O (1B) Miss F., 20, from 2x and O, (B2) Mrs. X., 37 from 3, (B3) Miss S., 27, from 3x, 2x, 1X, and O. Proell made a proving of the tincture, and developed symptoms resembling epileptic aura and petit mal, which had the additional epileptic feature of recurrence they recurred frequently for two years. Belcher gave to a girl, 17, suffering from chorea, 5-drop doses of a tincture of leaves and berries. On the second day he was called to see her, and found her suffering as if under the influence of an opiate. Two women took *Visc. to procure abortion. Every muscle save those of the eyes became paralysed, as did also the intestinal tract. They could not swallow, and died of starvation in consequence, the bowels being obstinately constipated. The muscles of speech were also paralysed. A boy, 14, ate some berries, soon after began to feel giddy, and then became insensible. He was found with suffused countenance, lips livid, conjunctiva injected, pupils slightly dilated and fixed, pulse slow and full, bounding, breathing slow, stertorous. On pricking the soles the feet were quickly drawn up. Cold affusions roused him, when he began to talk incoherently, had spectral illusions, and was inclined to be violent. Laville (*Epilepsy and Mania in Men and the Lower Animals) isolated (1) *Viscine, a soft substance, yellowish blue, of poisonous odour and bitter taste, (2) *Visco-resin, a bluish resin, pitchy, saccharine, odour at first agreeable, then fetid. *Viscine is most abundant in the mistletoe of the apple-tree, *Visco-resin in that of the oak and acacia, which last excites the sexual appetite. The mistletoe of the hawthorn possesses, like all the rest, but in a higher degree, the contractile properties of

*Secale on the uterus in uterine inertia. That of the oak has a remarkable anti epileptic power on horses. A breeder had a very fine stock which became epileptic at four or five years old. He cured them with a tincture of the fresh leaves bruised in a mortar. According to Laville, all mistletoes are useful in epilepsy and rabies (Ozanam’s account of Laville’s work, *B. J. H., xxv.). Black also quotes from *B. J. H., xxii. 637, William Huber’s experience with *Visc. a.: (1) Case of retained placenta with constitutional symptoms after miscarriage at sixth month. Expulsion rapidly effected by *Visc. a. 3. (2) Man, 22, robust, fair, took a chill from travelling in ice-cold wind. Got a drawing-tearing pain in left lower jaw, lasting some hours, succeeded by loud buzzing, and stopped-up feeling, ending in complete deafness of that ear. *Visc. 3 cured. (4) Metrorrhagia following suppression from working in water. (5) Sciatica left side. *Visc. 3 cured. Rheumatism from wading ill-shod through great tracts of snow. *Visc. 3 cured. (7) Hydrothorax (right) from chill, with shooting in spleen. *Visc. 4 and 3 cured. John Wilde (*M. H. R., xii. 144) made a tincture of the bruised leaves, and gave 5-drop doses to a boy, 14, who had chorea affecting face and limbs. There was improvement in two days, and in a few weeks a complete cure. A boy, nine, strumous, with tendency to skin disease, was affected with chorea after a fright. He was completely changed in expression, speech quite inarticulate, look idiotic. The movements continued at night, and the boy was worn out for want of sleep. *Visc., O 1 to 2- drop doses, did no good. The dose was then increased to 15 drops. Improvement set in at once, and a perfect cure was effected, the doses being diminished after a time because soreness of the tongue and redness of the conjunctiva were set up. Black removed with *Visc. 3 the following: (1) Lumbago, from chill, tearing pain, wants something to press against it. (2) Lumbago, right, extending to right buttock, worse by slightest movement. (3) Pain in sacral region, unable to turn either side, worse slightest movement, “pain of a terrible clutching nature, as if her vitals were affected.” [Cooper has given great relief with *Visc. in “old spinal irritation pains.” He names also “spinal symptoms due to uterine causes” as indicating it.] (4) Rheumatism, “the weight of my body on the joint causes it to be very sore,” excessive perspiration. (5) Sciatica associated with otorrhoea. Burning pain from center of left buttock to inner ankle, heel as if red-hot coal applied, leg feels heavy as lead. In addition a number of cases of catarrhal deafness with noises in the ears were cured or greatly improved. ***C. M. Boger (*Med. Couns., xvi. 266) relates this case: Persistent vertigo after epileptic seizures, lasting a month at a time. *Visc. cm cured. Huber (*H. R., ii. 74) used the 3x and 6x. He considered it applicable to all kinds of rheumatism, acute and chronic, especially when characterized by *tearing pains, in cases occurring in winter, the result of exposure to sharp winds, and in cases of rheumatic deafness. The symptoms are worse By movement, by slightest movement. The lumbago cured in one case was better by pressure.

*Antidoted by: Camph., Chin.

*Follows well: Acon. (rheuma).

*DD.: Epilepsy: Bell. Stram. Plb-met.;

Effects of working in water: Calc.; Chill, fright: Acon.;

Uterine action; Sec.: Rheuma: Acon. Bry. Puls. Rhod. Rhus-t. Spig.

Causes: Chill, Wetting. Fright. Suppression of menses.

SYMPTOMS.

Mind: Incoherent talk and spectral illusions, inclined to be violent.- Insensibility.- Stupor, succeeded by almost entire insensibility, lying motionless, with her eyes

closed, as if in a sound sleep, but easily roused by a loud noise, and then would answer any question, but when she relapsed into her former condition there was

a slight disposition to stertorous breathing (2^nd day).- Feels as if going to do something dreadful while the tremblings are on (B1).- Keeps a wake at night thinking

the most horrible things imaginable (B1).- If awake seemed to be dreaming, if asleep she was dreaming (B3).- Felt in bad temper when pain in chest was on (B3).-

Great depression (B).

Head: Giddiness.- Intense throbbing headache (B1).- Sharp pain in head and face, leaving them sore (B1).- Numb feeling in head (B).- Tightening sensation of the brain once or twice (B).- Sharp shooting in left occipital bone (B).- Twinges of pain in left supraorbital region and right thigh (B).

Eyes: Conjunctiva injected.- Pupil slightly dilated and fixed.- Pupils contracted, and at first insensible to light (2^nd day).- Spectral illusions.- Eyes sleepy, difficult to open, lids heavy (B3).- Neuralgic pain lower part right orbit (B).

Ears: (Deafness in left ear.)- Hearing in left ear impaired, sounds muffled (B).- Dullness of hearing, left ear, sharp twinges of pain in right ear, later in left (B).-

Sound as of wind in trees (B).- Singing in right ear, crackling in left (B).

Nose: Dryness back of nose, ext. larynx (B).

Face: Countenance suffused.- Lips livid.- Face flushed (after palpitation, B1) Face hot and flushed (B).

