Mistletoe (Viscum album)

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	Mistletoe (Viscum album)

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	Mistletoe is also known by the names European Mistletoe, Birdlime, Birdlime Mistletoe, Golden Bough, and Goldenbough. American Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) is similar to European Mistletoe (Viscum album), but has not been widely studied, and therefore should not be substituted for European Mistletoe until more information is available. Combined with Valerian Root and Vervain in equal parts, it makes an excellent nerving tonic and has been used historically exhaustion and nervousness. Toxicity is possible, so caution is advised regarding self-treatment.

Mistletoe (Viscum album) can help with the following:

Circulation

Atherosclerosis

Hypertension

Mistletoe is known to relieve pain from headaches caused by high blood pressure. Mistletoe reduces the heart rate, and at the same time strengthens the capillary walls. Its cardiotonic action is thought to be due to the lignans, while the hypotensive action is believed to be due to a choline derivative related to acetylcholine. Choline derivatives bring about parasympathetic stimulation and vasodilatation.

AIDS / Risk

A German study examined the use of Iscador, a mistletoe extract, in 40 HIV-positive patients with less than 200 T4 cells/ml. Patients injected themselves subcutaneously with 0.01mg to 10mg of Iscador twice per week for eighteen weeks. The only toxicities were transient fever on the day of injection and soreness at the injection site. The researchers of this small, unblinded and unreviewed study reported that 28 of the 36 patients (77%) had increases in T4 levels of greater than 20%. Iscador should only be administered under the supervision of a doctor familiar with its use. [Gorter R, et al. Abstract PO-B28-2167. IX International Conference on AIDS. Berlin. June 1993]

Nervous System

Neuritis/Neuropathy

Mistletoe has a history of use in the treatment of neuritis, an inflammatory condition of the nerves or nerve sheath resulting in shooting or other pains throughout the body. It has been used for those with vertigo attacks and "pins and needles" sensations in the limbs.

Organ Health

Diabetes Type II

Test tube and animal studies suggest that European Mistletoe extracts can stimulate insulin secretion from pancreas cells, and may improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Given both Mistletoe’s tradition around the world for helping people with diabetes, and these promising pre-clinical results, human clinical trials are certainly needed to establish Mistletoe’s potential for this condition.

KEY

		May do some good
		Likely to help