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NAME : MISTLETOE
GAELIC NAME :
LATIN NAME : Viscum album.
COMMON / FOLK NAMES : All-Heal
Birdlime
Devil's Fuge
Donnerbesen
Golden Bough
Holy Wood
Lignam Sanctae Crucis
Misseltoe
Thunderbesem
Witches Broom
Wood of
the Cross
MEDICINAL PART : Plant
Berries
PLACES OF ORIGIN : Ireland
Europe
Northern Asia
HABITAT : Found growing
on mature trees.
DESCRIPTION : European Mistletoe is an evergreen, semi-parasitic plant found
on the branches of deciduous trees. Roots growing from the yellow-green, forked stem
penetrate through the bark into the wood of the host. The leaves are opposite, leathery,
yellow-green, and normally obovate.
FLOWERING PERIODS : Pale yellow or green flowers appear from March to May, the
female developing into sticky white berries which ripen from September to November.
PROPERTIES : Cardiac
Diuretic
Stimulant
Vasodilator
USES : European Mistletoe acts on the circulatory system, first raising blood
pressure and then lowering it below the initial level and speeding up the pulse. At times
in the past, it has been used for arteriosclerosis. It also
stimulates glandular activity related to digestion, relieving many diverse problems
traceable to faulty digestive processes. The tea can be used as a wash for chilblains and
leg ulcers and made into a compress for varicose
veins.
CAUTION -: Large doses have a
detrimental effect on heart action. Also, eating the berries can be dangerous, especially
for children.
Preparation : Use with care, preferably under medical direction.
MAGICAL PROPERTIES
GENDER : Masculine.
PLANET : Sun.
ELEMENT : Air.
POWERS : Protection
Love
Hunting
Fertility
Health
Exorcism
RITUAL USES
As is well known, the druids revered the mistletoe, especially when found growing on an
oak. It was (and still is) cut on Midsummer's day, or else when the Moon is six days old.
One stroke of a gold sickle was used to cut the herb, and it wasn't allowed to touch the
ground.
Call on Brigit when using for health and fertility
Call on Flidais when using for passion and lust, also for hunting
Call on Macha for fertile crops and livestock
Call on Aengus Mac Óg for love rituals
Call on Dagda and Manannan for protection and exorcism.
MAGICAL USES
Long used for protection against lightning, disease, misfortune of every kind, fires and
so on, it is carried or placed in an appropriate spot for these uses. The leaves and
berries are used. Mistletoe is placed in cradles to protect children from being stolen by
fairies and replaced with changelings.
A ring carved of mistletoe wood will ward off sicknesses when worn and the plant will cure
fresh wounds quickly when carried (do not apply to the wound).
Mistletoe is also carried or worn for good luck in hunting, and women carry the herb to
aid in conception. It has also been utilised in spells designed to capture that elusive
state of immortality, and to open locks.
Laid near the bedroom door, mistletoe gives restful sleep and beautiful dreams, as it does
when placed beneath the pillow or hung at the headboard.
Kiss your love beneath mistletoe and you'll stay in love. Burned, mistletoe banishes evil.
Wear it around your neck to attain invisibility. Mistletoe is an all-purpose herb.
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Last Updated -
August 3, 2023
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