Misteltoe: Not Just for Kissing

by Pina LoGiudice ND, LAc and Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc (www.InnerSourceHealth.com)

People like to kiss under it, but does it have any other use besides romance? In European folklore, it is considered to promote life and fertility, give protection against poison, and was considered an aphrodisiac.

Used initially to stop postpartum bleeding, contemporary medicinal use revolves around it properties for cancer and blood pressure(1). In cancer care, miseltoe seems to be able to enhance macrophage and immune natural killer cell activity(2). An analysis of 19 studies have found it useful to improve quality life in a numer of patients with cancer(3).

Animal studies in cancer have shown some promising results, although some human studies in patients with lymphoma showed no difference from those not using this herb(4).

Miseltoe does have a toxicity, although review study of ingestions concluded that eating one to three berries to be of no toxicity (5). Nevertheless, is best not used when other more effective treatments are available, and should only be used under supervision.

ref:
1.Mitchell W. Plant Medicine in Practice. Churhcill Livingstone. 2005:58,78
2.Hajto T. et al. Oncology 1986; 43(2):93-97
3.Melzer J et al.European Journal of Integrative Medicine Nov 2008;1,1:10-11
4.Aschuler L. Def. Guide to Cancer. Celestial Arts 2007:362
5. Hall AH. Ann Emerg Med. 1986 Nov;15(11):1320-3.