Mouth: Teeth have bled (B1).- Teeth chattered.- Mouth suddenly fills with saliva (B).- Unpleasant taste on waking, tongue coated to tip with ochre-yellow fur (B).- Tongue sore.- Felt starving at supper-time (1B).- Appetite ravenous (B1).

Stomach: Squeamish before breakfast and dinner (1B).

Abdomen: Whole alimentary canal paralysed.- When out at times feels as if some one were dragging her down from the waist and directly after as if upper part of body floating in air (B1).- Hot feeling and constant ache in left groin, followed by sick feeling and shivering (B3).- Aching in hypogastrium as if menses coming on (B3).- Sharp twinges of pain about right Poupart’s ligament, inner aspect, shooting along spermatic cord (B).

Stool & Anus: Bowels obstinately constipated.- Copious action of bowels and very offensive (cadaverous) flatus (B).- Stinging, stitching pains left side of rectum near anus, on lying down soon after midnight, coming and going (B).- Constipated stool following itching of anus (after leaving off *Visc-a.-B.).- Acute aching left side of anus for hours, < evening (B).

Urinary Organs: Frequent urination, urine pale, increased in quantity (B1).- Urine milky-white after standing (B3).- Urine turbid after standing, pink deposit (B).

Male Sexual Organs: Erotic dreams and seminal emissions (B).- Sharp twinges of pain along right cord to testicle, which was drawn up close to inguinal ring.- During coitus rather severe palpitation of the heart (B).- Pain in right testicle (B).

Female Sexual Organs: Sharp pains in ovarian region coming and going for two weeks, worse morning in bed (B1).- Shooting pains in left ovarian region, and on movement lumbar pain and stiffness (B2).- Shooting pains in left ovarian region, worse lying on left side, with dead ache after (B3).- Felt faint, and actually fainted before menses (B3).- (Numerous cases of retained placenta.)- Metrorrhagia, partly bright, partly clotted and dark, with dull headache, stitches in temples, numbness of extremities, blue rings round eyes, sunken eyes.- It causes uterine contractions and stops haemorrhages. (Chronic (granular) endometritis characterized by enlargement, either subinvolution, alveolar hyperplasia or hypertrophy.).

Respiratory Organs: Spasm of glottis, came with dry sensation in throat, followed by efforts to swallow, then a sort of complete block, causing efforts to swallow and eyes to fill with tears (B).- Breathing slow and stertorous.- Slight disposition to stertorous breathing (2^nd day).- (A case of whooping-cough was cured in two days.).

Chest: Pain across sternal region, below breasts, coming and going worse by deep breath or lying on left side (B3).- Stitching pain at upper part of left breast (B3).- Stabs under left false ribs and constriction upper part of left lung,- < taking deep breath.- Stitch in chest below l. breast, again above right knee (B).- Creepy, chilly feeling left side of lower outer chest (B).

Heart: Just when going off to sleep heart gave two severe thumps, then want off beating at a great rate (B1).- Heart gave a throb and then a pause (B).- Palpitation during coitus (B).- Pulse small, quick, and very irregular. Pulse slow, full, and bounding.

Neck and Back: Sudden, momentary pain right side of neck, two inches above clavicle (B).- Pain in left side of neck on turning head to left (B).- Aching between shoulders (B1).- Aching and burning in sacral region (B1).- Lumbar pain and stiffness < movement (B).- Creepy shivering lumbar region (B).

Limbs: Twitching in hands and legs like chorea (B3).

Severe pain in right shoulder-joint while sitting thinking, 21 h., < raising arm.- Felt in dorsum of left hand as if a large spider were crawling over it, soon afterwards felt same sensation in dorsum of the right hand (Proell, after 40 drops).

(Several cases of sciatica.) In same winter suddenly felt in right foot a violent aching pain from within outwards, that compelled him to take off his boot, as it felt too *tight, this sensation went off in an hour (Proell).- Sharp pain in right buttock (B).- Unable to sleep till 4 a.m. for pain in right leg, in popliteal space and edge of tibia, as during catamenia, better moving leg about (B3).- Burning in center of calf, changing position of limb better but does not remove the pain (B3).- Aching at upper and outer aspect of both calves, must keep moving them (B3).- Sharp shoot center right thigh at back (B).- Sharp twinge of pain in left tibia (B). Sharp twinge of pain in ball of left great toe (B).- Stitch above r. knee (B).- Sudden twinges of pain in lower r. thigh and left supraorbital region (B).

Generalities: About 10 h., when he was going to see a patient, he felt very queer, as if he must fall down, he felt a glow that rose up from the feet to the head, and it seemed to him as if he were on fire, at same time his face became very pale, this kind of aura epileptica recurred three times during the winter (Proell, after 40 drops).- Every muscle of body, except those of eyes, were paralysed, could not speak or swallow, and both died about eighth or ninth day, literally starved.- Frequent recurrence of the symptoms during two years.- (Chorea from fright.)- Trembling in limbs, teeth chattered, got generally shaky (B1).- Unable to keep any part of body quiet at night, jerking first in one part then in another (B1).- Jerking and twitching of muscles (B2). Fearfully tired as after hard work, evenings (B3).- Shooting pain in various parts of body (B).- Tremor through body as if all muscles in fibrillary contraction (B).

Skin: Warm and moist.- Skin felt dry and burning (B3).- Red spots on neck and chest (B3).- Left side of neck large papule or small blood-boil (B).

Sleep: Drowsiness (2^nd day).- Wakes thinking of horrible things, gets to sleep again soon by changing thoughts (B1).- Sleep dreamful, worrying dreams of affairs of day (B3).

Fever: Chilly even near a stove, cold, chilly feeling creeps over him frequently (B).- Skin warm and very moist (2^nd day). First cold and then hot feeling without being actually hot (B1).- On waking always very hot except on knees, legs, and feet, which are very cold.- Hot feeling at night during micturition (B).

[Dr. rer. nat. Frank Herfurth]

Der botanische Name der artenreichen Gattung ist Viscum (lat. für Leim oder Klebstoff). Von den Römern wurde aus den klebrigen Beeren ein Leim hergestellt, der für das Fangen von Vögeln verwendet wurde. Von diesem lateinischen Wort leitet sich auch der Begriff „Viskosität“ als ein Maß für die Zähflüssigkeit einer Flüssigkeit her. Er geht auf den klebrigen Schleim der Mistelbeeren (Mistelleim) zurück und bedeutet also wörtlich „Misteligkeit“ oder „Leimigkeit“.

