Mistletoe

History and Uses:
Mistletoe is an evergreen shrub and hemiparasitic on the branches of deciduous trees, particularly oak, chestnut, apple or black poplar. The berries produce a sticky substance known as birdlime (hence one of its alternate names). The Latin name, Viscum, refers to the stickiness of the seeds, a property essential to the propagation of Mistletoe, as its seed must stick to the trunk of its host long enough to germinate and insert a root into the bark for nutrients. One of the explanations for its name is that Mistletoe is derived from the Celtic word, mil'ioc, meaning "all-heal." The ancient Druids of northern Europe and other pagan groups revered Mistletoe and celebrated the beginning of winter by collecting Mistletoe (by a high ranking priest who cut it with a golden knife) and hanging it in their homes. In Scandinavia, the god of peace, Balder, was slain with an arrow made of Mistletoe. It is also said to be the legendary "Golden Bough" that saved Aeneas from the underworld in Virgil's poem. Romans, Celtics and Germans believed that Mistletoe was a key to the supernatural, and the plant also represented sex and fertility. Over time, this reverence for Mistletoe was translated into the Christian ritual of hanging Mistletoe over doorways at Christmas. A berry was removed with each kiss, and when they were gone, the Mistletoe was said to have lost its powers. The custom of kissing under the Mistletoe may be a remnant of pagan orgies held before Mistletoe altars. The young leafy twigs with flowers are used medicinally. Mistletoe's white berries are potentially toxic and should be avoided. Herbalists use European Mistletoe to strengthen the heart and to reduce blood pressure. Combined with Valerian Root and Vervain in equal parts, it makes an excellent nervine tonic, and the powdered leaves have been used in the treatment of epilepsy. The primary chemical constituents may vary according to the host plant, but typically include glycoproteins, polypeptides (viscotoxin), flavonoids, triterpene saponins, caffeic acid, lignans, choline, vitamin C and histamine. Test tube and animal studies suggest that European Mistletoe extracts can stimulate insulin secretion from pancreas cells and may improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Given both Mistletoe's tradition around the world for helping people with diabetes, and these promising pre-clinical results, human clinical trials are certainly needed to establish Mistletoe's potential for this condition. This herb is also known to relieve pain from headaches caused by high blood pressure. Mistletoe is said to reduce the heart rate, and at the same time is believed to strengthen the capillary walls. Its cardiotonic action is thought to be due to the lignans, while the hypotensive action is believed to be due to a choline derivative related to acetylcholine. Choline derivatives bring about parasympathetic stimulation and vasodilation.