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Howzat Former England batsman claims MISTLETOE injections cured cancer that should have killed him five years agoTreatment has been widely used in Europe – particularly in GermanyChristmassy plant may contain compounds that affect leukaemia cells
There is still scepticism in the UK, however
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UPDATED:
16:20 GMT, 25 September 2012
Miraculous recovery: Ex-England batsman John Edrich claims he recovered from cancer thanks to extracts of mistletoe
A former international cricketer who was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of leukaemia claims scientists saved his life using mistletoe.
Ex-England batsman John Edrich, of Ballater, Aberdeenshire, was given seven years to live in 2000 after being diagnosed with Waldenstrvm’s macroglobulinemia.
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Unusual methods: Dr Stefan Geider, left, a GP at Aberdeen’s Camphill Medical Practice, suggested the radical treatment using the traditional winter plant, right
The study will be carried out at the University of Aberdeen where scientists will try to understand what effect mistletoe has on immune cells in the blood of patients with cancer.
Ken Campbell, Clinical Information Officer from Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, said he was not aware of any current scientific evidence to support the treatment.
'We are aware of some research into the use of mistletoe extract,' he said. 'Studies have been carried out in Europe, especially in Germany, but it's not a recognised treatment, certainly not as a crude extract.
'Although the study in Aberdeen appears to be above board, our reaction to this sort of research is usually one of great scepticism.'