Nach dem Vorkommen auf unterschiedlichen Wirtsbäumen werden innerhalb der Art Viscum album (Weißbeerige Mistel) mehrere Unterarten unterschieden:

Laubholz-Mistel - z.B. auf Pappeln, Weiden, Apfelbäumen, Weißdorn, Birken, Haseln, Robinien, Linden, Ahornbäumen, Hainbuche u.a. (nicht auf Rotbuche)

Tannen-Mistel - auf Weißtannen

Kiefern-Mistel - auf Kiefern, selten auf Fichten

Die Weißbeerige Mistel ist ein immergrüner Halbschmarotzer, der auf den Ästen von Laubbäumen sitzt und Wasser und darin gelöste Mineralsalze aus deren Holzteil entzieht. Im Laufe der Jahre wachsen Misteln häufig zu kugeligen Büscheln heran, die bis zu einem Meter Durchmesser erreichen können. An den Enden der gleichmäßig gabelig verzweigten Sprosse der Mistel sitzen die lederigen Blätter, die mehr- oder einjährig sein können. Die eingeschlechtlichen unscheinbaren Blüten sitzen in der Gabel zwischen den Zweigen. Die Früchte der Weißen Mistel sind weiße, ein- bis zweisamige runde Scheinbeeren. Je Samen bilden sich bis zu vier grüne Embryonen aus. Die Samen sind von einem zähen, schleimig klebrigen Fruchtfleisch umgeben, wodurch die Verbreitung der Mistel durch Vögel (Verdauungsverbreitung) ermöglicht wird. Die Blütezeit der Weißen Mistel ist von Juni bis September.

Sie ist ein Halbschmarotzer, der auf Bäumen wächst, wobei er bestimmte Arten bevorzugt.

Bäume, die von vielen Misteln bewachsen sind, leiden darunter und sterben schließlich ab. Aber die Misteln wachsen langsam und vereinzelte Misteln können einem großen Baum nicht viel anhaben.

Man findet sie weltweit in den tropischen, subtropischen und gemäßigten Zonen. Die Anzahl ihrer anerkannten Arten ist umstritten und schwankt je nach botanischer Familienabgrenzung zwischen 400 und 1400.

Achtung!

Die Mistel ist in Deutschland geschützt und darf nicht gesammelt werden!

In der modernen Pflanzenheilkunde wird sie gegen Bluthochdruck und Krebs eingesetzt. In der alternativen Medizin wird der Mistel eine antikanzerogene Wirkung nachgesagt, es gibt allerdings auch zahlreiche Studien, in denen dies nicht bestätigt werden konnte. In niedriger Konzentration injizierte Mistelzubereitungen (insbesondere die Lektine und Viscotoxine) zeigen immunstimulierende Effekte, bei höheren Konzentrationen überwiegen die zytotoxischen Antitumoraktivitäten. In einigen klinischen Studien konnte ein statistisch signifikanter Nutzen bei der Behandlung von malignen metastasierenden Tumoren gezeigt werden. Die blutdrucksenkenden Eigenschaften werden kontrovers diskutiert; die Beweise für den Nutzen einer oralen Misteltherapie sind nicht überzeugend.

Wissenschaftlich belegt ist die Anwendung bei degenerativ-entzündlichen Gelenkserkrankungen (durch Auslösung kutivisceraler Reflexe nach Setzen lokaler Entzündungen durch intrakutane Injektionen [Quaddelung]) und als Palliativtherapie im Sinne einer unspezifischen Reiztherapie bei malignen (bösartigen) Tumoren. In der Regel gilt dabei, dass niedrige Konzentrationen per Injektion verabreichter Mistelzubereitungen eher unspezifisch immunstimulierend wirken und bei höheren Konzentrationen eine Antitumoraktivität überwiegt.

Anwendungsgebiete

zur Langzeitbehandlung von Hypertonie

Prophylaxe der Arteriosklerose

in der Volksheilkunde auch bei Epilepsie, Keuchhusten, Asthma, Schwindelanfällen, Amenorrhö, Durchfällen, Chorea, Hysterie und Nervosität

zur Segmenttherapie bei degenerativ entzündlichen Gelenkerkrankungen

zur Palliativtherapie bei malignen Tumoren

in der anthroposophisch orientierten Medizin werden Mistelpräparate bei gut- und bösartigen Geschwulsterkrankungen, bei gut- und bösartigen Erkrankungen und begleitenden Störungen der blutbildenden Organe, zur Anregung der Knochenmarksfunktion, zur Vorbeugung gegen Tumorrezidive, bei definierten Präcancerosen sowie chronischen Erkrankungen wie Morbus Crohn und chronischen Gelenkentzündungen verwendet

Vorsicht!

Vor allem die Beeren der Mistel sind leicht giftig. Kinder sollten vor deren Verzehr gewarnt werden.

Unerwünschte Wirkungen bei der Anwendung der Mistel können sein:

Schüttelfrost, hohes Fieber, Kopfschmerzen, pektanginöse Beschwerden, orthostatische Kreislaufstörungen, allergische Reaktionen

Zu den wichtigsten wirksamkeitsbestimmenden Inhaltsstoffen in Mistelkraut zählen die sogenannten Lektine, genauer gesagt die Mistellektine I-III. Es handelt sich dabei um Glykoproteine, die spezifisch an Zucker und verschiedene Zelloberflächen binden können. Daneben kommen stark basische Viscotoxine in sechs Isoformen vor sowie Flavonoide, Lignane, biogene Amine (Tyramin), Polysaccharide und kleine Mengen an Triterpenen wie Amyrin, Betulinsäure, Oleanolsäure und Ursolsäure. Weitere Inhaltsstoffe sind Bitterstoffe, Harz, Histamin, Inosit, Pyridin, Saponine, Schleimstoffe, Viscalbin, Viscin, Xanthophyll und Zink.

Misteltee zur innerlichen Anwendung wird immer als Kaltauszug angesetzt. Dabei werden 2 Esslöffel getrocknetes Mistelkraut in einem Liter kaltem Wasser angesetzt. Im kalten Wasser lösen sich die schwach giftigen Stoffe (z.B. die Glykoside Viscalbin und Viscotoxin) nicht auf und daher ist der Kaltauszug der Mistel ungiftig. Auch kann man davon ausgehen, dass die Heilwirkung der Mistel durch Erwärmen gemindert wird.

Derselbe Tee kann auch zur äußerlichen Anwendung benutzt werden für Umschläge bei Krampfadern und Geschwüren der Beine.

[Eric Lindblad]

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Periodical for Current Medicine

Official Publication of the Central Organization of Natural-cure Procedures Doctors

[R. Voll]

The subcutaneous use of the various viscum preparations with tested accompanying therapy of quinones and anti-degenerative working homeopathic medications.

Summary

The Viscum-preparations of the same potency have different effects. Therefore they are not suitable to every organ. By thousands of measurements of my colleagues

and myself indications could be established for the treatment of certain organ systems (stomach, intestine, rectum, urogenital organs, respiratory tract, bile ducts and pancreas).

