Most people associate mistletoe with kissing , as it ’s customary for anyone caught stand under a sprig of this flora ( often strategically localize in a doorway ) to receive a kiss . But did you know that false mistletoe , now considered a Christmas works , was used as a religious symbolisation in pagan rites 100 before the time of Christ ? To the ancient Druids of Britain , it was a sacred symbolization with both magical powers and medicinal properties .
These ancient hoi polloi believed mistletoe could heal disease , make animals and man more fertile , put up protection from witches , and work unspoilt lot . In fact , mistletoe was so hallowed to the Druids that if two enemy meet beneath a tree diagram on which it was growing , they would lie down down their weapons , exchange greeting , and observe a truce until the fall out day !
When the Druids found mistletoe uprise on an oak tree diagram , they used a golden knife to polish off it , taking tutelage that the sacred plant did not touch the ground to protect its special powers . They then sacrificed a white ox to hallow the upshot .
Mistletoe was not allowed in Christian places of worship for many years because of its widespread acceptance in pagan ceremonial occasion . But it is not clear just how it became part of the Christmas vacation time of year .
Mistletoe is the vulgar name for any one of a hundred specie of works from as far away and diverse climates as Australia , South Africa , and Europe . Our traditional American mistletoe ( Phoradenron leucarpum ) is very similar to the European species , ( Viscum album ) , only with shorter and broad leaf , and more berries ( groups of ten or more compared to cluster of two to six berry in the European metal money ) . These species are in the Santalaceae family , one of three mistletoe families , formerly all under the name Viscaceae .
The common name is said to come from the Anglo - Saxon “ Misteltan ” , “ tan ” mean branchlet and “ mistl ” meaning dissimilar . This refers to the fact the plant is different from the twigs it grows on . Another version attributes the name to the Christian Bible “ mistel ” for droppings , referring to the razzing dung of come which scatter the industrial plant . The Latin name of the genus mean “ gummy ” , and refers to the viscous or sticky juice of the Berry .
This slow - growing plant forms a dark-green - lily-livered evergreen shrub that grows two to three feet foresightful , hanging from tree branches . The male and distaff flower of the mistletoe are put up on thick spikes on disjoined plants . The tiny , yellow flower that appear in recent surrender soon give cost increase to the familiar white berry . Theseattract many birdswhich , if flora are in juniper , also eat the juniper berry . This results in denser stand keep going more wildlife .
Mistletoe will parasitize many host , among themapple trees , poplars , linden , willows , and , more seldom , oak tree . Structures call “ haustoria ” sequester it to trees , through which it extracts piss and nutrition from them . A botanic anomaly , it is the only complete plant life deliberate a true parasite for it often kill the hardwood tree it overrun . There is even a legend regarding this .
In Brittany , it is called “ herbe de la croix ” , or herb of the cross . According to the fable , the woods of this flora was used for the Christ Cross , afterward being reduced to a sponger . In the fourteenth century , it was called “ lignum crucis , ” or wood of the cross .
Most American mistletoe is commercially harvest in Texas , Oklahoma , and New Mexico . It grows in the wilderness in the southern states , as far north as West Virginia . The custom of hanging up mistletoe may staunch from the Druid tradition of lay down arms and interchange greetings under mistletoe . Priests would send around early days bear branches of mistletoe in jubilation of the newfangled year . Druids would trip the light fantastic around oaks they found bear false mistletoe . This tradition even is bring up in the writings of Ovid .
So where did kissing under the Viscum album commence ? One legend attributes this practice to the English who , after every kiss , overcharge a berry from the bunch and discarded it . When the berries were gone , custom called for the snuggling to stop . gratuitous to say , plentiful Bunche were eagerly sought for the holidays .
Another caption follow from Scandinavia and is alluded to by Shakespeare . In this caption , Balder , the god of Peace , was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe . His life was restored at the request of other gods and goddess , with the mistletoe being given to the goddess of love to preclude such from happening again . She said that everyone who passed under it should experience a kiss to show this plant was a symbolic representation of love , and not of hate .
Before getting carried away with this symbol of love , be aware that the European mistletoe has been used medicinally for many centuries , and still is . It has been used as a world-wide remedy for most ailments , particularly in Korean and Formosan medicine . In Europe , preparations from it are used for treat malignant neoplastic disease while in the U.S. this role has not been approved . subject area suggest that this plant life may be beneficial for treating HIV , high blood pressure , and diabetes . Research and authorities often disagree on its welfare , and interactions with other product , so it is advised to consult your chemist or doctor before using this industrial plant for other than decoration .
as well , the perniciousness of the plant and berry to humans is consider . Only in rare cases has eating the Berry been reported to harm child , and then usually in heavy window pane . berry have been list as toxic to cats and small beast . If you have such pets or are concerned about children , perhaps you may wish to fall artificial false mistletoe , as I do , for holidays .
MISTLETOE MYTHS AND MEDICINESDr . Leonard Perry , Horticulture Professor EmeritusUniversity of Vermont
