Herb's Introduction
Viscum album L., commonly known as European Mistletoe, is a perennial, hemi-parasitic evergreen shrub belonging to the family Santalaceae (formerly Viscaceae). It grows on the branches of various deciduous trees, such as apple, lime, hawthorn, and poplar, deriving water and nutrients from its host through a specialized structure called a haustorium, while also capable of some photosynthesis. Historically, it has been attributed with magical and mystical properties, particularly when found growing on oak (though this is rare), but its medicinal use spans millennia, noted by figures like Hippocrates. In modern times, extracts of the herb, particularly from the leaves and young twigs, have been extensively studied, especially in Europe, focusing on its potential as an immunomodulator and its use in complementary cancer therapy, as well as its traditional uses for cardiovascular and nervous system disorders.
Name in Different Countries
Scientific Name: Viscum album L. Family: Santalaceae English: Mistletoe, European Mistletoe, Druid's Herb, Devil's Fuge Nepali: Hadchur, Aijeru (The Nepali names are often used for various mistletoe species, including Viscum album and Viscum articulatum). Arabic: دبق أبيض (Dabaq Abyad) Bulgarian: Бял имел (Byal imel) Chinese: 槲寄生 (Hú jì shēng) Danish: Mistelten French: Gui German: Weißbeerige Mistel Japanese: ヤドリギ (Yadorigi) Korean: 겨우살이 (Gyeosusal-i) Persian: داروش اروپایی (Dārūsh-e Orūpā'ī) Polish: Jemioła pospolita Russian: Омела белая (Omela belaya) Spanish (Catalan): Vesc Swedish: Mistel Vietnamese: Ghi trắng
Terminology
Hemi-parasitic: A plant that grows on another plant, deriving some or all of its nutrients from it, but also capable of photosynthesis (unlike a full parasite). Dioecious: Having male and female reproductive organs on separate individual plants. Antispasmodic: Preventing or relieving spasms or convulsions. Nervine: An herb that has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, often soothing or strengthening. Hypotensive: Causing the lowering of blood pressure. Immunomodulator: A substance that helps to regulate or modify the immune system. Cytotoxic: Toxic to cells, often used in the context of selectively killing cancer cells. Viscotoxins and Lectins (e.g., Mistletoe Lectin I, II, III): These are the main biologically active protein components of Viscum album, responsible for much of its therapeutic action, including cytotoxic and immune-stimulating effects.
Availability
Viscum album is widespread across Europe, Southwest Asia, and extends east to Nepal and parts of the Himalayas. It is native to Nepal and found in the temperate biome, at altitudes typically between 1,000 to 2,700 meters, growing on various host trees. Due to its traditional medicinal use, particularly in European countries and parts of Asia, it is commercially available in dried herb form, tinctures, and, most notably, as standardized injectable extracts (like Iscador, Helixor, etc.) used in complementary cancer therapy in Germany and other European nations. In Nepal, it is used by traditional healers and is an important constituent in some herbal formulations.
External Look
Growth Habit: A shrubby, yellowish-green plant, 30–100 cm long, forming dense, spherical masses in the crowns of host trees. It is an evergreen. Stem: Jointed, woody, dichotomously (fork-like) branched, often swollen at the nodes. Leaves: Sessile (without a stalk), opposite in pairs, elliptic to oblanceolate or obovate (oval, wider toward the tip), thick, leathery, 2.5–8 cm long, and a pale yellowish-green color. They typically have 3-5 prominent nerves. Flowers: Inconspicuous, yellowish-green, small (2-3 mm diameter), and typically found in fascicles (small clusters) of 3-5. Fruit (Berry): A globose (spherical) berry, about 1 cm wide, that is characteristically white or yellowish-white, and contains a very sticky, glutinous pulp in which one or a few seeds are embedded. The sticky pulp was historically used to make "birdlime" for trapping birds.
