“Oh, ho the mistletoe, hung where you can see, somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me,”—Burl Ives, A Holly Jolly Christmas
Is there any other medicinal herb more celebrated in song, film, and pop culture than the iconic mistletoe? Originally part of an ancient Druid New Year celebration, mistletoe evolved into a popular holiday tradition to secure a kiss from your sweetheart. Considering this use as a decorative plant associated with love, it’s interesting to note that mistletoe also has a long history as medicine for cardiovascular health problems.
The image of mistletoe that most people are familiar with is the European variety, Viscum album. There is a related species found in North America, called Phoradendron serotinum, or American Mistletoe. Although very similar, the two species differ in appearance and medicinal properties. Both species, however, are used interchangeably in holiday decorating and traditions.
ALL ABOUT MISTLETOE
Both types of mistletoe are part of the parasitic Sandalwood family of plants (Santalaceae). This group of plants steal nutrients from their host to survive. As a true parasite, mistletoe does not ever obtain nutrients from the soil. Instead, it grows exclusively on the branches of deciduous trees, preferring softer barks. Mistletoe is most often found on such trees as apple, ash, hawthorn, lime, elm, hickory, birch, beech, and poplar. Although oak trees are said to be a rare host, they are considered the preferred source for medicinal uses. It’s interesting to note that not all species of Viscum are parasitic; some are merely shrubs and trees themselves.
Viscum album is a yellow-green, freely branched, and clumping shrub that stands around one to two feet when full-grown. The thick, leathery, evergreen leaves grow in an opposite formation and are similar in appearance to succulents. Small, green-white flowers appear in mid-spring to early summer, although the plant will remain throughout the winter. The whiteish berries ripen in December and each contains one seed. As there have been reported deaths from eating both the leaves and berries, the tradition of hanging mistletoe high up in a doorway may have been to keep the potentially toxic plant away from curious youngsters.
Both European and American Mistletoe are always propagated by seed, but more specifically, by the birds that eat them. Thrushes, especially, inadvertently drop some of the berries during their feast. The sticky berries attach easily to tree branches, using the flat tips of tiny roots that sprout after only a few days. These tips burrow into the trees’ bark to anchor the mistletoe and pull nutrients from its host. Due to this parasitic “lifestyle,” mistletoe is always harvested from the wild, and neither the European nor American species is cultivated.
European Mistletoe is found throughout Europe, as far east as China, and south into the Mediterranean. The American variety grows from New Jersey to Florida, as well as in Texas, Ohio, New Mexico, and Canada.
HISTORY OF MISTLETOE
Mistletoe was the most important medicinal plant to the ancient druids. It was always harvested by moonlight at the beginning of a new year by a high priest with a “golden” knife. Mistletoe was claimed to be seen in visions, directing the druids to its location. But if no visions came or the plant fell to the ground on its own, it was considered a very bad omen for coming misfortunes.
In Scandinavian folklore, Balder, the God of Peace, was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe. The other gods and goddesses revived him, and mistletoe was then given to a Goddess of Love to ensure it would not be associated with death. Anyone who passed under the plant would receive a kiss. This legend is most likely where the modern holiday tradition originated. Shakespeare called the plant “baneful mistletoe” in reference to Balder’s death.
The French sometimes refer to it as herbe de la croix, as it was believed that mistletoe was used to make the cross Christ was crucified on. This belief is often associated with the idea that mistletoe was cursed or degraded to be a parasite.
The common English name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon Misteltan, or mistel, meaning mist and tan, meaning twig. The European Latin name, Viscum, comes from the sticky nature of the berries. The American Latin name, however, is derived from Greek, phora (thief) and dendron (tree), after the plants’ parasitic nature.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES & INDICATIONS
The whole plant contains Viscin, a resin, which is considered to be the main active ingredient. In recent years, Viscum album has been studied for possible cancer treatments, with drugs being made from the plant’s extracts in Germany and Austria; however, some people have experienced hepatitis-B-like symptoms after taking remedies made with mistletoe. Although no direct link has been found, caution is advised—especially considering the potential to absorb toxins from the host tree. Generally, Viscum is used to treat hypertension temporarily until blood pressure is lowered consistently. Then another herb can be used instead.
HOW MISTLETOE AFFECTS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
European Mistletoe was included in French herbal remedies around the early 1680s—especially as a treatment for epilepsy. It was also proven useful for many health conditions associated with a weakened or disordered nervous system, such as convulsions, neuralgia, nervous debility, paralysis, delirium, hysteria, and urinary disorders. In large doses, however, Mistletoe can have the opposite effect and aggravate these same nervous conditions.
Viscin causes a temporary numbness in nerve impulses, keeping them from travelling from an affected area of the body to the brain. It also helps with epilepsy by first raising and then lowering blood pressure, while speeding up the pulse. This action interferes with the spasms associated with the condition.
HOW MISTLETOE AFFECTS THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Mistletoe is also a well-known heart tonic, historically used as a remedy for an enlarged heart, dropsy, valvular insufficiency, and a weak or irregular pulse. It is believed to lessen reflex irritability while strengthening the pulse and helping to increase a slower heart rate. It is more commonly used today to treat moderate to mildly severe hypertension.
HOW MISTLETOE AFFECTS THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
European Mistletoe is historically considered to be useful for uterine hemorrhages, amenorrhoea, and dysmenorrhoea.
American Mistletoe contains more proteins and amines, which cause contractions in smooth muscles, like the uterus. North American Indigenous tribes used the plant to help stimulate contractions during childbirth and as an abortifacient. These same medicinal properties also stimulate the heart and nervous system and are considered to be toxic.
CONTRAINDICATIONS & SAFETY
- NOT for inexperienced practitioners or enthusiasts. Internal use only under medical supervision
- NOT recommended during pregnancy
- Mistletoe can absorb toxic compounds from its host tree
- Deaths have been reported from eating leaves and berries
- Can cause migraines in some people
- Large doses of Viscum album can negatively affect the heart
PREPARATIONS & APPLICATIONS
The leaves and twigs are wild-harvested during November and dried. Both fluid and powdered mistletoe medicines were used as homeopathic remedies. It is recommended to only keep mistletoe tinctures and powders for a year, as the medicinal properties degrade over time.
Due to potential toxicity, internal use should be under medical supervision only.
SONGS THAT INCLUDE MISTLETOE IN THE LYRICS
- A Holly Jolly Christmas—Burl Ives
- Mistletoe and Holly—Frank Sinatra
- Kissing by the Mistletoe—Aretha Franklin
- Mistletoe—Justin Bieber
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas—Bing Crosby
- Hangin’ Around the Mistletoe—Alabama
- What Christmas Means to Me—Steve Wonder
- It Must Have Been the Mistletoe—Barbara Streisand
- That Christmasy Feeling—Johnny Cash
- Merry Christmas Baby—Elvis Presley
