Mistletoe
by Steve Tatler
The lore of Mistletoe is a delight
to explore.
Modern Medicinal
Preparation of mistletoe is a specialist activity and if dosed incorrectly
is highly POISONOUS. So should NOT be used in home medicinal preparations.
It seems that scientists today may be rediscovering the properties of
mistletoe that were understood by the ancient Druids.
Extracts from Viscum album are now being used medicinally
for lowering blood pressure, adjusting the heart rate, for problems of
hardening of the arteries, panic attacks, epilepsy, rheumatism and headaches.
It is even used in cancer treatment.
Active Constituents
Several constituents have been shown to contribute to the medicinal action
of mistletoe. Most notable are mistletoe lectins (also called viscotoxins),
choline derivatives, alkaloids, polypeptides, and polysaccharides.
Old Lore Medicinal
The fluid of the berries was used to ripen boils and tumours, the sap
from the stem was used as drops for ear ailments. In tincture, it was
used as a diuretic, to reduce blood pressure and heart attacks. Powdered
leaves were used for epilepsy (falling sickness).
Overdoses cause heart attack and fitting.
Dried mistletoe also used in incense along with a multitude of other
sacred plants in divinatory dreamings and rites of passage.
