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Mistletoe, cure for cancer?
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
European Mistletoe
Future cure for cancer?
Mistletoe Viscum album is a plant parasitic on the branches of a tree or shrub. All mistletoes are parasitic plants in the order Santalales.The European Mistletoe is readily recognized by its smooth-edged oval leaves in pairs along the woody stem, and waxy white berries in dense clusters of 2-6 together. In America, the Eastern Mistletoe is similar, but has shorter, broader leaves and longer clusters of ten or more berries together.All mistletoes are hemiparasites, bearing evergreen leaves that carry out some photosynthesis on their own, relying on the host mainly for water and the mineral nutrients it carries.European Mistletoe has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat seizures, headaches, and other conditions.Mistletoe is used mainly in Europe as a treatment for cancer.
How It Is Used
The leafy shoots and berries of mistletoe are used to make extracts that can be taken by mouth.In Europe, mistletoe extracts are prescription drugs that are given by injection. In the United States, mistletoe by injection is available only in clinical trials.
What the Science Says
Laboratory studies have found that mistletoe kills cancer cells and stimulates the immune system.The use of mistletoe to treat cancer has been studied in Europe in more than 30 clinical trials. Although improvements in survival or quality of life have been reported, almost all of the trials had major weaknesses in their design that raise doubts about the findings.
For example, many of the studies had a small number of participants or did not have a control group.NCCAM is sponsoring a clinical trial of mistletoe, given in combination with the drug gemcitabine, for cancer. The study will look at toxicity, safety, and immune system effects of mistletoe extract when combined with this chemotherapy drug.
Side Effects and Cautions
Raw, unprocessed mistletoe is poisonous. Eating raw, unprocessed European mistletoe or American mistletoe can cause vomiting, seizures, a slowing of the heart rate, and even death. American mistletoe is unsafe for medicinal use.In countries where commercial mistletoe is available by injection, such as Germany, those extracts are considered to be generally safe when used according to product directions and under the supervision of a health care provider.
Injected mistletoe extract may cause itching or redness in the area of the injection. Less commonly, side effects may include more extensive skin reactions, low-grade fevers, or flu-like symptoms. There have been very rare reports of more serious allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing.Because mistletoe has not yet been proven to be a safe and effective cancer treatment, it should not be used outside of clinical trials. |
XOTAELE, JoseMiguel, lovenature, Alex99, Silvio2006 has marked this note useful
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Hola Tanja.
Interesante nota que acompañas con dos imágenes en una composición con mucha nitidez.Buena presentación amiga.
TFS. Hasta pronto, JL.
:-D
Hi Tanja,
Very good composition of this parasitic plant.
I like the POV in the left pic, and the clear details seen on the right one.
A very appropiate exposure on both of them.
I found very interesting the info in your notes, a hope to the cancer.
Congratulations and thanks for share it
My best regards,
JM
- Juyona
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2256 W: 10 N: 2618]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(15517) - [2007-04-24 18:44]
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Hola Tanja,
espero sea cierto amiga,
bella compo, magnífico trabajo.
saludos
Hi Tanja
Your notes are very interesting, it would be so exciting to find out Mistletoe could cure cancer. I like you show Mistletoe attaching itself to the tree and a closer version with nice detail and colors.
We sure need a cure for cancer.
TFS Janice
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- Alex99
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3581 W: 143 N: 5669]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(18529) - [2007-04-26 11:28]
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Hi Tanja.
I like your perfect shots very much. Their quality is perfect as well as the quality of the note. Great colours and details of all objects, cloudy sky, its colours are perfect too. Your DOF is excellent. Bravo and my best regards.
Alexei.
Hi Tanja, interesting composition and very interesting note, great sharpness and lovely presentation, very well done, ciao Silvio
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1338 W: 60 N: 964]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
(8)![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1406 W: 3 N: 1572]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
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