Mistletoe is a plant often associated with the Christmas holidays, due to the tradition of kissing someone to have luck and love in the new year; However, it has many virtues that make it a panacea for both the respiratory system and intestinal problems.
Mistletoe (botanical name viscum album) is a semi-parasitic plant capable of sucking the sap of the tree that houses it, but it is also partly autonomous for nutritional needs. You have to pay close attention to its beautiful white berries that contain a whitish liquid; they are poisonous and if they are ingested they risk causing vomiting and diarrhea until cardiovascular shock. Only the plant and the twigs are used in phytotherapy.
Generalized in the temperate zones of central Europe, one can find even Asia Minor, it is not present in America or Australia. In Italy it is present everywhere, especially in the center-south, except in Sardinia.
Mistletoe is an interesting anti-cancer, numerous studies show that it acts as an immunotherapy agent against cancer. Among the many virtues, it contrasts arteriosclerosis, relieves gastrointestinal problems, reduces stress and relieves the discomfort of colds and coughs.
Considered by the druids, a sacred plant able to be cured of any disease, the mistletoe, a small evergreen shrub, had special properties even for the Celts, who considered it useful to collect rays and, therefore, be directly connected to the sky.
In medieval times, however, this plant has become a curse symbol for Christians. Today, however, mistletoe is seen as a good omen plant so much that it is customary for lovers to exchange a kiss under their berries at midnight that marks the beginning of the new year.
Hypersensitivity to some active ingredients of the plant and the possible drug interactions with anticoagulants, immunosuppressants and antidepressants should be considered. Despite this, it is prized for its many herbal properties. In fact, it is effective in counteracting hypertension, since it acts on the blood supply and limits the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries. And it is recommended for those with risk of thrombosis.
The herbaceous parts, in addition, show important antitumor and immunostimulant properties thanks to the presence of glycoproteins and proteins that have immunostimulating effects that help to counteract the tumor cells, inhibiting their proliferation. Mistletoe is also recommended during chemotherapy to strengthen the action of antineoplastic drugs.
It has sedative and soothing properties and a marked anti-neuralgic action, which makes it ideal to soothe rheumatic pains and sciatica. It can be used in cases of cough and asthma. Due to its hemostatic properties it is used in case of irregular cycle and uterine bleeding. Finally it is widely used as an antidiarrheal; Etc. also contains tannins, mucilages and caffeic acid.
To take advantage of the healing properties of this plant it is possible to prepare an infusion with fresh leaves of mistletoe:
Preparation: Put the leaves in hot water but not boiling and drink 2-3 times a day.
