Family Name: Loranthaceae
Botanical Name(s): Phoradendron Flavescens
Popular Name(s): American Mistletoe, Golden Bough, False
Mistletoe, Birdlime
Parts Used: Leaves.
Habitat: Mistletoe is found from Portugal to Iran and from
Scandinavia to Sicily.
Description: This is a parasitic evergreen shrub. The branching
woody stem is swollen at the nodes and bears opposite, leathery,
yellowish green leaves which are hairy when young but glabrous at
maturity. Small whitish flowers appear in May- July followed by white
berries in December.
Uses: In classical herbal medicine mistletoe is used to support
treatment of hypertension and in Osteo-arthritis. Together with
blackthorn, it is used to strengthen the "tired" and weakened
heart. It is also used for attacks of dizziness, epileptic states and in
cancer therapy.