Mistletoe is an old folk remedy against cancer. Its use was systematically introduced to cancer therapy by R.S. and the medical scientist Kaelin. In incidents of cancer the action of the medicine is only achieved via injection, when mistletoe is administered orally it has the effect rather of reducing the blood pressure.

Mistletoe preparations therefore play an important role administered orally in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and hypertonia.

In the following will be presented the 12 different mistletoe preparations and their accompanying therapy of quinones, together with anti-degenerative working homeopathic medications. This therapy was developed from over 20 years of experience by myself and my colleagues from a working group for early cancer diagnosis and early cancer therapy. The group of electro-acupuncture doctors has shown the effectiveness of this combination therapy especially in the treatment of the pre-cancerous stages and also of micro-carcinoma.

In cases of clinically diagnosed cancer then surgery is required, and the following can be established as a post-operative therapy.

Mistletoe from deciduous and conifers

In the homeopathic drug catalogues it is written about the genus Viscum album, among other information, that the plant grows on leaf (deciduous) trees as the sub-species viscum album, on fir [abies] as the sub-species Viscum abieticum, and on pine [pinus] as Viscum austriacum. The oak mistletoe* is not used for the preparation of the homeopathic remedy Viscum album.

* [„oak mistletoel“ refers to Loranthus europaeus, not Viscum [album] quercus below mentioned - Editor]

In my practice I use the following potentised mistletoe preparations as subcutaneous injections, from the 12 mentioned trees:

Abies alba - silver fir

Acer campestre - common (small leafed) maple

Acer pseudoplantinus - false plane tree (an Eurasian maple)

Betula alba - birch

Fraxinus excelsior - ash

Malus communis - apple tree

Phytolacca decandra - red ink plant

Pinus silvestris - scotch pine

Populus nigra - black poplar

Populus tremuloides - aspen

Quercus robur - oak

Tilia grandiflora – lime

Viscum fraxini

The company Staufen Pharma in Göppingen has produced these preparations for me, with the exception of viscum pinus. This latter remedy comes from the company Wala in Eckwälden.

Over the course of 20 years I have experienced via the EAV - medicine test that the various viscum preparations of the same potency have different effects. The reason behind this might be that through the interaction of the mistletoe and the tree, that the mistletoe takes on some of the health giving attributes of the host tree.

The leaves, buds, flowers and fruit, in part also the needles, roots, and bark of the listed trees are all used in herbal medicine. As an infusion in a partial bath, or an invigorating full bath, in alcoholic extraction as in a liniment, the leaves, mostly used as teas, crushed root bark as enemas and rectal injections, but also as a powder

for oral use; the bark is also often used as an ingredient in teas. The pulverised charcoal of the mistletoe itself is furthermore used internally. These plant parts in the mentioned trees are used as a diaphoretic, as a counter-irritant for the skin, as an astringent both externally and internally, as diuretic, expectorant, anti-rheumatic and anti-arthritic remedies, and as antiseptic working medications.

In the following section will be described the mentioned trees, from which are produced the respective remedies.

Abies alba - silver fir, also known as pinus picea: concentrates of the buds or needles are used for a partial bath or in a stronger full bath. Internally for excessive mucous in the lungs, skin rashes, and rheumatism. From the resin of the bark is made oil of turpentine. Fir needle baths are among other purposes also strengthening to the nerves. A distillate made from the cones is used

as a liniment for gout and rheuma.

Viscum abies alba is used for all pre-cancerous stages of the respiratory pathways.

Acer campestre - also known as common or small leafed maple: a medicinal use of parts of this tree is unknown.

Of all the viscum preparations I now know that the common maple mistletoe is the strongest acting among the mistletoe preparations.

Acer pseudoplantinus - false plane tree: a medicinal use is not known. The leaf is given to sheep, the wood is used technically by wagon makers, carpenters, and in cabinet making. Furthermore the wood is one of the finest for heating.

Viscum acer pseudoplantinus is use for all pre-cancerous stages of the stomach.

Betula alba. The leaves as tea are a good diuretic, also used against gout, arthritis urica, rheuma, kidney gravel and stones.

Viscum betula alba is tested for all pre-cancerous stages of the kidney, if patients at the same time exhibit pain in the joints.

Fraxinus excelsior - ash: the leaves are used as a tea for joints, gall bladder, liver, and kidney sufferings.

Viscum fraxinus has been proven for all pre-cancerous conditions accompanying joint sufferings.

Malus communis - apple tree: the root bark contains the glycocide phlorizin, the same which is involved in renal phlorizin diabetes, which means a glycosurea in nearly the lowest possible quantity. Pectin in the bark and fruits acts as a tannic (type) substance, for example to use a shredded raw apple diet for suffering of diarrhoea, according to Heisler.

Viscum malus is used, and repeatedly tested for all pre-cancerous stages of the stomach and intestinal canal, except the rectum and anal canal.

Phytolacca decandra. The leaves are used and given crushed as a poultice, “a trusted force against cancer”, according to the old writings. The fruits serve as a vermifuge, especially in taenia. Fresh roots are used in a mother tincture, it is given also potentised for focal infections, infectious arthritis, glandular illness, and for lumps in the breast.

Viscum phytolacca is tested for all pre-leukemic conditions, and pre-stages if tumours of the nasal pathways.

Pinus silvestris. The fresh sprouts are used to make a concentrate. As a decoction are the young pine sprouts used for chronic bronchitis, gout, and rheumatism, furthermore for inflammatory illnesses of the urinary pathways due to their antiseptic action. Externally as a dressing or bath for various skin diseases.

Viscum pinea, planta tota from the company Wala, used for all pre-cancerous stages of the lower respiratory pathways and lungs.

Populus nigra - black poplar: black poplar buds for internal usage. The glycoside-complex of the black poplar has the effect of lowering the uric acid level in the blood, through an improved uric acid excretion. Used as a diuretic and expectorant, and for illnesses of the urinary pathways.

Viscum populus nigra is proven for all pre-cancerous stages of the urological and urogenital organs, and furthermore also for pre-cancerous stages of the pancreas.

Populus tremuloides - aspen: the bark and leaves are used for bladder sufferings, enuresis of the elderly; prostate hypertrophy with mild cystitis and irritation of the neck of the bladder.

Viscum populus tremuloides has the same indications as those for viscum populus nigra.

Quercus robur - oak: the parts used are the bark, and the fruit with the shell. Oak bark pulverised as an astringent, internally and externally, for tissue weakness in different branches of medicine, for example as rectal injections for rectal prolapse, anal fistulae and haemorrhoids, vaginal douches prescribed for fluor albus, and oak bark baths for gout.

