5 Surprising Facts About Mistletoe That Don’t Include Kissing
The first image that comes to mind when we think of mistletoe is usually a seasonal holiday decoration, a sprig of green hanging in a doorway as a playful prompt for a kiss. Mistletoe is so associated with seasonal romance that any other identities are usually completely overlooked. Beyond the holiday parties, mistletoe has a complex and fascinating history with deep roots in ancient medicine and a controversial role in modern science.
Here I’m exploring the most surprising facts about this well-known but little-understood plant. Mistletoe and its history are far more complicated than a holiday tradition.
1. It’s a Widely Prescribed (But Controversial) Cancer Therapy in Europe
One of the most significant modern uses for mistletoe has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with oncology. Mistletoe extracts are the most frequently prescribed alternative cancer therapies in Germany and other European countries, where they have been sold as prescription drugs since the 1920s. In contrast, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved mistletoe as a treatment for any condition.
Peer-reviewed articles indicate that the proposed mechanisms are free radical-scavenging antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory compounds that may stimulate the immune system. These compounds have been shown to kill cancer cells in laboratory settings. However, the research is far from conclusive. A balanced perspective on the current state of research is crucial:
"Unfortunately, though, almost all studies have had at least one major weakness that has made researchers question their reliability."
Even though the direct effect on cancer remains debated, some evidence suggests it can improve the quality of life for patients. A 2020 systematic review found that mistletoe extracts produce a significant, medium-sized effect on quality of life in cancer patients by reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. It is still considered an unproven treatment in the United States pending further rigorous research.
2. Its Name Has a Rather Un-Romantic Origin
The word "mistletoe" sounds quaint and festive, but it is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "mistel" (dung) and "tan" (twig). These words combined to form "misteltan" (dung twig) which eventually morphed into the modern "mistletoe."
This rather unflattering name came about from a simple observation. Ancient peoples noticed that the plant often sprouted on tree branches where birds had left droppings, linking the spread of the seeds to the birds that consumed its berries.
3. The Mistletoe You Kiss Isn't the Mistletoe That Heals
While we often refer to "mistletoe" as if it were a single plant, there are actually more than 100 different species, each with different properties. The species hung in your doorway is probably not the same one used in medicinal preparations.
The species commonly used for Christmas decorations in the United States is American mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens). The species that has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine and is the subject of modern cancer research is European mistletoe (Viscum album). Other medicinal species have specialized uses; for example, Loranthus ferrugineus has been traditionally used to treat high blood pressure, while Japanese mistletoe (Taxillus yadoriki Danser) is studied for its antioxidant properties.
4. It’s a "Frenemy" to Trees and a Friend to Birds
Mistletoe is widely known to damage any tree on which it grows, and for good reason. It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it latches onto a host tree, burrows into its branches, and draws water and nutrients from it. A heavy infestation can weaken, damage, and eventually kill tree branches or even the entire host.
Strangely enough, this hemiparasite plays a beneficial role in its ecosystem. It provides an essential food source for many birds, which are attracted to its berries during the cold winter months. It provides excellent shelter and nesting sites in its dense, bushy clusters, which are sometimes called "witches' brooms". Some studies have found that forests with abundant mistletoe host a greater number of birds, including owls, robins, chickadees, bluebirds, and mourning doves.
5. Ancient Cultures Called It "All-Heal"
Long before modern scientific investigation, mistletoe had a revered place in traditional medicine. One theory is that the name "mistletoe" is also derived from the Celtic word for "all-heal". Ancient cultures usually created healing infusions or tinctures from the plant. Salves were used for skin problems such as sores and ulcers. It was used to treat a wide range of ailments, including nervousness, anxiety, convulsions, neuralgia, urinary disorders, heart disease, and fevers. Mistletoe held ceremonial importance for the ancient Celts and Germans, who believed it possessed mystical powers that could ward off evil spirits and promote fertility.
In Conclusion
Mistletoe is a plant of contrasts. It is a symbol of holiday romance with a decidedly unglamorous name. It is a destructive parasite that is vital to its ecosystem, and an ancient "all-heal" remedy that is now a subject of intense and controversial modern scientific debate. It is a festive decoration hanging in our homes and is a reminder that even the most familiar things can hold complex secrets.