Medicinal Properties of European Mistletoe
European mistletoe has long been known for its medicinal properties in folk medicine. This evergreen, forked, and highly branched plant grows 20–40 cm high (sometimes up to 120 cm). Through root branches, mistletoe penetrates under the bark and into the wood of the host tree, forming numerous suckers. It blooms in March–April, and its fruits ripen in September–October.
Contents of the article
Uses of European mistletoe
European mistletoe in folk medicine
Medicinal properties of European mistletoe
European mistletoe is found as a parasite on trees—most often on fruit trees, birches, and poplars, and less frequently on conifers. Since ancient times, folk healers have used its medicinal properties. The medicinal raw materials include young branches and leaves, collected in late autumn or winter.
Uses of European mistletoe
Mistletoe has been used in medicine for a long time. Pliny and Paracelsus used it to treat epilepsy, nervous disorders, colic, and bleeding. In the 18th and 19th centuries, doctors prescribed mistletoe for dizziness, apoplexy, and hysteria. Research has shown that:
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mistletoe lowers blood pressure;
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strengthens heart activity;
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dilates blood vessels;
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reduces the excitability of the central nervous system.
Mistletoe growing on birch is most commonly used. A water decoction is consumed for high blood pressure, headaches, and epilepsy. Decoctions from mistletoe growing on hornbeam, oak, and pine are used for:
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heart diseases;
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nervous disorders;
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pulmonary tuberculosis;
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cancer;
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scrofula;
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asthma;
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rheumatism.
European mistletoe in folk medicine
European mistletoe has gained wide use in folk medicine. It is taken internally as tinctures and decoctions for:
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epilepsy;
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hypochondria;
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hysteria;
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as an anticonvulsant;
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atherosclerosis;
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headaches;
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as a hemostatic agent for uterine, pulmonary, hemorrhoidal, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
For gastric bleeding, mistletoe preparations are more effective when combined with horsetail herb.
In folk medicine, mistletoe is rarely used as an anesthetic and anti-cancer agent in the late stages of cancer (when surgery is no longer effective), as mistletoe preparations inhibit the growth of malignant tissue.
In scientific medicine, mistletoe is mainly used as a hypotensive agent. Additionally, European mistletoe has some sedative, hemostatic, diuretic, anthelmintic, and astringent effects. Mistletoe preparations are used to treat:
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neuroses;
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stage II hypertension;
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intestinal atony;
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hysteria;
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epilepsy;
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skin diseases (externally);
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gynecological, gastric, pulmonary, and nasal bleeding.
In gerontology and geriatrics, mistletoe is used as part of complex therapy for elderly patients who have undergone serious illnesses. In this case, the overall effect of mistletoe preparations can be described as general strengthening.
Medicinal properties of European mistletoe
An infusion or decoction (35–40 g per 1 liter of water) of branches with leaves or berries is taken internally by the tablespoon for atherosclerosis, dizziness, headaches, convulsions, and bleeding—gastric, pulmonary, etc.
A mild decoction: 15 g per 200 ml of water; take 1 tablespoon three times a day for the same conditions.
An external decoction mixture: 15 g of mistletoe herb and 10 g each of yarrow, water pepper, oak bark, stinging nettle herb, and dead nettle flowers—mix and brew in a liter of boiling water.
The infusion is prepared at the rate of 1 teaspoon of crushed raw material per glass of boiling water. Drink 1–2 teaspoons 4–5 times a day before meals.
According to Celtic legends, Druid priests considered mistletoe a sacred plant and used it to treat even such terrible diseases as the plague.
In phytotherapy, it is common to prepare cold water infusions. A tincture on 70% alcohol or vodka is also used.
The decoction is used externally. For douching, a decoction of mistletoe leaves and branches with yarrow is used for gynecological bleeding as a hemostatic agent.
Mistletoe tea is drunk to increase tone in weak elderly people and to relieve dizziness at any age.
Externally, mistletoe decoctions are used as compresses for chronic non-healing wounds, ulcers, and abscesses; as sitz baths for hemorrhoids.
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