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Mistletoe
(Viscum album)
birdlime, European mistletoe, all-heal
 Description:
An evergreen, semi-parasitic plant found on branches of
deciduous trees, preferring the soft bark, especially
in old apple trees, where the roots grow from the wood
of that host. The stem is yellowish, smooth, freely forked,
separating, when dead, into bone-like joints. Yellow-green
leaves are opposite, tongue shaped, very thick, leathery.
Pale green flowers appear from March to May. The female
flowers develop into sticky white berries. Found in Europe,
cultivated in the U.S.
Medicinal:
It is a cardiac diuretic, nervine, stimulant, and vasodilator.
A tea from the leafy young twigs or leaves acts on the
circulatory system, speeding up the pulse and lowering
blood pressure. It also stimulates the digestion, and
known to help in epilepsy and other nervous disorders.
It is used as a wash for leg ulcers, varicose veins and
chilblains. Large doses have a detrimental effect on the
heart. Eating the berries can be dangerous, especially
for children. Use with care and under medical direction.
Kissing beneath it is an ancient fertility symbolism.
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