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| Common Uses: |
Cancer Prevention *
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| Properties: |
Nervine*
Antispasmodic*
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| Parts Used: |
Stems and leaves |
| Constituents: | amines (acetylcholine, choline, histamine, gaba and tyramine), antioxidant flavonoids (quercitin, chalcone and flavone derivatives), and terpenoids (beta-amyrin, betulinic acid, oleanic acid, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ursolic acid, lupeol and ester c |
| Traditions: |
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This traditional Christmas decoration is also a medicinal herb
Mistletoe extracts have been extensively studied in Europe as a supplemental treatment in cancer therapy.
The herb was used historically in Old Europe for treatment of epilepsy and other convulsive nervous disorders, and was used extensively in the 16th and 17th centurys. Mistletoe is a nervine, and a narcotic, that is, it has a profound effect on the nervous system. Eating the berries can cause convulsions in children. Herbalists use Mistletoe Phoradendron flavescens teas slow the pulse and lower blood pressure, treat arthritic pain and snoring. There are valuable medicinal uses for this herb, but there are many safer, less toxic choices to treat the same conditions available to the home herbalist. It may be best to enjoy mistletoe's tradition of decorating our homes in the winter season, and reflecting on it's legendary promise of the return of new life in the spring.
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Certified Organic Mistletoe Herb | Phoradendron flavescens Origin- Europe |
| PRODUCT DETAILS
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| Side Effects: |
| All forms of mistletoe are best left to professional practitioners, and are not recommended for the home herbalist. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (PDA) lists this plant as "unsafe." Mistletoe should be used only under professional supervision as part of an overall treatment plan. At least three standardized injectable extracts have been studied in Europe: Iscador, Helixor, and Eurixor. These products are not designed for self-treatment and are not commercially available in the United States- Mistletoe should be avoided during pregnancy, since it can stimulate uterine contractions. |
Preparation Methods :Injectable extracts, teas, tinctures
Remedies using : Mistletoe
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Related Species
American mistletoe, Phoradendron serotinum is the Eastern Mistletoe of eastern North America, is also classified in the Santalaceae family, but not the same genus as European Viscum genus. American mistletoe has white flowers and leaves that are more rounded and is traditionally used in Christmas decorations. American mistletoe is not equivalent to the Viscum species herbal medicine. |
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 Mistletoe, Viscum album in an apple tree in Essex, England
- European mistletoe
- Flowers:Yellow flowers in clusters of three
- Plant Class:Parasitic evergreen shrub
- Leaves:Feathery leaves
- Fruit: Round, sticky white berries
- Preferred Habitat:Hosts in firs, oaks, ad pine trees
- Flowering Season:
- Distribution:Great Britian , and much of Europe
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 Besides the dried leaves being given powdered, or as an infusion, or made into a tincture with spirits of wine, a decoction may be made by boiling 2 OZ. of the bruised green plant with 1/2 pint of water, giving 1 tablespoonful for a dose several times a day. Ten to 60 grains of the powder may be taken as a dose, and homoeopathists give 5 to 10 drops of the tincture, with 1 or 2 tablespoonsful of cold water. Mistletoe is also given, combined with Valerian Root and Vervain, for all kinds of nervous complaints, cayenne pods being added in cases of debility of the digestive organs. Grieve, Maude Modern Herbal (1931) |
This is under the dominion of the Sun, with something of the nature of Jupiter, the leaves and berries do heat and dry, and are of subtle parts ; the bird-lime mollifies hard knots, tuimniin imposthumes, ripens and discusses them, and draws forth thick as well as thin humours from the remote parts of the body... Nicholas Culpeper |
 Kissing under the mistletoe is one of the most widely known holiday traditions. Some trace this custom to the Greek who used mistletoe in the Saturnalia festival. Mistletoe also figures in a Scandinavian legend of Balder, god of Peace, who was slain with an arrow of mistletoe. He was restored to life, and mistletoe was then given into the keeping of the goddess of Love, and it was ordained that everyone who passed under it should receive a kiss, to show that the branch had become an emblem of love, and not of hate. Druids sent round their attendant youth with branches of the Mistletoe to announce the entrance of the new year. It is probable that the custom of including it in the decoration of our homes at Christmas, giving it a special place of honour, is a survival of this old custom.
Grieve, Maude Modern Herbal (1931) | |
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