Mistletoe is an evergreen plant with narrow leaves, thin branches and white berries. The beliefs and rituals of many peoples are associated with it. The inhabitants of Sweden on St. John's Day are looking for the mistletoe and believe that if you attach its branches to the ceiling in the house, then the trolls will not be able to harm either people or animals. Surprisingly, on the other side of the world - in the north of Japan, mistletoe is credited with the same magical properties. This plant had the greatest popularity among the Celtic priests, who were sure that the mistletoe was a panacea for all ills and diseases. This plant has long been used as a medicinal plant. Studies of the composition of mistletoe are still ongoing, but many medicinal properties of white mistletoe are known. We will talk about the use of plants in traditional medicine in this article.
Magical mistletoe
The fragrant branches of the plant were part of many pagan rituals. Not only the druids deified the mistletoe. The British also considered it a sacred plant. When leaving for distant lands, they took a mistletoe with them as a talisman. In America, before the New Year, a mistletoe sprig adorns every home as a symbol of happiness and true love. Many legends and legends about the magical properties of this plant walk around the world. And indeed, mistletoe is a very interesting plant.
Seeds are rooted in the branches of other trees and grow into spherical bushes. You can meet white mistletoe on apple and hawthorn, chestnut and mountain ash, poplar and birch, linden and walnut, oak and hornbeam, willow, elm and maple, on pear and plum. The plant takes root even on conifers. When there are no leaves on the trees, mistletoe bushes are clearly visible. Mistletoe is growing in the Baltic states, Ukraine, Belarus, central Europe, southern Russia and the North Caucasus.
Active substances
White mistletoe found use for a long time as a cure for epilepsy. The ancients were sure: as the mistletoe, having established itself on the branches, does not fall to the ground, the epileptic, while taking the mistletoe infusion or carrying a piece of the plant in his pocket, will not fall in a fit. Since the time of Hippocrates, it has been used as an astringent and styptic. Anorexic and purulent wounds were treated with mistletoe ointment, and bleeding was stopped. Even Paracelsus (XV century) studied as a doctor the healing properties of plants and substantiated its use. Mistletoe white treated dizziness, spinal cord paralysis, eye disease, and swelling.
But what about modern research? Mistletoe branches and leaves are known to contain gum, fatty oil, sugar, starch, tannin and protein, viscin and mineral salts. Also found in mistletoe shoots: lectin, biogenic amines, viscotoxin, flavonoids, ursolic and oleanolic acids, choline, resins, inositol, triterpene saponins, palmitic acid, carotene, rubber, tarry substances and vitamin C. In the bark of the plant, glycosidine was found. The ratio of certain substances, as well as the properties and use of white mistletoe, depend on which "host" it has grown.
Therapeutic action
The use of mistletoe for medical purposes is quite diverse. The plant has diuretic, analgesic, antisclerotic, astringent and laxative properties. Mistletoe can reduce pressure, expand blood vessels, strengthen the heart, reduce the excitability of the nervous system. It is also useful for nursing mothers, as it increases lactation. Mistletoe is also known as a potency enhancer. Outwardly, mistletoe is used as an anesthetic and emollient. It is effective for muscle pain and inflammation of the lymph nodes. Mistletoe preparations are taken for atherosclerosis, gynecological diseases, inflammation of the kidneys and gastric mucosa, tuberculosis, asthma, hemorrhoids, and various bleeding.
The plant is also recommended for diabetes, thyroid disorders, loss of strength and varicose veins. The remedy for young shoots of mistletoe is used to treat malignant tumors. As an anti-cancer agent, mistletoe is widely used in Europe. In Germany, a separate direction is developed - mistletoe. The plant inhibits cancer cells and is known for its antimetastatic action. Tincture of mistletoe white is used as a rheumatic agent. Although it is considered a poisonous plant, it has been successfully used for poisoning and dysentery.
Contraindications
If it came to the fact that the plant is poisonous, it should be recalled that the preparations made from the plant require caution in use. With prolonged use of preparations from mistletoe, there may be intoxication of the body. Mistletoe should not be taken for more than 2 months. Between treatment courses, a break of at least one month is required. Tinctures and decoctions from it to nursing mothers and during pregnancy are categorically contraindicated. Contraindications apply to people:
- with reduced pressure;
- renal pathologies;
- asthenia;
- thyroid diseases.
When using funds with mistletoe, allergic reactions can occur. At the first dose, it is recommended to start with a small dose to make sure that there is no individual intolerance. Take mistletoe with caution, only the recommended dose. Since with an overdose, necrosis of the mucous membranes can be observed.
Mistletoe preparations
In official medicine, preparations based on the extract of mistletoe leaves are also used. For example, Viskalen and Omelen, effective vasodilators, reduce blood pressure well. For the treatment of sciatica and neuralgia created drug "Acofit". For the treatment of epilepsy, bleeding, pain in the abdomen, alcohol tincture of the plant is recommended. In each package for the preparation with mistletoe white - instructions for use.
Traditional medicine knows several ways to use mistletoe:
- infusion;
- alcohol tincture;
- decoction;
- tea drink;
- ointment.
All of them fully allow you to use the healing properties of white mistletoe. We’ll talk about the application of some of them.