Enemas furthermore for intestinal bleeding and diarrhoea.

Viscum quercus for all pre-cancerous stages of the rectum and anal canal.

Tilia europaea - linden: the flowers are used for tea. This tea acts as a diaphoretic and antispasmodic, is a counter-irritant to the skin for people with excess perspiration, and is used for all types of colds. Further action as a diuretic. The linden charcoal, carbo tilia: is used against lung-Tb, haemoptysis, gall bladder and liver illnesses and carcinoma.

Viscum tilia finds use for all pre-leukemic and pre-cancerous stages, where there is a tendency for the body to perspire, but also for a partial sweating of the neck.

Quinones as complementary therapy for the various mistletoe preparations

A special quality of the quinone is its ability to absorb up to 4x more oxygen than other substances. It is by this a strong potential oxidation substance, and necessary for freeing up tissues from toxins retained in the cells of the mesenchyme. The quinones release such toxins through oxidation which are then transported out via the lymph system. Through poor utilisation of oxygen of partially or totally blocked mesenchyme(s), comes to our patients a partial oxygen deficiency to the tissues.

Through the administration of the quinones in various contexts, it is possible to increase the oxygen utilisation in the cells. According to prof. Domagk, quinone therapy has a very good influence against the mutation of cells. What occurs is an improved cellular respiration, and a breaking up of mutagenic alterations within the cells.

Through the action of the quinone almost all excretion mechanisms are used with increased quantity of urea, by increased specific gravity of the urine, which means making the urine colour more golden-yellow, by more faeces, and also more perspiration. Therefore when you use a quinone cure you are assisting the function of the elimination organs. The quinones further are respiratory catalysers.

Ubiquinone

The strongest acting quinone is ubiquinone in potentised form. It exerts a powerful regeneration effect on blocked cellular respiration. Ubiquinone is used to treat hyperlipemia and for people who are overweight. It is very useful for these people to combine the treatment with potentised intermediary preparations of the lipid metabolism, cholesterin, acetone, diacetic ethylester, glycerin, cystine and cysteine, used for cholecystectomy patients or for patients with chronic cholangitis and cholangiolitis, for patients with xanthelasma or xantomas on the elbows, small finger joints, on the knee, heel and toe joints.

Naphthaquinone

Comes in green leaves and vegetables, in spinach, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, also in tomatoes. Naphthaquinone is used for neoplasm phases of the stomach and intestinal canal, but also for the sexual organs of women, and the prostate in men. In combination with quinhydrone and benzoquinone can highly toxic deposits be released and burned off. An important part of naphthoquinone is phylloquinone, which the anti-haemorrhagic vitamin K1 is representing, this is important in neoplasm phases with a tendency towards bleeding.

Naphthoquinone in potentised form is a powerful adjuvant for blocked respiratory enzymes.

Triquinoyl

Triquinoyl is furthermore a dehydrating substance, which means it acts as a detoxification substance, it is chemically an alpha-keto aldehyde, a carbonyl-binder.

Anthraquinone

The main action of anthraquinone is on the gastro-intestinal tract and rectum. From plant sources anthraquinone is found in aloe, common buckthorn bark (Rhamnus cathartica), in senna leaves, legumes, and in rhubarb, all of these substances stimulate the large intestine peristalsis. Potentised anthraquinone is used to normalise, including respectively re-establishing immune function(s), as according to Koch the blocked cellular respiration is improved; through the burning off of accumulated toxins a regeneration of the tissues is possible.

Viscum quercus and anthraquinone for the rectum and anus, viscum malus and anthraquinone for the intestinal canal.

Quinhydrone

is not a hydrogen acceptor, it is not used to dehydrate, but it serves as a carrying substance for carbonyl binding, among others aldehydes and ketones; both are in the CO-group, and can cause a series of reactions. With potentised quinhydrone you have the possibility, via the carbonyl, of a liberating oxidation, as a therapeutic action. Quinhydrone works as an intermediary catalyst, and is indicated in enzymatic disturbances or blocking of the cellular respiration, in neoplasm phases or in viral illnesses. Quinhydrone is also an activator for parts of the citric acid cycle. The citric acid cycle is a large pool for intermediary products, which are used for the building up of new cell materials or the breakdown thereof. So writes prof. Karlsson in his book ”Biochemie” (Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart).

In classical homeopathy for the release and following oxidation of toxins, mostly the metals are used, Argentum, Aurum, Mercurius, Ferrum, and Cuprum. The deep going action of these potentised metals is known. This is why I give along with quinhydrone, according to the test, one or two of the just named homeopathic remedies.

Benzoquinone

Benzoquinone is found in the red pigment of the mushroom amanita muscaria. From this mushroom also is made the homeopathic remedy Agaricus muscarius.

It is indicated for the treatment of disturbances of the cellular respiration in degeneration phases. And is necessary to use as an anti-spasmodic for the vascular system and biliary passages.

Together with Viscum abies for chronic inflammation of the respiratory organs, therefore it is used in the pre-cancerous stages of lung and respiratory passages. For easily disturbed patients with general nerve pain, in chronic spasmodic stomach illnesses, and especially for smokers, but also for inflammation of the kidneys, urinary passages, and bladder, including also polyp formation in the bladder with the below mentioned viscum preparation. Viscum-malus for the stomach, Viscum-populus tremuloides or populus nigra for the urinary organs, Viscum-fraxinus for the gall bladder and biliary pathways, always in combination with a quinone preparation.

Methylene blue

Methylene blue is an important hydrogen donor, and therefore causes oxygen release, e.g. “oxidation”. I use the potentised methylele blue for degenerative illnesses of the nerve system. I often give this together with the remedy Struthantus syringifolius, which comes from a parasite that grows on the coffee tree.

Methylene blue can however also be given for illnesses in the urogenital sector in combination with other quinones.

Mistletoe on Amyema cambagei = sheoak mistletoe (flowering plant, an epiphytic hemiparasitic plant Loranthaceae Australia on Casuarinaceae

Anti-degenerative working homeopathy as accompanying therapy to the mistletoe preparations and quinones

In general are the following 12 homeopathic remedies the ones most typically needed:

1. Acidum aceticum. In the homeopathic textbook of Mezger “Gesichtete homöopathische Arnzneimittellehre” (Haug Verlag), is this remedy among others used for cachexia and the final stages of Tb. In the test it has been shown useful for all pre-cancerous stages of the stomach.

2. Argentum nitricum for stomach and uterus cancer. In tests as a mucous membrane remedy for the gastro-intestinal tract and bladder.

3. Asterias rubens - starfish, for illnesses of the mammary glands and female reproductive organs. Same experience with the test.

