Mistletoe Herbal Information

NAME
Mistletoe


LATIN NAME
Viscum alba loranthaceae

ALSO KNOWN AS
Viscum, herbe de la croix, and lignum cruces.

ORIGIN
Europe and America.

PARTS USED
Dried leafy twigs.


TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Mistletoe is a nervine. It will calm, soothe and tone the nervous system. It has the ability to slow the pulse rate, lower blood pressure and stimulate contractions of the uterus.



FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
In Norse mythology it was the God of peace Balder, that inspired Mistletoe to become the kissing plant. When struck by an arrow, his life was restored so his parents gave Mistletoe to the Norse Goddess of love and she dedicated it to its widely used modern purpose.
Hippocrates and 17th centuary herbalist Culpepper prescribed it for disorders of the spleen. However it was traditionally used for convulsions (epilepsy). Native Americans used it to induce abortion and stimulate contractions during childbirth. American 19th centuary electic physicians forerunners of todays naturopaths, recommended it for epilepsy, typhoid fever,menstrual cramps, and postpartum haemorrage.


CONSTITUENTS
Mistletoe contains Viscotoxin ( a cardio-active polypeptide), triterpenoid saponins, choline, histamine, anti-tumour proteins.


TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE
Mistletoe Herbal tincture-
1:3 extraction ratio
45% vol.
1ml to 4 ml up to 3 times a day

Mistletoe Cut herb-
1-2 teaspoons cut herb per 1 cup of boiling water, leave to infuse.
Or as recommended by a herbal practitioner

PRECAUTIONS
Not to be given to children or pregnant women. Do not take if using MAO inhibitor medication, such as some anti-depressants, check with a medical practitioner.