Mistletoe is plant that symbolizes Christmas, in other words, love, peace, reconciliation and happiness. Not only that. For centuries, mistletoe herbal remedies have been used to treat epilepsy, hypertension, arthritis and infertility. Although many regard it as a parasitic plant, and following that logic, completely useless, it is actually a valuable natural medicine. Back in the 16th century it was used as a remedy to improve blood flow and relax the muscles.
Mistletoe combines several valuable components, such as alkaloids, lignans, flavonoids, lectins, and terpenes. It is a semi-parasitic plant found in trees where it has access to water and nutrients but it can also produce its own food by photosynthesis. It blossoms in the early spring, and matures in the winter. Mistletoe leaves have many health benefits but the berries are the ones hiding the poison.
As previously mentioned, mistletoe is a plant with rich symbolism. In the ancient times, the Germanic peoples and Gauls regarded it as a holy plant while the most famous physician in the history of mankind, Hippocrates, used the mistletoe plant to ward off vertigo and tumors. In the Middle Ages, this plant was recommended for women who had painful periods, and it was also used to treat cardiovascular diseases.
Today, it is an ideal natural regulator of almost every disease, of course, when prepared under the watchful eye of a pharmacist. Apart from that, it is an excellent diuretic which is why it is very useful in case of water retention. A long time ago, it was used to treat tumors, and today it has proved to be a successful ally in the battle against cancer. Your body will benefit greatly from this plant but you should avoid making your own concoction because of its poisonous qualities.
After all the information you got on this particular plant, something else should be added. Yes, you guessed it right. Holiday season is not complete without the mistletoe. Many believe that the person who steals a kiss from you on Christmas day under the mistletoe, is the person you will end up with. This tradition is popular even today so don’t hesitate to kiss that special someone, and maybe this time around, your love story will come true.
L. Rađa