Mistletoe

Viscum Album

During this season of the year mistletoe brings up pictures of happy couples kissing underneath it. This custom came from the Celts who had priests called Druids. They put mistletoe over the doors of their houses because it was considered sacred and fighting was not permitted under it.

 Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows in trees. It is also considered an herb and has been used in Europe for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. The berries, leaves and stems are the parts of the plants that are used. Some of the conditions it has been used for are epilepsy, hypertension, infertility and arthritis.

 

Mistletoe, for medicinal uses, is probably best known for its use with cancer. There is not much scientific evidence for this, though there is anecdotal evidence. The use of mistletoe in the United States was brought to public attention by the celebrity Susanne Somers who took it to treat her breast cancer. 

In folk medicine, European mistletoe was used for cardiovascular disease. It is also reportedly an antispasmodic, and good for asthma, the immune system, epilepsy, hiccups, hemorrhoids, headaches and menopause. It has also been used to help ease the effects of chemo and radiation treatments in cancer patients. A tea can be made from it for treating hypertension.

Mistletoe has side effects and is not generally recommended in this country for cancer treatment because there is very little scientific evidence that it works. It seems to kill cancer cells in the lab but not in people in real life. It is definitely contraindicated if a woman is pregnant or nursing. 

Mistletoe is considered toxic, especially the berries. Used in small amounts it is possibly safe, but side effects are vomiting, cramping and diarrhea. Because of the lack of good evidence it is extremely important that you work with a health care professional if you desire to try it. It is not recommended for auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupis and rheumatoid arthritis. Do not take mistletoe if you are taking blood pressure medicine.

My book Ten Healthy Teas makes a great, inexpensive gift item for the holidays. Go to my website at www.valerielull.com for more information.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net