Mistletoe Flask
As an infusion, mistletoe is used to treat hypertension, asthma, neuralgia, gynecological diseases, trophic ulcers, convulsive seizures and bedwetting. Also, weak infusions from the plant are recommended for diarrhea, hemorrhoids, dysentery. Infusions help with intestinal atony. They are also used in complex therapy for atherosclerosis and kidney disease.
One and a half tablespoons of chopped twigs and leaves of mistletoe pour a glass of boiling water. Insist 1 hour. Strain.
For external use, make compresses and lotions. Inside, the drug is taken 15 minutes before meals, 1-2 tablespoons, three times a day.
Lotions also help with tumors of oncological origin. Mistletoe broth is simultaneously taken orally. In this case, mistletoe taken from birch is recommended.
Alcohol tincture
The use of white mistletoe in this case is possible both for local use and for oral administration. It is recommended for all of the above diseases.
One part of the crushed mistletoe pour five parts of alcohol. Insist one and a half weeks. Shake the tincture container periodically. Strain.
Take tincture before meals, three times a day, 40 drops. To drink the drug for no more than 21 days, then a break of one and a half to two weeks is necessary.
Mistletoe broth
Broth has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It is prescribed for epilepsy, excessive irritability, hysteria, dizziness, convulsions. The tool helps with a breakdown in old age.
Grind a dessert spoon of leaves and stalks of mistletoe and pour a glass of water. Boil for a minute or two. Insist and strain for half an hour. Drink 1 tablespoon after meals three times a day.
Tea drink
Mistletoe tea is recommended to normalize blood pressure, for menstrual irregularities, for hormonal disorders, and for sclerosis.
Pour a teaspoon of twigs with a glass of water (boiled). Night insist. In the morning, strain. You can warm up before use. 1-3 glasses of mistletoe tea are drunk during the day.
Berry ointment
Mistletoe ointment is an excellent remedy for frostbite.
Grind fresh berries and grind with pork fat (cold) or fat. Compresses with ointment should be applied to frostbitten areas.
Herbal mix for women
Mistletoe favorably affects women's health. It is recommended for many diseases: inflammation, whiteness, problems with the menstrual cycle, cervicitis, fibroids, etc.
Take equal parts of mistletoe, mountaineer and bird bag. A tablespoon of the mixture of herbs pour a glass of water, boil for 2-3 minutes. Cool and strain.
Drink half an hour before meals, twice a day, half a glass. The course is 3 weeks, then a break of at least 15 days.
Mistletoe and Sophora
The combination of mistletoe and sophora has a beneficial effect on the body. This tincture cleanses blood vessels, neutralizes and slows the growth of cancer cells, strengthens the heart and nervous system. Such a remedy is recommended for angina pectoris, thrombophlebitis, hemorrhoids, mastopathy, diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal tract, kidney and liver diseases.
250 g of crushed mistletoe pour 0.5 liters of vodka. Separately pour 0.5 l of vodka to 100 g of Japanese sophora. Both remedies individually insist a month. Then mix them and insist another week. Strain.
Drink 1 teaspoon before meals three times a day. The course is no more than a month, then a week-long break (minimum).
Mistletoe for weight loss
It is worthwhile to separately talk about mistletoe as a means for losing weight. This sore point worries many women. And one cannot fail to note reviews about the use of white mistletoe for weight loss. Many of them confirm that mistletoe can really help lose weight and gain a beautiful figure. They also note the great taste of the decoction, and their effectiveness - on average, over 5 days a loss of 3-4 kg of weight. Important: carefully read the contraindications. In diseases of the liver, you should never drink a decoction for weight loss. If this happened due to ignorance or carelessness, if nausea and dizziness appeared, it is urgent to consult a doctor.
Taking the remedy from white mistletoe for weight loss (the use of willow willow is desirable), it is not recommended to exceed the dosage and sit on a strict diet. Fatty and floury can be excluded. The course is designed for 5 days:
- 1st day. Insist a linden (4 tablespoons) in a liter of boiling water (2 hours). Drink broth during the day. It is advisable to eat low-calorie foods.
- 2nd day. Everything is the same as on the first day. Only use mistletoe instead of linden.
- 3rd day. Equal parts (4 tbsp each) mistletoe and linden pour 2 liters of boiling water (or 2 tablespoons mistletoe and linden per 1 liter of water). Insist and drink during the day.
- 4th day. Everything is like on the 3rd day. Only add honey (1 tablespoon) to the infusion, which will increase not only taste, but also the results of weight loss.
- 5th day. Prepare the infusion in the same way as on the 3rd day. Add honey and lemon juice to the drink.
During the use of white mistletoe (reviews confirm this), cheerfulness is felt and pressure rises slightly. As a tonic, this remedy is not recommended for heart diseases. And of course, it is contraindicated in breastfeeding and pregnancy.
Mistletoe is a truly amazing plant. It will help against many diseases. No wonder about her many legends and stories. But we must not forget that mistletoe contains plant poison. In the Middle Ages, mistletoe tincture was used by poisoners. Remember: in excess of the norm specified in the recipes, funds from the plant can not be taken. It is overdose and inattentive attitude to contraindications that become the causes of unpleasant consequences.