Interesting Facts About Mistletoe

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I haven't seen or heard anything about mistletoe in several years. We used to buy it in bunches and hang it in doorways, and if two people met there a kiss could be stolen. In Britain, it is said that no lady should refuse a kiss. One condition is in exchange for a kiss one berry can be removed and when all the berries are gone no more kisses can be stolen. Mistletoe(viscum album) used to be a very familiar sight at Christmastime. There could be bunches of it tied with a bow and put in doorways in people's homes. It is known by several different names such as Devil's Fuge, golden bough, birdlime, and drudonfuss. There is a Welsh proverb meaning "not mistletoe, no luck." It was believed by farmers that if mistletoe was scarce, it would be a tough year. Most of you know that mistletoe is poisonous. The poisonous ingredient is called phoratoxin and is found in all parts of the plant. That includes the berries and is especially concentrated in the leaves. Symptoms of this poison are nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, vomiting, weakness, and seizures. It is a parasite an evergreen pest that attaches to trees, shrubs, and plants. It steals water and nutrients until it weakens and eventually kills the host plant. And, if that isn't bad enough it is also hard to get rid of. Oddly the mistletoe also has medicinal properties and is used for cancer treatment. European varieties have been used for centuries to treat seizures, infertility, headaches, hypertension, and arthritis. In the U.S. mistletoe injections are available only in clinical trials but are available by prescription in Europe. Picture is mine.