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