EUROPEAN MISTLETOE

Mistletoe is used as a nervine, antispasmodic, tonic & narcotic, used for epilepsy & other convulsive nervous disorders.

It has a long history as an herbal treatment for delirium, hysteria, neuralgia & nervous debility & mistletoe tincture was used as a heart tonic in typhoid fever.

The chemical components of mistletoe impact the release of neurotransmitters that calm you down, soothing the nervous system & allowing for healthy, restful sleep. 

European mistletoe is also used for tinnitus, urinary disorders, heart disease, migranes.

In low doses mistletoe also relieves panic attacks  & improves concentration.

The mistletoe can also strengthen the digestive system & the metabolism. 

Mistletoe also has a reputation to regulate digestive functions & curing chronic constipation, probably by stimulating the gall bladder.

Mistletoe improves the pulse, regulates the heart rate & simultaneously dilates the blood vessels, which lowers the blood pressure, thus reducing symptoms such as headaches & 
dizziness.
It is an effective aid in arteriosclerosis & improves the overall function of the circulatory system.

The most common mistletoe tea benefits are reducing menopausal symptoms. Menopausal women can take mistletoe tea to relieve anxiety, hot flushes, abnormal circulation, breathing difficulty, hormonal imbalances & heart palpitation. 

Mistletoe has the ability to reduce heavy menstrual flows or disorders & bleeding after birth. A cup or two of mistletoe tea can also relieve uterine disorders, chronic cramping & improve fertility.

A mistletoe poultice can allay rheumatic & neuralgic pains. External treatments with mistletoe are also good against arthrosis. 

Mistletoe can be prepared as a plaster & applied to hardened swellings & tumours.

It can be employed in crèmes to soothe sensitive, sore skin by disinfecting & soothing & reduce abnormal cell production, which could be useful in psoriasis lotions & anti-dandruff shampoos.

The cold infusion of the mistletoe can be used for bathing & poultices to help against varicose veins & ulcers of the lower legs, eczemas.

Against hay fever you can take a snuff of mistletoe infusion.

In the eastern culture, especially in China, mistletoe,also known as Hu Ji Sheng in Pinyin, is often viewed as a healing herb that can treat low back pain, soreness & weakness around the knee, arthritis pain, excessive fetal movement, threatened abortion, high blood pressure, etc.

Primary functions are tonifying liver & kidney, strengthening the bones& muscles, expelling wind-damp & miscarriage prevention.

PRECAUTIONS:

The closely related species American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is rarely used medicinally. Some herbalists believe that it has an opposite effect from the European mistletoe (Viscum album).
Both species contain toxic proteins which are similar in their chemical composition & produce similar side effects, including hypotension, bradycardia & vasoconstriction.

The berries are considered to be especially toxic.

It should be avoided during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as it may stimulate uterine contractions.

Possible side effects include a change in pupil size, mild fever, dehydration from diarrhea, slow pulse, hallucinations, nausea, delirium or seizures.

This herb should not be used while consuming alcohol or taking drugs that slow the nervous system, such as cold & allergy drugs, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotic pain relievers, barbiturates, seizure drugs & muscle relaxants.

Mistletoe should not be used along with heart medications as the combination creates an increased risk of cardiac slow-down.

Children, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should not consume mistletoe in any form.
Mistletoe can cause liver damage if you take large amounts.

RECIPES:

Recommended dosage is from 10-15 g in decoction. 

Mistletoe Tea:
steep 5g (1 tsp) mistletoe leaves in 250ml hot water for about 5-10 minutes.
You can take up to 2 cups of hot mistletoe tea daily.

Mistletoe Cold Fusion:
soak 10 - 20g chopped mistletoe in 500ml water & let it stand overnight.
Sweeten with honey & take the infusion first in the morning.

As a tincture:
1:5 solution in 45% alcohol, 0.5 milliliter orally 3x daily.

For external use:
1 part tincture to 5 parts water.
For gout & sciatica, tincture compresses are used on the affected areas daily for 1 hour.

BEAUTY:

Mistletoe can be used as anti-dandruff head wash.

MAGIC:

Mistletoe is a sacred herb of the winter solstice that signifies transformation, regeneration & rebirth, it bestows good fortune, health, wealth & fertility.
It is the shamanic key to both, the heavens above as well as the underworld.
Mistletoe is sacred by both the Celtic Druids & the Norseman.
Celts believed this parasitic plant held the soul of the host tree.
Druids believed that the plant was especially beneficial if it grew on an Oak as it enhanced its magical properties.
It was also believed that as Mistletoe never touched the Earth from its birth it should not touch the Earth after it was cut as it would lose its magical properties.
Druids burned mistletoe & oak too see what future brings. If smoke went straight up to the sky it was a really good sign but when it lingered near the ground, it was a bad omen..
It was once deemed to be a “panacea” by some tribes in Africa, who believed wearing mistletoe would protect them from injuring in the battlefield.
Austrians put it on the threshold in order to prevent nightmares.
British will hang it as ornaments on Christmas eve & place it under the pillow for dream divination. 

Swedes use it as a dowsing rod to looking for gold mines.

As a talisman it can be used to bring good fortune.

Blessed mistletoe was placed at the door of the house to prevent it getting struck from lighting during thunderstorm & we still believe that kissing under the mistletoe on the new Year’s Eve is a charm for love for the next year.
Kiss your love beneath mistletoe & you'll stay in love.
To draw love to you, hang mistletoe over your door.

Mistletoe was considered a masculine plant that was used in fertility magic for humans & animals & was also used to instill vigour & strength in men.
Mistletoe is also carried or worn for good luck in hunting.

To ward off all evil spirits & demons, twigs of mistletoe could be hung in bundles over a door.
Mistletoe is placed in cradles to protect children from being stolen by fairies & replaced with changelings.
In some countries, springs were placed in the stable to protect livestock safe from local witches.
Hanging mistletoe in the room can help prevent bad luck & resist witchcraft while hanging it at the door can stop the witch from entering your house.
Burned, mistletoe banishes evil. 

In folk-magic amulets made from mistletoe wood were thought effective in warding off epileptic attacks. Place leaves in a pouch for an ill person to carry on their person.
Place leaves in a sachet for a woman having trouble conceiving.
A ring carved of mistletoe wood will ward off sicknesses when worn & the plant will cure fresh wounds quickly when carried.
Laid near the bedroom door, mistletoe gives restful sleep & beautiful dreams, as it does when placed beneath the pillow or hung at the headboard.

It has also been utilized in spells designed to capture that elusive state of immortality & to open locks.
Wear it around your neck to attain invisibility.

Dream about mistletoe talks about possible temptations.