"In this pioneering book, doctors and patients will discover the incredible power of mistletoe therapy and its foundational place within integrative cancer care. As this book demonstrates, plant-based supplements that stimulate the immune system's own power — such as mistletoe — are a welcome addition to current cancer treatments and may eventually become first-line treatments (with fewer side effects)."
— Kelly A. Turner, PhD, NY Times bestselling author of Radical Hope
“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.”
— Jeffrey A Jones, MD, FACS, FACPM, FAsMA
OCL Deputy Executive for Inpatient Services, Chief of Urology- OCL/MEDVAMC, Professor Baylor College of Medicine, Scott Dept of Urology/ Center for Space Medicine, Jamail-Abramson Chair in Urology Research, Captain, US Navy Reserves, Fleet Logistics Support Wing Surgeon, USNR Aerospace Medicine Specialty Leader
“I cannot imagine a better introduction to mistletoe than the current volume. It is fascinating, clearly organized, and well-written. It is 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 Anthroposophical 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.”
-Ralph W. Moss, PhD
“If you are a cancer patient, survivor or a medical practitioner who works with oncology patients, and are interested in learning more about mistletoe therapy, I highly recommend Mistletoe and the Emerging Future of Integrative Oncology. This book covers the history, science, clinical and preclinical data and walks you through the specifics of practical implementation of this natural therapy. If you are looking for the quintessential guide on mistletoe therapy in oncology, look no further, this is it. As an integrative oncologist, I have had many patients over the years who were prescribed, by other practitioners, mistletoe as part of their oncology care. While I understood the basic rationale for its use, until reading this very approachable book, I was unaware of the extent of personalization required for it to be safely and effectively implemented. I now have a much greater understanding of mistletoe therapy, and the importance of it being prescribed by knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who understand the proper selection of the mistletoe variety (or multiple varieties), dosing and titration, as well as lab test results, symptoms and examination findings to help guide the patient and practitioner. After reading this book, I am even more excited to collaborate with my naturopathic oncology colleagues on the implementation of mistletoe therapy in our mutual patients.”
—Brian D. Lawenda, M.D.
(Radiation and Integrative Oncologist, GenesisCare, Kennewick, WA)
“Although future cancer therapies may involve the cutting edge science such as gene therapy it may also be that ancient wisdom will be just as important. Mistletoe has been used in tradition healing therapies for centuries, if not thousands of years and may prove to be one of our greatest tools in the treatment of cancer.”
— Robb Wolf
New York Times/WSJ Best Selling author of The Paleo Solution and Wired To Eat and co host of The Healthy Rebellion Radio
“Mistletoe was a cornerstone of my integrative oncology practice for over 35 years. This exciting collaboration by leading integrative physicians is not only a comprehensive deep-dive into the science and practice of mistletoe therapies, it provides a context in holistic cancer care. Nutrition, spirituality, metabolic therapies, naturopathy, and other natural medicines are given voice as the new paradigm of integrative medicine.”
— Neil McKinney, ND
Author of Naturopathic Oncology: An Encyclopedic Guide for Patients and Physicians.
“What a treasure this book is – for patients and practitioners alike. It’s time to shed the war metaphor and acknowledge that comprehensive healing must incorporate spirit, soul, and body. These authors provide an expansive and inclusive view of how we can approach and accomplish healing the whole person. As more of us embrace and practice the approaches introduced in this book, we will truly have actual healthcare rather than disease management.”
— Jan Adrian, MSW
Founder and Director of Healing Journeys
“This new resource is an excellent and needed addition to the world of naturopathic and integrative oncology. Using Mistletoe as a therapy is something my colleagues and I have done for many years, and like all therapies there are so many subtleties to the art of its use. This book will take the practitioner from not only a safe and entry level position using mistletoe therapies but also elevate their technical and clinical competence. All the chapters are amazing, and ones such as chapter 5, ‘Test, Assess, Address...Don’t Guess! Adjusting Treatment Priorities in Response to the Patient’s Unique Terrain’ gets to the heart of elevating patient outcomes. This is an invaluable resource!”
— Dr. Paul S. Anderson
Co-author of "Outside the Box Cancer Therapies," Author of "Cancer - The Journey from Diagnosis to Empowerment”
The title says it all – Mistletoe and the Emerging Future of Integrative Oncology is a groundbreaking look at that potential that lays before us in integrative oncology. The blend of the science and case stories makes it easy to comprehend, for the practitioner and patient alike. Although it certainly makes the case for mistletoe as an adjunctive treatment, it goes beyond, to reinforce the power of integrative oncology itself. Monitoring and focusing on the patient’s whole “terrain” to create the personalized path back to health is truly empowering... Thank you Steven Johnson, Nasha Winters, and team...The Future is bright!
—Dorian Greenow
Founder and President, Keto-Mojo
“I am reading this book with all my heart. I say that because it is so sensitive to patients' needs. I was particularly drawn to this statement below because it completely expresses recognition of the most important aspects of truly helping people with cancer:
"At these hospitals, nurses applied herbal compresses post-operatively for surgical patients. Eurythmy (a movement therapy based on speech and tone) and music therapy were provided in the Intensive Care Units. Therapeutic massage helped center and nourish patients. Anthroposophic, homeopathic, and natural medicines were prescribed alongside state-of-the-art conventional medications, as an integral part of the treatment protocols. Can you imagine this? Even the cleaning fluids contained essential oils giving the hospital a pleasant smell of rosemary, lavender, and rose. If I close my eyes, I can still smell the aroma. Patients clearly felt cared for, and no one seemed to think this scenario was odd or out of the ordinary. I truly wanted to see hospitals and clinics like this in North America."
My focus as a patient Advocate has been to offer information and the evidence around the natural approaches. I do not necessarily favor one over the other, though personally I began a course of mistletoe, added to my Chinese herbal prescription, dietary supplements and monoclonal antibody therapy. The book has so much to offer practitioners but also patients. We are people who need this gentle touch filled with incredibly useful information. I am enjoying so much.”
— Ann Fonfa,
founder/president/volunteer Annie Appleseed Project
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!