Even though Mistletoe is not an herb that you will find in your back yard, it is perfect for a winter issue topic. Mistletoe has been around for centuries and has always been associated with Christmas in some form or another. The age-old tradition of receiving a kiss when someone is found under it is most familiar. The plant has many legends around it. The oldest being that mistletoe had been used to make Christ’s cross and afterward had been cursed and denied a place on the earth and so became a parasite. You will not find this plant growing on the ground. Your eyes must look upward. And in so doing, without realizing it, you will be following a long-held ritual.
Legend has it that a certain phase of the moon will signal the beginning of the new year. White robed figures would trudge through a winter oak forest, peering upward. A cry would ring out and all would turn to see a clump of green dangling from a gnarled branch. The priest would come forward and pull from his robes a golden sickle. He would ascend the tree and as the priest cut the plant from its perch, the others below would begin chanting in ceremony. The plant would be caught in a sheet of white cloth, not touching the ground. For if this particular plant fell, misfortune would follow. This ancient rite of the Druids gathering Mistletoe was filled with mystery and sometimes misconstrued as the belief that Druids worshipped trees. They did revere them, but more for the medicines they provided. It was the Mistletoe they were gathering which they put to use in their herbal remedies and other rites of passage.
Mistletoe was discovered had an effect on those who had epilepsy by temporarily numbing nerve impulses. It would raise blood pressure then lowers it and speeds up the pulse. It was also discovered that Mistletoe would stimulate contractions during childbirth. There is a study being done that shows promise in treating certain cancers. However, there is a danger. Mistletoe does contain toxic proteins, but at the same time, the study being conducted was done on laboratory animals. Large amounts are usually given to simulate the amount that a human would receive. My inclination would be to look at how the plant had been used for centuries by others that knew it best. This does not mean that caution should be ignored. If you plan on taking Mistletoe, I would recommend talking to an expert herbalist. They can help you with taking the right dose. Mistletoe is not an herb that should be taken lightly. It is a very powerful remedy that requires monitoring. If you ignore that, you could be doing yourself more harm than good. There is one warning I would give. DO NOT EAT THE BERRIES! Those are poisonous. And always consult a physician before beginning any herbal remedy regiment. Certain herbs will react to certain medications. Being educated about what you are taking will protect you from harm. Better safe than sorry in the end.
If you would like to know more, you can subscribe to my quarterly newsletter, the Backyard Medicine Chest. I will describe three different herbs that you can find in your back yard, no matter where you live. I will also provide an easy herbal remedy that you can make at home and try. The cost to you is only $75.00. You can receive that newsletter in PDF format or hardcopy. Just email me at gjoaquin@cox.net and I will send you the information for subscribing to Backyard Medicine Chest.
