Have you heard about the mistletoe plant and its healing virtues? Here we will explain about the benefits and contraindications of mistletoe, but first let’s see its botanical aspect.
It is a perennial, semi-evergreen parasitic plant that grows on the branches of trees.
Most commonly seen on old apple, ash, and hawthorn trees; Although mistletoe does not grow as well on oak trees, oak mistletoe has traditionally been most widely used as an herbal medicine.
Description: the mistletoe it has opposite, thick, leathery leaves that are oval or lance-shaped and about two inches long. These form a drooping yellowish evergreen shrub about 2-3 feet long on the branch of a host tree. It has densely packed branches with oval to lance-shaped leaves about 2 inches long.
The flowers, in compact spikes, are bisexual, unisexual, or regular. They are more yellow than the leaves and appear in late winter. These develop into single-seeded white berries, which when ripe are filled with a sticky, semi-transparent pulp. The seeds are eaten by birds and spread by them to other trees.
Plant parts used: leaves and stems.
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Mistletoe health benefits
The active components present in the plant are the mistletoe lectins I, II and III (glycoprotein); viscotoxin (protein); galacturonan, arabinogalactan (polysaccharides) and alkaloids.
The mistletoe was a sacred plant of the Celtic peoples; the Celts and Gauls called it “everything heals” or “heals all”.
Shakespeare called mistletoe «malevolent mistletoe,» a reference to Norse mythology when Baldur, the god of peace and beauty, was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe and later revived by the other Norse gods.
Traditional herbalists use mistletoe as a nervine, antispasmodic, tonic, and narcotic, and European herbalists consider it a specific remedy for the dance of Saint Vitus, the epilepsy and other convulsive nervous disorders.
It has a long history as an herbal treatment for delirium, hysterianeuralgia and nervous weakness, and tincture of mistletoe was used as a cardiac tonic in the typhoid fever.
Herbal practitioners have used this herb as a treatment for urinary disorders, heart disease, and other symptoms arising from a weakened or disordered state of the nervous system.
Mistletoe has been used to lower blood pressure and heart rate, relieve anxiety and as an herbal sleep aid.mistletoe benefits and contraindications
The herb was traditionally used throughout Europe as a remedy for headaches, dizziness, loss of energy, and irritability.
It has been used as a traditional herbal remedy for the treatment of cough, especially whooping cough, bronchial asthma, and asthmatic attacks due to psychological stress.
Traditional herbal medicine uses the herb as a natural treatment for arthritic pain and is believed to be an effective external treatment for leucorrhea, gout, and sciatica.
Numerous studies have reported that the lectins from the plant, in Viscum album, possess toxic, cytotoxic, antitumor, and anticancer properties.
Research is currently underway in Europe to determine its potential in the chemotherapy against cancer and in Germany, extracts of European mistletoe are sometimes used as a treatment for certain types of cancer.
The German Commission E approved it as a treatment for degenerative and inflamed joints and as a palliative therapy for malignant tumors. mistletoe benefits and contraindications
The closely related species to American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is rarely used medicinally. Some herbalists believe that it has an effect opposite to that of European mistletoe (Viscum album).
However, the American and European species contain toxic proteins that are similar in chemical composition and produce similar side effects, including hypotension, bradycardia and vasoconstriction in test animals.
Some herbalists believe that American mistletoe often called false or oak mistletoe stimulates smooth muscles, causing an increase in blood pressure and increased uterine and intestinal contractions.
Native Americans used American mistletoe as a treatment for paralysis, and it was also used as an oral contraceptive and to stop bleeding after childbirth.
Also know Remedies for facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
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Dosage and administration
Mistletoe is used as dried leaves, capsules, infusion, liquid extract, and tincture.
As dried leaves: 2-6 grams orally three times a day.
As a liquid extract: 1:1 solution in 25% alcohol, 1-3 milliliters orally three times a day.
As a tincture: 1:5 solution in 45% alcohol, 0.5 milliliters orally three times a day.mistletoe benefits and contraindications
For external use: one part of tincture to five parts of water. For gout and sciatica, tincture compresses are used daily on affected areas for one hour.
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Mistletoe contraindications
Not all mistletoe species are recommended for the home herbalist and are best left to professionals.
While there are valuable medicinal uses for this herb, all parts of the plant are extremely toxic and there are much safer and less toxic options available to the home herbalist to treat the same conditions.
The berries are considered especially toxic.
It should be avoided during pregnancy or lactation, as it can stimulate uterine contractions.
Possible side effects include a change in pupil size, mild fever, dehydration from diarrhea, slow pulse, hallucinations, nausea, delirium, or seizures. mistletoe benefits and contraindications
This herb should not be used while consuming alcohol or taking medications that slow down the nervous system, such as cold and allergy medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotic pain relievers, barbiturates, anti-seizure medications, and muscle relaxants.
Avoid using mistletoe with medications that lower blood pressure or with medications to relieve depression (called MAO inhibitors, such as Marplan and Nardil).
The herb should not be used in conjunction with heart medications, as the combination creates an increased risk of heart slowing. Any use of the herb should always be under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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Also know
Boxwood: Benefits and contraindications
Essential oils for Bell’s palsy or facial
Henbane: Benefits and contraindications
Remedies for trigeminal neuralgia (face or facial pain)
Remedies for cerebral palsy
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