ANTHROPOSOPHICAL MEDICINE
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Presenters: Robert Gorter, M.D.; Gerald Darnow, M.D.; and Matthias Stoss, M.D.
Moderator: Joel Evans, M.D.
Commentaor: Carmen Tamayo, M.D.
Session: Sa9; June 12, 1999I. Abstract
Dr. Robert Gorter, Dr. Gerald Karnow, Dr. Matthias Stoss, and Dr. Carmen Tamayo presented an integrated look at the theories of anthroposophical medicine and the use of mistletoe as an alternative therapy for cancer patients. The presentation began with Dr. Karnow describing the philosophies at the heart of anthroposophical medicine, which was founded by Rudolf Steiner. In short, anthroposophy is the integration and separation of the spiritual and physical persons, and the further connections to cancer invasion and cancer therapy. Dr. Stoss and Dr. Gorter then went on to explain the intrinsic connection of the mistletoe plant to anthroposophical theory as well as its therapeutic value. Finally, Dr. Tamayo concluded the presentation with a comprehensive summary of the theory and practice of anthroposophical medicine.
II. The Cancer-Related Issue Addressed
This session addressed the potential cancer treatment options associated with the anthroposophical medicine theory. Specifically, the therapeutic uses of mistletoe plant Viscum album were discussed. Mistletoe is a cancer therapy that is widely used throughout Europe, but it has been hardly addressed or investigated within the states. Mistletoe has been shown to have tremendous anti-tumor effects because of its immunity stimulating effects.
III. The Program
A. Philosophical Background
Rudolf Steiner, PhD, founded anthroposophical medicine in the early 20th century. Anthroposophical medicine integrates the physical and spiritual components of being. It realizes that more than the physical component of life contributes to the state of health or disease. Anthroposophical medicine requires physicians to quest knowledge with the realization that what is accessible to the senses cannot fully describe a patient. The physician must be aware of the additional spirit and psyche of a person. The physician must constantly be aware of the constraints of the senses, as even during examination the physician is relying upon sense. A physical sign of disease, believed to be a manifestation of the disconnection between a life process and the body, is seen with the eyes; a symptom of disease, which provides closer access to the spirit due to the subjective nature of description, is heard with the ears. Effective physicians must be aware of their own constraints as well as their patients’ constraints as humans and must strive for their own inner development to be more able to fully assist and advise patients.
Furthermore, Dr. Karnow addressed cancer as an example of a physical process overcoming the domain in which the soul should be ruling. This upset balance manifests itself with a physical tumor – damage to the physical body, as well as fear, isolation, and lack of warmth – damage to the spiritual self. Although the uncontrolled cell growth occurs in the physical body, it has overtaken the world of the spirit. Thus, the anthroposophical treatment requires treatment of soul and body to truly heal the multiple destructive effects of cancer. This brief summary merely scrapes the surface of the depth of the anthroposophical philosophy and practice. For a more detailed study, see the references listed at the end of this report.
B. Details
Dr. Stoss and Dr. Gorter described the unique characteristics of the mistletoe therapy advocated by anthroposophical medicine. The mistletoe plant was identified by Rudolf Steiner because of its unique life cycle. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows mainly in Europe and in some places on the west coast of the United States. It has a particularly slow growth cycle, producing only one pair of leaves per year, and its fruit ripens in mid winter. The strange and different way of growth of the mistletoe plant attracted the attention of Steiner, who went on to refine the juices of the plant into cancer treatments. The extracts are unique in that the juices of the summer and winter plants must be combined, as the summer plant is at the height of its vegetative growth, and the winter plant has in some ways concluded its life rhythm. The two extracts contain different distributions of viscotoxins. By combining these two extracts, and thus these two different components of life, an anti-cancer treatment is created which has been effective. The unique life cycle characteristics of the mistletoe plant create its unique healing properties which are not found in any other plant.