Healing Properties
The herb's main therapeutic properties are attributed to its content of lectins, viscotoxins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and other phenolic compounds. Hypotensive and Cardiotonic: Used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) and slow the heart rate (cardiac depressant), acting as a vasodilator. Nervine and Antispasmodic: Valued for calming the nervous system, used in conditions like epilepsy, hysteria, chorea (St. Vitus Dance), vertigo, and general nervous tension. Immunomodulatory and Cytotoxic: Extracts, particularly fermented injectable forms, are used as a complementary treatment for cancer. They are believed to stimulate the immune system and possess a cytotoxic effect, helping to induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory: Shows properties that help to reduce inflammation. Antioxidant: Contains compounds, especially flavonoids, that scavenge free radicals. Traditional Healing (Nepal/Ayurveda/Unani): Traditionally used as a tonic, diuretic, for muscular pain, joint pain, enlargement of the spleen, in the management of bone fractures, and for uterine hemorrhages.
Advantages
Complementary Cancer Therapy: Its significant use in Europe as an adjuvant treatment for various cancers is a major advantage, potentially improving the quality of life, reducing side effects of conventional therapy (chemotherapy/radiation), and possibly supporting immune function. Cardiovascular Support: Offers a natural means to help manage mild to moderate hypertension and nervous tachycardia (rapid heart rate). Nervous System Calming: Acts as a valuable antispasmodic and nervine for conditions involving spasms, anxiety, and nervous disorders like epilepsy and hysteria. Broad Traditional Application: Its long history of use across many cultures suggests a wide range of beneficial effects on various ailments, from joint and muscular pain to internal organ issues.
Uses
Modern Medicine (Complementary): Injectable extracts are used in certain European countries as an adjuvant therapy for various types of cancer (e.g., breast, stomach, lung, ovarian, colon) and to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients. Herbalism/Traditional Medicine (Internal): Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) and arteriosclerosis. Addressing nervous system disorders such as epilepsy, fits, hysteria, and headaches. Used as a diuretic, cardiac tonic, and tonic for general weakness. Historically used for female ailments including uterine hemorrhages, amenorrhea (cessation of menstruation), and dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). In Nepal, the plant paste is traditionally applied to treat muscular swelling, sprains, and setting fractured/dislocated bones. The berries are used as a laxative, tonic, and aphrodisiac. External Uses: Applied topically as a poultice or paste for muscular pain, joint pain, wounds, boils, arthritis, rheumatism, and leg ulcers.
Using way
Important Caution: Raw mistletoe leaves, branches, and berries are toxic and should not be ingested whole or prepared without expert guidance, as they contain poisonous substances (lectins, viscotoxins). Internal use should be strictly supervised by a qualified practitioner. Decoction/Infusion (Herbalist Use): The dried leaves and young twigs are typically used to prepare an infusion or decoction for internal use, such as for hypertension or nervous conditions. The herb should be stored in an airtight container after drying, as its properties degrade upon exposure to air. Tinctures: Alcoholic extracts are also prepared from the leafy twigs. Injectable Extracts (Modern/Complementary Therapy): Standardized, fermented, and purified aqueous extracts (like Iscador or Helixor) are primarily administered via subcutaneous injection in a clinical setting for cancer therapy. This form of administration is highly specialized and must be prescribed and monitored by a physician. Topical Application (Traditional Use): A paste or poultice made from the whole plant, bark, or leaves is applied externally for muscular pain, joint pain, fractures, and sprains, particularly in traditional Nepali healing practices.
Conclusion
Viscum album L., the European Mistletoe, is a fascinating and medically significant hemi-parasitic plant with a long and diverse history of use. Its traditional role as a powerful nervine and hypotensive agent for conditions like epilepsy and high blood pressure has been largely supported by modern research into its active compounds, such as viscotoxins and lectins. Its most prominent current use, however, is as a leading complementary treatment for cancer in Europe, where standardized injectable extracts are utilized for their immunomodulatory and quality-of-life-enhancing effects. The herb's presence in Nepal, locally known as Hadchur or Aijeru, underscores its importance in indigenous medicine for a variety of ailments, including musculoskeletal issues. While its potential is great, especially in supporting immune health and addressing chronic diseases, its inherent toxicity necessitates that any internal use be undertaken with extreme caution and under the strict guidance of experienced medical or herbal professionals.