4. Causticum - Mezger lists the main action of this remedy on the locomotor system, the congestion of the respiratory pathways, the peristalsis, the female reproductive organs and in skin cancer. The testing of causticum has been proven by me in illnesses of the rectum and anal canal.

5. Cetraria islandica, Icelandic moss, as expectorant in chronic bronchial catarrh, and in tubercular conditions. In the test for pre-cancerous stages of the hypopharnyx and larynx.

6. Calamus aromaticus in weakness of the peristalsis, dyspepsia, in joint illnesses, and in illnesses of the skin, scrofulae.

7. Kreosotum in stomach, rectum, and uterus cancer. In the test for all pre-cancerous stages of the respiratory pathways.

8. Ornithogalum, Star of Bethlehem, for illness and cancer of the stomach and intestine, according to Mezger. In my tests for all pre-cancerous stages for the gall bladder and biliary pathways.

9. Stellaria media - chickweed, for lung catarrh, tuberculosis, vomiting of blood, and for haemorrhoids. In the test I have shown for all pre-cancerous stages of the uterus.

10. Silicea - Mezger reports the case of Stiegele, who healed intestinal cancer alone through the use of silicea. To reflect upon this, one may note that the pancreas organ is the richest in silicic acid, and therefore most reactive to a silicic acid deficiency.

11. Sedum acre - stonecrop. This remedy is used for painful haemorrhoids, anal fissure, and spasmodic pain in the rectum. The juice of this plant is given especially for skin cancer. In the test I have proven for all pre-cancerous stages of the intestinal canal.

12. Senecio vulgaris - English groundsel has in homeopathy the indications for amenorrhea and Dysmenorrhea during the EAV-test this preparation has been proven as a complementary remedy for all pre-cancerous stages of afflicted organs.

The use of degeneration nosodes in combination with mistletoe preparations, quinones and the anti-degenerative working homeopathic medications.

To pursue the goal directed pre-cancerous diagnostics and therapy of EAV, specific degeneration nosodes for the organs are tested and used in connection with a mistletoe preparation, a quinone, and anti-degenerative working homeopathic medications.

[Jane Tara Cicchetti]

Viscum Album Magical Plant of Complexity and Paradox Part I Mistletoe – Past, Present, and Future

Homeopath Jane Tara Cicchetti shares her research on Viscum Album -Mistletoe. The information is drawn from historical notes, provings, various healers etc.

Viscum album is not a newcomer to the homeopathic materia medica. It was proved around 1850 by an Austrian homeopath, Dr. William Huber. In 1899 George Black wrote a monograph on Viscum album and did his own proving. In the preface of this 79-page pamphlet, Black wrote:

“My object in publishing this treatise is to direct the attention of my colleagues to a medicine which I believe to be remedial in a degree beyond anything that its present use would suggest. That it has long been held in high esteem by individual members of the profession will, I think, be apparent from the evidence adduced in these pages, but it seems to me to merit more general recognition and a wider field of action than any it has had, at any rate, in our day.”

More than a century after Black wrote his pamphlet, Viscum album is still underutilized as a homeopathic remedy. It seems worthwhile to revisit this remedy given its wide use in anthroposophic medicine for the treatment of cancer, its history of treatment of epilepsy, sciatica, deafness, and heart disease by early homeopaths, as well as being held in high regard by ancient herbalists.

In my investigation of mistletoe, I have joined others in finding that it is a most complex plant with unusual properties as well as a profound healing substance.

The difficulty that occurs when attempting to understand mistletoe is the hidden nature of its essence. Viscum album is a remedy of complexity and paradox, not unlike the nest of intertwined stems that make up the globe of mistletoe suspended in the branches of a tree.

Historically, studies around the mistletoe, have led researchers on a lengthy path, requiring much more time and effort than was thought. It is as if the mistletoe has the ability to capture the imagination of the researcher and then lead him or her into a maze that appears to be unending. The energy of the mistletoe continually enfolds into itself, carefully guarding its secrets.

In 1907, botanist Karl von Tubeuf wrote what became an eight hundred-page monograph on mistletoe. His conclusion was that there was nothing normal about this plant. Nothing about the way that mistletoe grows or the way that it regenerates itself is normal in the world of plants. Rudolf Steiner, said something similar.

He wrote that the way in which mistletoe grows and it’s “contradictory nature” is what makes it an important medicine.

While the homeopathic provings and clinical experience of mistletoe reveal its usefulness in numerous pathologies, there is little specific indication. There are few modalities, strange, rare, or peculiar symptoms or sensations that indicate the individual’s response to the disease.

The rare mental symptoms that appear are mostly vague feelings; being ungrounded, floating in air, lightheaded, and dizzy. We see many examples of this ungrounded state in the provings. But this valuable and timely remedy continues to be under prescribed because it is difficult to understand. It seems nebulous. The symptoms don’t fit into a coherent pattern or theme. It shows no central core and does not easily reveal its themes. As we shall later see, this is an essential part of the remedy picture.

Part I of this article will reveal the portrait of this remedy through its natural history, presence in folklore, use in ancient herbalism as well as in anthroposophy, followed by the provings and clinical data available in our materia medica.

Part II will explore the remedy through the symbolic realm of mythology in an attempt to reveal its essence. After presenting what I hope is an understandable and useful picture of this remedy, I will conclude with some clinical information from my experience.

Natural History

Mistletoe is a plant that is filled with paradox. While most plants grow from seeds that require darkness in order to germinate, the seed of the mistletoe requires light.

It lives not within the earth as do most plants, but in the bark of trees.

The seeds are dispersed by birds or by the wind, landing on the branches of trees and thriving only on the same tree as the original plant. Upon germination, a root-like structure, called a radicle, emerges from the germinated seed and grows along the surface of the branch.

When it encounters an irregularity in the bark, the radicle produces a cementing substance to hold it to the bark. A peg then forms that penetrates into the cortex of the host. It is through this peg that the mistletoe absorbs nutrients and water from the host tree.

After about a year, the mistletoe begins to produce foliage, growing larger and producing a branched, golden-colored woody stem and leathery leaves. It is a semi-parasite, as it produces its own chlorophyll in addition to living off of the water and nutrients of the host tree.

Eventually, it forms into a large globe, which can be easily seen in winter when the leaves fall off of the host tree. At that time, the mistletoe leaves turn yellow, and

it appears as the large golden globe that is the subject of ancient lore.

In mid-autumn small, pearl-like berries form, maturing in early winter. Some of the berries simply break off the plant and fall to lower branches creating new infections on the same tree. Others become food for birds. The berries contain viscin, a sticky substance that makes it difficult to swallow.

The bird wipes its beak on a branch and the seed or berry sticks to a new branch. The seeds can also move through the digestive system of the bird and are deposited through bird droppings on a tree. Thus, the derivation of the less than elegant name, dung stick from mistl meaning dung and tan referring to twig.

