White mistletoe belongs to shrub plants of the mistletoe family. Mistletoe grows on trees, being partly a parasite, as its roots penetrate deep into the wood. Most often, white mistletoe is found on deciduous trees such as oak, acacia, plums, apple trees, pears. Less commonly, mistletoe can be found on coniferous trees such as fir and pine.
Description of the plant
White mistletoe is an evergreen perennial that resembles a shrub in its shape. Outwardly, it looks like a ball, up to twenty centimeters in diameter, consisting of long, woven branches, green, sometimes with a brown tint. They are very fragile. At the tips grow thick, oval five-centimeter leaves with a pale green tint.
White mistletoe blooms in early spring. It has yellow-green flowers. In early autumn, fruits ripen - these are false berries, about one centimeter in diameter, oblong in shape. Mistletoe seeds are carried by birds. Plants quicklygrow, as soon as the seeds penetrate a crack in the bark of a tree, mistletoe grows from there.
Mistletoe has many other names. For its shape, it was nicknamed the witch's nest. Also called oakberry, crossgrass, kissing grass, bird hazel, winterseeds.
How to procure raw materials
Because of its unique properties, mistletoe is used in folk medicine. It is harvested in autumn and winter. At this time, the balls are clearly visible on the crowns of trees. For medicinal purposes, leaves, fresh twigs, berries are harvested: they are simply broken off along with the twigs.
The collected raw materials are dried in a warm place, spread out on paper or on a cloth in a thin layer. You can dry raw materials in special dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees.
The prepared material is stored in bags out of direct sunlight with good ventilation. Harvested mistletoe is stored for no more than two years, but it is better to collect fresh raw materials every year.
The plant is found in central Russia, the Caucasus, in some CIS countries.
Some myths and legends
There are many stories and legends connected with mistletoe. It is considered a magical gift of nature and has always been highly valued. In ancient legends, the plant was called the golden branch. Druids collected raw materials in a special tradition: they cut the twigs with a golden knife or sickle. In their opinion, plants growing on sacred oaks were of particular value. The Druids believed that mistletoe drink was a universal antidote.
AncientIt was believed that the properties of white mistletoe help to resist evil forces, since this plant has a mysterious energy. Amulets were woven from branches to help procreate and give prosperity. The bush is considered a universal lockpick that can open any door.
In the countries of Scandinavia, there was a custom: when meeting enemies under trees where mistletoe grew, it was necessary to lay down their arms. The branches of the plant decorated the doors of houses, which was considered a symbol of peace, protecting the owners from thunder, lightning, evil forces.
The healing properties of mistletoe were described in the writings of Pliny. He described the plant as a way to get rid of epileptic seizures, dizziness. In the Middle Ages, the plant was used to treat wounds, abscesses, ulcers, to stop bleeding.
Chemical composition of shrubs
According to reviews, the medicinal properties and contraindications of white mistletoe must be known, since the wrong dosage can lead to poisoning. This is possible due to the toxic substances included in the composition: the wrong dosage leads to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also, according to reviews, the healing properties of white mistletoe are impressive. This plant contains the alkaloid viscotoxin, which is active in the treatment of cancer pathologies, and also enhances the body's defenses.
Triterpene saponins have a hemolytic effect that can increase hemoglobin.
Choline, vitamins of group B, help in the treatment of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system.
Acetylcholine is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
White mistletoe contains many organic substances such asas gamma-aminobutyric, oleic, linoleic and other acids.
The plant contains histamines, vitamins, terpenoids, alcohols, plant flavonoids, rubber, minerals and other beneficial elements.
How the plant is used in traditional medicine
According to reviews, white mistletoe helps to normalize the work of the heart, to cope with vascular pathologies, including hypertension. This plant copes with atherosclerosis. Means prepared on the basis of raw materials help lower blood pressure, dilate blood vessels, normalize sleep, and improve general condition.
Mistletoe has a positive effect on the nervous system, can reduce excitability. Medicines prepared from the plant help with hysteria, hypochondria, epilepsy, and convulsions.
Mistletoe has a strong hemostatic effect. Because of this property, the plant is used for uterine, pulmonary, gastric bleeding. It can be used externally for the treatment of wounds, abscesses, various types of abscesses. It has an anti-inflammatory effect. Mistletoe ointments help with dermatitis, muscle soreness, sciatica.
Good, according to reviews, white mistletoe for weight loss, as it can improve intestinal motility, has a diuretic property. The plant is also used in the treatment of kidney pathologies, including nephritis.
Mistletoe in folk medicine
Multiple studies have shown that drugs based on mistletoe raw materials help fight malignant cells,prevents the development of metastases. Because of this feature, it is often used in the treatment of neoplasms.
Infusions, decoctions and other folk remedies are used in the treatment of women's diseases. In alternative medicine, freshly squeezed juice is used to help treat infertility. The use of baths with the addition of mistletoe helps to fight hemorrhoids and various pathologies of the genitourinary system.
