| Is mistletoe the plant good for anything | | | | intestinal irritation with diarrhea. Slow |
| other than "getting caught" under? Visions of | | | | pulse and lowered blood pressure can also |
| Christmas cheer, festivities, and kisses pop | | | | occur.Mistletoe - The Honorable |
| into our heads when we think of mistletoe. | | | | PlantHistorically speaking, mistletoe has |
| The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe | | | | enjoyed a high reputation of bringing about |
| started long ago... where a berry would be | | | | good luck and prosperity. The ancient |
| taken off the sprig every time a kiss was | | | | Europeans considered mistletoe to be a sacred |
| exchanged. But there's much more to this | | | | plant. Scandinavian countries believed that |
| green, leathery sprig than you might | | | | if armies were at war where mistletoe was |
| think.Mistletoe is the name for a group of | | | | overhead, the fighting would stop. In Greece, |
| parasitic plants. They have no true roots, | | | | it was believed mistletoe would bring |
| and attach themselves to trees for survival. | | | | fertility and abundant life to newlyweds. The |
| Mistletoe lives off the host tree - without | | | | Druids used the plant for sacrifice, and |
| it, the plant would die.Mistletoe the plant | | | | Celts thought mistletoe had great healing |
| is quite the vagabond. It is spread around by | | | | powers.Mistletoe has been a long-time |
| birds that eat the mistletoe's red and white | | | | favorite of herbalists and natural healers in |
| berries. A sticky pulp within each berry | | | | Asia and Europe. The extract from mistletoe |
| contains the mistletoe seed. The pulp oozes | | | | the plant (not its berries) has been used for |
| from the bird's beak and fastens to a tree's | | | | treating conditions such as cancer, |
| branches. Seeds can also be transported from | | | | respiratory ailments, circulatory problems |
| one tree branch to another by the bird's | | | | and epilepsy. The parts of the mistletoe |
| droppings.Mistletoe - The Notorious PlantThe | | | | plant used for therapy are the leaves and |
| mistletoe plant has had an interesting bout | | | | developing twigs.According to the National |
| with its reputation, both good and bad. Many | | | | Cancer Institute, laboratory and animal |
| people, usually those having trees that are | | | | studies have been conducted with mistletoe. |
| burdened by this plant, think of mistletoe as | | | | The findings suggest that mistletoe may |
| a destructive nuisance. The plants draw water | | | | enhance the immune system. However, few |
| and minerals from the trees, and during a | | | | studies on humans have been done.Although |
| drought this can be quite devastating. | | | | there is a good deal of information about |
| Mistletoe infestation often results in | | | | mistletoe's ability to affect the immune |
| deformities of the tree's branches.Pruning | | | | system, there is no scientific evidence yet |
| the infested tree is helpful, if the amount | | | | stating that this heightened immunity leads |
| of mistletoe is small. For an overwhelming | | | | to increased destruction of cancer cells.All |
| infestation, the only real remedy is to | | | | in all, the mistletoe plant has emerged |
| remove the tree. At the very least, cutting | | | | victorious from such a diverse background. |
| out the parasite itself will reduce its | | | | Today, the Christmas tradition of the |
| spread somewhat. The mistletoe will | | | | mistletoe plant has sparked its market value |
| eventually grow back. Unfortunately, the | | | | and popularity. Just remember to keep it out |
| chemicals that will destroy mistletoe are | | | | of reach of pets and little ones... and when |
| harmful to the host trees.Is mistletoe a | | | | the mistletoe berries run out, so do the |
| hazard? Yes, in varying degrees. Contact with | | | | kisses.Copyright 2006 Robert MosseRobert |
| the berries can cause a rash very much like | | | | Mosse is a gardening and lawn care specialist |
| poison ivy to people who are sensitive to it. | | | | and author of the "Easy" Lawn and Gardening |
| Many mistletoe plants are also poisonous to | | | | Book Series. Visit Robert at Lawn And |
| small children and pets. Typically, ingestion | | | | Gardening Tips for great, hands-on gardening |
| of enough mistletoe causes stomach and | | | | info... |