C. Mechanisms of Action
It is thought that the mistletoe extract has immune activating properties which actually target cancer cells. There has been some further work done suggesting that the immune activating properties of mistletoe are also therapeutic for HIV patients. Dr. Gorter provided compelling evidence showing that upon subcutaneous injection of mistletoe, there is increased immigration of white blood cells to the area of a tumor, within four to six hours. These activated white blood cells leave the blood stream and specifically target tumor growths. The white blood cells finally find and envelop the destructive cancer cells. The actual chemical components of the mistletoe extract that commit this powerful action include a number of biologically active compounds including viscumin, viscotoxin, polysaccharides, and alkaloids. The specific activities of these components are being studied. (See the second website listed below for more specific research citations).
D. Research
One of the most pertinent sources for more information and research concerning mistletoe and anthroposophical medicine is Lilipoh, a Guide to Health, Nutrition and the Environment in the 21st Century. This newspaper specializes in the anthroposophical approach to illness, homeopathy, and naturopathic medicine. See their website at:
http://www.healthworld.com/othersites/lilipoh/iscador.htm (old link)
Further information can be obtained at:
http://www.cma.ca/cmaj/vol-158/issue-9/1157.html (old link)
IV. Limitations
The presenters suggested few serious adverse effects of the mistletoe treatment. Local inflammation can be expected upon the first treatment, because of the local increased immune response. This inflammation is actually considered a positive response because it is due to the activated white blood cells. The treatments are available as a long term program, in which the dosage is gradually increased at first and then administered twice a week for as long as five years.
V. Comments
The major criticism that was raised was one by an audience member who had tried mistletoe treatment for her cancer and had extreme allergic reactions and no positive results. The presenters responded with the suggestion that the therapy was taken too quickly, or an incorrect protocol was followed. However, some contrary evidence regarding mistletoe treatment can be found at:
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/uctm/19.html (old link)
The presenters were compelling in their support for the mistletoe treatment; but, for complete investigation of the therapy, contrary information must be evaluated as well.
The anthroposophical philosophy extends far beyond the mistletoe treatment alone. While mistletoe specifically has been investigated and presented here regarding its therapeutic uses for cancer, the basis of anthroposophy extends far beyond mistletoe. The therapeutic treatments include art therapy, music therapy, massage therapy, etc., which is beyond the scope of this presentation. However, at the foundation of the philosophy lies the awareness of the intrinsic extension of the human person beyond the physical body. As physicians and personal healers, an awareness of this depth of the human spirit is essential. There are innumerous natural tools that can be used for the healing of the human person, mistletoe is just one exceptional example. At the heart of anthroposophical medicine lies the awareness of the extensiveness of the natural and physical world, and the attempt to approach life with such a holistic, integrated philosophy.
VI. Resources
References:
Stoss, Matthias, et al. Study on Local Inflammatory Reactions and Other Parameters During Subcutaneous Mistletoe Application in HIV-Positive Patients and HIV-negative Subjects Over a Period of 18 Weeks. Drug Research, 49, 366 (1999).
Stoss, Matthias, and Robert Gorter. No Evidence of IFN-(gamma) Increase in the Serum of HIV-Positive and Healthy Subjects after Subcuntaneous Injection of a Non-Fermented Viscum albumL.Extract. Natural Immunology, 16, 157 (1998).
Van Wely, Madelon, Matthias Stoss and Robert W. Gorter. Toxicity of a Standardized Mistletoe Extract in Immunocompromised and Healthy Individuals. American Journal of Therapeutics, 6, 1075 (1999).
Gorter, Robert W., et al. Subcutaneous Infiltrates Induced by Injection of Mistletoe Extracts (Iscador). American Journal of Therapeutics, 5, 181 (1998).
VII. Audience Questions
Are injections necessary for effective treatment?
Yes. The current treatments are usually given twice a week for up to five years.
Is mistletoe undergoing clinical trials in the United States?
Yes, mistletoe has been shown to be very well tolerated through phase I and phase II clinical trials. Few serious adverse effects have been found aside from the initial inflammation reactions at the beginning of the treatment series.
Where would a health professional go to learn about anthroposophical medicine?
A health professional can be educated in Switzerland, or more information can be accessed through the websites given previously in this summary.
What are the differences between the different preparations of mistletoe?
In Germany right now there are at least seven different preparations of mistletoe, none of which are standardized. Different preparations contain different proportions of the chemical components, all of which are undergoing further research.