There are male and female mistletoe. Plants of both sexes are necessary for insect pollination. The male plants are slightly yellow, more pendulous, and do not have any berries. Female plants have tiny yellow flowers that bloom in late winter, followed by translucent white or yellowish berries. While large infestations of mistletoe can kill a tree it is also useful to its environment. A large number of animals depend upon it for food and the large globes serve as nesting sites for birds.

The plant is poisonous, containing the toxic lectin, viscumin, found only in mistletoe. It is a cytotoxic protein, but its biological activity is thought to depend upon the host tree and time of harvest. Common host trees for Viscum album in the UK are apple, poplar, lime, and hawthorne. While much ancient lore speaks of the mistletoe growing on oak, it is rarely found on that tree. Unfortunately, most of the provings in our materia medica do not indicate from which tree the mistletoe was taken.

Viscum album belongs to the order Santales and family Santalaceae. The family Santlaceae, or sandalwood family, consists of around 400 species of hemiparasitic plants. Two plants from this family in the homeopathic material medica are Oleum santale, sandalwood oil, and Okoubaka aubreville, a tropical rainforest tree growing

in West Africa.

Ancient Writings and Folklore

Mistletoe was known to the ancient Roman naturalist Pliny the elder (AD 23- AD 79). Pliny wrote in his Naturalis Historia of the ritual harvesting of mistletoe by the Druids, to whom the plant was sacred. The plant was harvested at the winter solstice with a golden sickle, the gold representing the sun and the sickle shape representing the crescent moon. The symbolism of the sun and the moon indicated the union of masculine and feminine and the mistletoe harvested in this way was thought to increase fertility.

While it was rare for mistletoe to grow on oaks, the Druids chose the oak mistletoe for their ceremonies as it was thought to contain mystical healing powers. The plant was cut from the tree and caught by a white cloth. It was not allowed to touch the ground for to do so would negate its special powers.

The 12th century Benedictine abbess and visionary, Hildegard of Bingen, recommended mistletoe from a pear tree in a formula with Asarum and nutmeg for internal ulcers and lung infections. For external application, she suggests pear mistletoe, combined with olive oil, deer tallow, and spikenard for anointing an area afflicted by gout. ibid.

In the 13^th century, Albertus Magnus wrote that mistletoe, when taken with = Lilium Martagon “openeth all locks.”

Nicholas Culpeper, the 17^th century English physician, astrologer and herbalist wrote “mistletoe is under the influence of the sun and when growing on oaks participates in the nature of Jupiter.” He recommends powders of mistletoe for epilepsy, palsy, and apoplexy as well as pleurisy.

He also suggests the sticky substance from the berries is useful for drawing out tumors and infected “hard knots.” Like many others, Culpeper was impressed with the fact that the plant has been held in high esteem by many. It has been named, he writes, lignum santae cruces, or wood of the holy cross.

Those who called it so may have meant to honor its healing ability but the name is actually a reference to quite a different story. The mistletoe, so the story goes, was once a tree that the cross on which Christ was crucified was made. In punishment for that, the mistletoe became a parasite, forced to live on other trees.

As for the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe, there are many suggestions as how it began. Some say it is related to the early Druid legends of the plant symbolizing fertility and the union of masculine and feminine. Others have written of an origin in Scandinavian myth where enemies meeting in a forest under the mistletoe, must lay down their weapons and remain in peace until the following day.

Mistletoe in Anthroposophic Medicine

Rudolf Steiner introduced mistletoe therapy into Anthroposophy in 1920. Like many of his predecessors, Steiner was intrigued by the unusual qualities of the plant and felt that it was a clue to its medicinal value. The fact that mistletoe is a parasite growing above the earth and not in it, and that it blooms in the winter, rather than the summer, indicated to him that it was a plant that had “gone mad” and did everything at the wrong time. He also noted the method in which the plant was fertilized.

“The peculiar ‘madness’ of this plant is shown in its method of fertilization, which depends on transport by birds from one tree to another. The plant would become extinct were it not for this service of the birds. In a curious way, the fertilizing elements of the mistletoe choose the path through the birds, and are excreted on another tree trunk or branch, where they ‘take root’ anew. All these peculiarities illuminate the whole formative process of the mistletoe.”

Thus, he felt it was an important remedy for cancer, where the cells of the body have gone mad, overwhelming the life force of the individual. Today mistletoe therapy is one of the most widely studied alternative therapies for cancer.

In Europe, it is used, in addition to conventional cancer therapies, for six out of ten cancer patients. Clinical studies show it improves appetite, sleep, and increases resistance to infection. There are also reports of increased survival rates and/or improved quality of life.

Mistletoe preparations are manufactured under various names, Iscador being the original and most frequently prescribed. These extracts are made from the leaves, berries, and stems of the plant and are available in various homeopathic potencies as well as physical doses.

Physicians often prescribe it in physical doses, injecting it under the skin of the abdomen or directly into the tumor, while Steiner originally felt that it should be given in potency. He points out that the method of preparation is extremely important.

“The task is to blend the glutinous substance of the mistletoe in the right way with the triturating medium, and so increase gradually the potency of the viscum substance to a very high degree.”

One of the physicians currently using mistletoe therapy is anthroposophic doctor and homeopath, Johannes Wilkens. His practice at the Alexander Von Humboldt Clinic in Bad Steben, Germany, focuses on the treatment of cancer, neurological diseases and respiratory ailments using optimized mistletoe therapy.

His book, “Mistletoe Therapy for Cancer”, is an excellent overview on the subject and discusses how to optimize the treatment by differentiating the remedy needed according to the host tree and the related metal.

“Each mistletoe therapy is of course a very individual treatment. The substances used, the dose and timing of the medications given cannot be reduced to a uniform pattern, but change from one case to another. …………..However, according to Rudolf Steiner, in order to optimize the effectiveness of mistletoe treatments we must expand the method in two important aspects: before beginning therapy, a typological relationship between the host tree and the patient must be clarified, something to which up to now insufficient attention has been paid. Additionally, metal substances should be mixed with the mistletoe’s active ingredients that have been selected

for the treatment. According to Steiner, this combination can markedly increase the curative possibilities with cancer.”

According to Dr. Wilkens, mistletoe therapy is primarily through injection but you can also use the oral remedies. From his perspective, what is more important, is that it is prepared as a homeopathic dilution and optimized to fit the individual.

Ralph Twentyman, another homeopath trained in anthroposophic medicine, had much experience with mistletoe therapy, specifically Iscador. In “The Science and Art of Healing”, he writes about Steiner’s ideas on the development of cancer as it relates to the ongoing process of growth and development.

