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Information about the herb Mistletoe
Viscum album, also known as All-heal is part of the Loranthaceae plant family. Mistletoe is found throughout Europe. The Mistletoe is an evergreen parasitic
plant growing on the branches of trees, especially Apple, Ash Hawthorn and Lime
trees.
The genus Viscum (signifying 'sticky') has 30 or more species.
Botanical Name: Viscum album
Plant Family: Loranthaceae
Common name: All-heal, Birdlime Mistletoe, Devil's Fuge, European Mistletoe, Herbe de la Croix, Lignum Crucis, isselto (Culpepper), Mistel
History: The English name is said to have come from the Anglo-Saxon Misteltan, tan meaning 'twig' and mistel from 'mist' or from tan, 'a twig' and mistl, meaning 'different'.
Culpepper places it 'under the dominion of the Sun'.
The Druids used it as:
- a cure for sterility
- an antidote for poisons
Tradition:
- It was thought that if it was hung around the neck it repelled witchcraft
- It was used by the Gypsies as a protection against sorcery and witchcraft
- The plant is called Herbe de la Croix in Brittany as legend has it that Jesus's cross came from its wood
- The Druids held Mistletoe in great reverence believing it protected one from evil
The legend of kissing under the Mistletoe comes from a Scandinavian legend:
'Balder, the God of Peace was slain with an arrow made of Mistletoe. The gods and goddesses restored him to life and the Mistletoe was given into the keeping of the Goddess of Love, who decreed that everyone who passed under it should receive a kiss to show it had become an emblem of love and not hate.'
Plant Constituents of Mistletoe
Contains:
- fixed oil
- mucilage
- odorous principle
- salts
- sugar
- tannin
- Viscin, a resin
Action: If taken as a tea, Mistletoe should always be used as a cold infusion
- antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
- cardio-tonic [an agent that stimulates or otherwise affects the heart]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
- emetic [an agent that causes vomiting]
- hypotensive [lowers blood pressure]
- narcotic [a drug which relieves pain and induces sleep when used in medicinal doses; large doses of narcotics produce convulsions, stupor, insensibility, coma or death]
- nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
- stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
- tranquilizer
- vasodilator [an agent that widens the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure]
Medicinal Parts Used: Leaves, young twigs, berries
Mistletoe is used in small doses for:
Blood Conditions
- bleeding from the lungs or intestines caused by typhoid or dysentery
- disturbance in blood circulation, combined with Horsetail
- internal and external hemorrhage
- nosebleed
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- convulsions
- convulsive nervous disorders
- delerium
- dizziness
- epilepsy
- headache
- hysterical complaints
- nerves
- nervous debility
- neuralgia
- St. Vitus's Dance
- weakened state of the Nervous System
Cardiovascular Conditions
- arteriosclerosis
- hardening of the arteries
- heart disease (lessens reflex irritability while raising the frequency of a slow pulse)
- heart and circulatory complaints
- heart flutters
- normalizes circulation
- poor circulation
- prevention and treatment of strokes
- raises low blood pressure, combined with Yarrow, Rosemary and Hawthorn
- reduces high blood pressure, combined with Hawthorn, Horsetail and Garlic
- strengthens the heart
It is used for the side effects of abnormal blood pressure, such as:
- blood rushing to the head
- buzzing in the ear
- dizziness
- visual defects
Female Conditions
- bleeding after childbirth
- chronic cramping
- female infertility
- heavy menstruation
- uterine and menstrual disorders
It is also helpful for women during menopause for:
- breathing difficulties
- feelings of anxiety
- heart palpitation
- hormonal imbalance
- hot flushes
- normalizing circulation
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- faulty digestive processes
Glandular Conditions
- benefits the whole glandular system
- favorably influences the pancreas
- stimulates glandular activity relating to digestion
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- debility of the digestive system, combined with Cayenne
Genitourinary System Conditions
- urinary disorders
Inflammatory Conditions
- arthritic pain
Metabolic Conditions
- aids metabolism
- chronic metabolic disorders
- diabetes
Other
- cancer
- lack of energy and unwillingness to work
It is used externally for:
- chill blains
- frost bite
- sores
- ulcers
- varicose veins
Other Uses:
- The Thrush bird eats the berries
- Winter fodder for sheep
Dosage:
Recommended dosage is as follows:
- 20-40mL per week of 1:2 fluid extract
Caution:
- Large doses can have a detrimental effect on heart action
- The berries can be dangerous if eaten, especially for children
Global Herbal Supplies has Mistletoe available in the following forms
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
