Mistletoe

    
Botanical name:
Viscum album
Family:
Loranthaceae/Viscaceae, Mistletoe family
Where to find this herb :
It is a parasitic on various trees. Abundant near rivers on poplars. Also common on fruit trees.
Special constituents:
Glycoproteins: mistletoe lectins. Polypeptides: viscotoxins. Flavonoids, phenylcarboxylic acids and polysaccharides.
Part(s) used:
young twigs
Correspondance:
Sun (Culpeper, Cunningham, Druehyld). Path nr. 2, 20 (Crowley)
Uses:
Hypotensive, cardiac tonic, immunostimulant, antineoplastic (prevents/inhibits tumors)

Mistletoe
from seeds outdoors grows in the wild in N. Eur.

Maretak Mistelten
 
  Description:
For medical purposes, the young twigs of Mistletoe are used. The berries are toxic to humans, though not to birds, who eat them and thus spread the seeds.

Extracts of Mistletoe is used as a cardiac tonic, and to treat various forms of cancer. The antineoplastic properties are well documented.

Magically, Mistletoe is used for protection. It was sacred to the Druids. Especially sacred was Mistletoes growing on Oaks (this is very rare!). When harvesting the herb, make sure it doesn't touch the ground. A wand made from Mistletoe should ward off all evil.

Scandinavian mythology states that Balder, the god of Peace, was slain with an arrow made of Mistletoe. All trees had promised that they would never hurt Balder; but the mistletoe hadn't been asked, as it was so small. But Loke made an arrow from Mistletoe and Balder was slain with it.

And of course, we all know the good old tradition of hanging up a branch of mistletoe around Christmas! Mistletoe does have a reputation for being an aphrodisiac and ensuring fertility. So careful with it!