It is a hemiparasitic shrub, which grows on the stems of other trees. The leaves are in opposite pairs, strap-shaped, entire, leathery textured. The fruit is a white or yellow berry containing one seed embedded in the very sticky, glutinous fruit pulp.
Prefers softwood trees: pine, fir, birch and poplar, less common on oak and less often on pear or hawthorn.
Mistletoe leaves and young twigs are used by herbalists, and preparations made from them are popular for attempting to treat circulatory and respiratory system problems.
European mistletoe has always attracted popular interest and has been surrounded by a number of myths and legends.
In cultures across pre-Christian Europe, mistletoe was seen as a representation of divine male essence (and thus romance, fertility and vitality). It still plays a role in the folklore of some countries.
Тhe Celts considered it a remedy for barrenness in animals and an antidote to poison, and sacred when growing on oak trees (where it is rare).
In Bulgaria, fruits are used for jewelry for girls and brides. In folklore, the fall of mistletoe grain is a sign of abundant harvest.
In Greek mythology mistletoe was used by heroes to access the underworld.
The Romans associated mistletoe with love, peace, and understanding and hung it over doorways to protect the household.
Herb Brewing - one spoonful of chopped white mistletoe leaves are boiled for about 10 minutes in 400 ml. water
Baths - help with rheumatism, sciatica, joint pain, swelling, etc. Prepared from white mistletoe or infusion.
A decoction of white mistletoe - the fruit is boiled in wine and the resulting decoction is drunk three times a day.
In larger doses, the drug is poisonous and should not be taken for a long time.
The mistletoe is poisonous to dogs.
