How is mistletoe used medicinally?
It has been used for hundreds of years to treat medical conditions such as epilepsy, hypertension, headaches, menopausal symptoms, infertility, arthritis, and rheumatism. Mistletoe is one of the most widely studied complementary and alternative medicine therapies for cancer.
How does mistletoe cure cancer?
Basic research shows that mistletoe extracts may stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. Studies in humans show that mistletoe treatment may improve symptoms and reduce side effects of cancer treatments. A few studies indicate it may also have some effects on survival.
Can you ingest mistletoe?
Until recent studies were published, the American mistletoe genus, Phoradendron, was widely considered to be extremely poisonous. Swallowing American mistletoe can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset but is not likely to cause serious poisoning if small amounts are unintentionally swallowed.
Is Mistletoe good for high blood pressure?
European mistletoe has reduced headaches and dizziness associated with high blood pressure, according to preliminary research, and has a small blood pressure-lowering effect. European mistletoe (Viscum album) has reduced headaches and dizziness associated with high blood pressure, according to preliminary research.
What is the health benefit of mistletoe?
Health benefits that have been attributed to mistletoe include improving cardiovascular health, relieving stress and anxiety, and boosting the immune system to help fight off colds and respiratory problems. It is also a popular complementary therapy for cancer treatment in many parts of the world.
What is mistletoe tea used for?
Some people use European mistletoe for treating mental and physical exhaustion; to reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; as a tranquilizer; and for treating whooping cough, asthma, dizziness, diarrhea, chorea, and liver and gallbladder conditions.
What is the symbolism of mistletoe?
Historically, mistletoe represents romance, fertility, and vitality. Because nothing says love like bird feces and poison. But seriously, the Celtic Druids valued mistletoe for its healing properties and likely were among the first to decorate with it.
What is so special about mistletoe?
The white berries of mistletoe plants are poisonous to humans but valuable food to many other species. Often used as a symbol of renewal because it stays green all winter, mistletoe is famed for its stolen-kisses power. All mistletoes grow as parasites on the branches of trees and shrubs.
What causes mistletoe to grow?
Instead of producing roots in the ground, mistletoe sends out root like structures into tree branches, from which it steals water and nutrients. The tree the mistletoe grows upon is known as its host. Birds are responsible for spreading mistletoe by seed. They relish its white berries, which ripen in early winter.
What part of mistletoe is poisonous?
Mistletoe IS poisonous, although it is doubtful as to whether it will actually cause death. All parts of the plant are toxic (that’s berries, stem and leaves). The Mistletoe plant contains Phoratoxin and Viscotoxin, which are both poisonous proteins when ingested.
How do you get rid of mistletoe?
Mechanical Control. The most effective way to control mistletoe and prevent its spread is to prune out infected branches, if possible, as soon as the parasite appears. Using thinning-type pruning cuts, remove infected branches at their point of origin or back to large lateral branches.
When is the best time to spray for mistletoe?
Because ethephon sprays take 7 to 14 days to work, treat the host tree by mid-July to kill the flowers before they start seeding in early August. Ethephon sprays should only be applied to dormant trees or you risk killing the host plant along with the mistletoe.
How is mistletoe spread?
Most mistletoe seeds are spread by birds, which eat the berries and defecate on tree branches. If attached to a new host tree, the parasitic seed releases a compound called “viscin”, which dries to form a stiff biological cement.
Does mistletoe mean poop on a stick?
Ancient observations of the poop-on-a-stick origins of the plant led to its name “mistletoe,” or mistiltan in Old English, derived from the Anglo-Saxon words mistel, meaning “dung,” and tan, meaning “twig.” Mistletoe has been part of European winter traditions since long before the first Christmas.
How do you identify mistletoe?
They have shrubby stems, and thick, nearly oval leaves. Healthy trees can tolerate a few mistletoe branch infections, but individual branches may be weakened or sometimes killed. Mistletoe plants are either male or female. The female plant produces berries, which contain many sticky seeds.
What is the common name of mistletoe?
Phoradendron serotinum
What tree does mistletoe grow on?
Mistletoe (Viscum album) is an evergreen plant that is smothered in white berries from winter to spring. It grows in the branches of trees, such as hawthorn, apple, poplar, lime and conifers.