Steiner referred to this process as metamorphosis. According to Steiner, metamorphosis is an ongoing and necessary process within the organism. In childhood it is primarily about growth of the physical organism, but later in life, if the individual does not use these forces, they become greater than the actual need. The question is, what becomes of these forces? In the following paragraph, Twentyman relates the lack of continual metamorphosis during a lifetime to the development of cancer.

“The task of education into metamorphosis after the change of teeth, is to lead these forces from the sphere of organic life into the soul realm as thinking and imagination. This metamorphosis calls for methods more artistic than intellectual in style. Intellectual methods fail to lead over these forces and then some of them remain behind in the organic depths as islands of untransformed growth forces. If these forces are unable to find their way, through inadequate educational methods, into progressive upward metamorphosis then we can be sure they will not stay still but will regress, atavistically. In this way islands of regressed forces are formed in

the organism to become nuclei of potential tumor formation.”

After many years of experience with mistletoe extract, Twentyman states that he has seen a relationship between the healing that takes place after Iscador and the unearthing of these suppressed forces.

“As I have worked for many years with the anthroposophical mistletoe remedy, Iscador, in cancer, I must mention an aspect of its use in addition to its pharmacological cytotoxic and immune stimulating actions. It seems to open up and release the buried forces we have been discussing. It makes it easier for the patients to accept new impulses awakening in them, even if to their customary stereotyped viewpoints these are childish or bizarre.”

These findings on the use of Iscador are reminiscent of Albertus Magnus’ claim that “mistletoe opens all locks” and are, as we shall later see, very similar to the action

of the homeopathic remedy Viscum album.

Homeopathic Clinical Information and Provings of Viscum album

Early Provings

Dr. W. Huber did the first homeopathic proving of Viscum album around 1850 using mainly the 3^rd and 6^th decimal dilution. He consequently felt that it was an important remedy in neuralgias, deafness, and asthma associated with rheumatism, comparing it to Acon., Bry, Puls, Rhod., Rhus tox., and Spig. He also found it useful for uterine hemorrhage during the climacteric period and, in place of ergot, as an oxytocic for expulsion of the placenta.

Dr. George Black and several of his colleagues conducted a proving later in the 19^th century using the tincture and 3rd decimal potency.

Like Huber, Black found Viscum album to be useful as an oxytocic, for rheumatism, and impaired hearing, most likely utilizing the information from Huber.

Like the early herbalists, he used it for many types of convulsions and epileptic seizures and found it curative from many types of vertigo, especially rheumatic vertigo. His comments on the indications of mistletoe for St. Vitus Dance (Sydenham’s chorea) are of interest to the contemporary prescriber.

While this type of chorea is quite rare, the symptoms Black describes may be familiar to the homeopath treating children with ADHD. According to Black, there are grimaces, twitches (with no benefit from Hyoscyamus, Cuprum, or Ignatia.) He compares it also to Agaricus, Zinc and Bella with constant agitation, inability to sit still for even a few seconds, and a distressed and vacant expression on face. The patient can’t write clearly because of lack of control of muscles and there may be diplopia as in Stramonium.

Black also mentions provings done by Proll, who proved the tincture and “felt the sensation of a large spider crawling over his hand, a feeling as if he would fall,

and a glow rising up in him, as if he were on fire.”. In the same book, there are accounts of poisonings that resulted in opiate-like symptoms including giddiness, drowsiness and stupor.

Modern Provings

Stockebrand and K.A. Kass proved Viscum album in 1957 using low potencies up to the 30th decimal. The proving, which was originally in German, is included in James Stephenson’s Hahnemannian Provings. Information about this proving also appears in Psyche and Substance. Dr. Edward Whitmont recounts a case of a

four-year old boy with bronchial asthma. He then describes the symptoms of Viscum album from the Stockebrand and Kass proving.

“The Viscum patient is sad, tired, feels worn out, is apathetic but restless at the same time, oversensitive to noise, has an aversion to people, wants to be left alone, cannot react adequately to people. There is a tendency to go to extremes: over-stimulation, intense almost manic ability to react, as well as, more often, a depressive sensitivity.

Vertigo is a leading symptom. Along with the Magnesias, Mandragora, Phosphorus, and Conium maculatum, Viscum is one of the leading vertigo remedies. Its symptoms are worse at night. It has a distinctive organ affinity in neuro-vegetative disturbances particularly relating to the circulatory and respiratory systems. It should be thought of first in spastic cough with dyspnea and irritation, bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, coronary conditions, cardiac neurosis, cardiac disturbances of emotional origin such as paroxysmal tachycardia, and possibly any other functional or organic interference with cardiac innervation.”[12]

Meditation and Dream Provings

Madeline Evans published a meditative proving in 2000. Some of her insights are very similar to the previously mentioned findings by Twentyman in cures with Iscador, in that it helps the patient reclaim their suppressed inner life. She finds the remedy helpful for:

“People who are viewed by their parents as still being children. People who can’t break free from their parents. The potential held back by parental influence.

Too dependent, don’t stand up for themselves.”

“Those whose sensitivity has been damaged and awareness has been stultified.”

2012 Dream Proving

In April of 2012, Alize Timmerman and I conducted a short dream proving of Viscum album at the Hahnemann Institut. The dream proving showed many dreams of going very deep underground and into fantastic places. Dreamers felt that there was some important reason to take this underground journey, even though there was resistance to doing it. Several dreamers saw that in this underground place, there were children who were doing dangerous things.

One woman had a dream that there was a party taking place in a tree. There was a vulture sitting above the entrance to the party. This vulture was young and not intimidating. She associated it to her experience of witnessing a sky burial in Tibet. In many of the dreams, there was a feeling of great danger, and the possibility of death. The general themes of the dream proving include: journeying underground, death, and danger.

The symbolism in the last dream was unusual because there is a party taking place in a tree, and a sky burial. This dream shows the paradox of mistletoe, which grows on a tree, rather than in the earth. Parties are usually not held in trees. The sky burial is a ritual that exists in Tibet, while in most of the world, bodies are buried in the earth, not in the sky. And then, there was the vulture, which in many cultures symbolizes the great mother.

As we delve more deeply into the symbolic realm of mistletoe in Part II, we shall see that the symbolism within these dreams give us many clues to its essence.

About the author

Jane Tara Cicchetti has been a consultant and teacher of homeopathy for over 30 years. She is the author of Dreams, Symbols and Homeopathy, Archetypal Dimensions of Healing, an integration of Jungian psychology and homeopathy. As well as working in private practice, in the United States She has had a life-long interest in meditation and transpersonal psychology, and has studied Jungian psychology under the mentorship of several Zurich trained Jungian analysts. Jane currently practices

in Asheville, NC

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