Knowing the medicinal properties and contraindications of white mistletoe, you can get rid of many diseases. This plant helps fight hyperthyroidism, asthma, headaches, joint pathologies, medicines prepared from it remove parasites, relieve diarrhea, and help get rid of pancreatic diseases.
Contraindications
Misstle white has contraindications, which is why it should be taken with caution. This plant is very toxic, products made from it should not be taken for a long time. When treating mistletoe, it is important to follow the course of therapy and dosage, as it contains toxins that can accumulate in the body, poisoning it. If it is not possible to cope with the pathology in one course, then it is necessary to take a break of several weeks.
Mistletoe should not be used by pregnant women, and also:
- for hypotension;
- for hypothyroidism;
- with liver pathologies.
To know exactly if a plant can be used, you need to consult a doctor, he will help determine the course of treatment and the exact dosage.
Folk recipesmedicine
There are a huge number of different traditional medicine recipes that help to cope with pathologies. For each of them, healers, druids, herbalists use certain dosages and special methods of preparing the medicine. To find out if this dosage and method of treatment is suitable, a specialist should be consulted.
From hypertension
To get rid of hypertension, you need to take two teaspoons of twigs and pour half a liter of boiling water over them. Overnight the remedy is infused. Take two tablespoons in small sips twice a day before meals. The treatment lasts no more than three weeks, then a seven-day break is made and the course is repeated.
In case of circulatory disorders
Fights ten grams of shoots, everything is poured with a glass of boiling water, put on fire. You just need to heat it up for a couple of minutes, then let it stand for half an hour. Take the remedy for violation of bleeding on a tablespoon after meals three times a day.
From prostate adenoma
There are several ways to prepare medicine from mistletoe.
- The leaves of the plant are placed in a seven hundred gram jar and poured with half a liter of vodka. The composition is infused for three weeks, after which it is filtered. Taken twenty drops three times a day.
- A tablespoon of shoots is taken and poured with a glass of alcohol. The remedy is infused for two weeks in a dark place. Periodically, the composition is shaken. After straining, fifteen drops are taken three times a day.
Mistletoe for weight loss
The absence of significant, according to reviews, contraindications of white mistletoe allows you to use the plant to remove toxins, improve metabolism. This plant is used together with linden according to the following scheme:
- First day. Four tablespoons of lime color are taken and poured with a liter of boiling water. The composition is infused for two hours. The resulting decoction is taken throughout the day.
- Day two. Three spoons of mistletoe are brewed and insisted in the same way as linden on the first day.
- Day three. In a liter of water, mistletoe and linden are brewed in equal parts.
- Day four. The infusion is prepared as on the third day and a spoonful of honey is added to it.
- Day five. Two tablespoons of mistletoe, linden are brewed in a liter of water, and the same amount of honey is taken. The juice of one lemon is added to the composition.
Mistletoe should not be taken for weight loss for more than five days. A second course of cleansing is allowed no earlier than a month later.
Methods of making medicine from mistletoe
Mistletoe is used to prepare teas that help raise vitality. To prepare them, you need to brew a teaspoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for ten minutes. Taken in a cup once a week.
To prepare the tincture, a 0.7-liter container is taken, in which mistletoe shoots are placed. They are filled with vodka to the brim. The remedy is infused for three weeks in a dark place. Periodically, the composition is shaken. Before using the composition, it is filtered. Taken for various pathologies, 15-30 drops, 2-3 times a day.
Mistletoe is cookedpowder. It is used for the treatment of gynecological pathologies, in oncology. Before use, the powder is mixed with honey in equal amounts and balls are rolled from the gruel, their size should not be larger than a pea. Take these balls one at a time three times a day (ball weight - no more than two grams).
With mistletoe make lotions, compresses. It helps fight warts, lipomas, treats abscesses, gout. To make medicine, a spoonful of raw materials is taken and brewed with a glass of boiling water. The composition is infused under the lid for an hour, then filtered. They wet gauze, rolled up in several layers. It is applied to a large area for 20-60 minutes twice a day.
Mistletoe douching
With cervical erosion, secretions, you need to take three tablespoons of raw materials and pour them with a liter of water. The composition is boiled over low heat for fifteen minutes, then infused for half an hour. Half a liter of warm boiled water is added to it. Douche with this remedy 1-2 times a day.
Mistletoe sitz baths
For female pathologies, hemorrhoids, sitz baths with mistletoe are recommended. This remedy also helps with heavy menstruation, uterine fibroids, early menopause. To prepare a bath, mistletoe decoction is first made. For him, you need three tablespoons of raw materials, pour a liter of water and cook over low heat for five minutes. Then let the composition brew for twenty minutes, strain. The decoction is poured into a basin with warm water. A sitz bath is taken for fifteen minutes.
White mistletoe is not for nothing called a witch plant, because when overdosedand if taken incorrectly, it can cause severe poisoning. Therefore, it cannot be used uncontrollably, but only on the recommendation and under the supervision of a doctor. Otherwise, recovery can not wait.
