By Kayode Oseni
This is one herb that though can be found in nearly all continents of the world, its properties differ in accordance to the clime in which it grows. But wherever it grows, it gives the particular healing properties the people living in that clime needs.
Thus mistletoe from Asia may not be very appropriate for the Germans, just as mistletoe from America may not do much for the Africans.
Mistletoe is a parasitic evergreen plant that lives on trees such as oaks, elms, firs, pines, guavas, mangoes, and cashew trees. The parasitic plant has yellowish flowers; small, yellowish green leaves; and waxy, white berries.
There are many species of this plant in the Viscacea and Loranthacea plant families. European mistletoe (Viscum album) and American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) are used as medical remedies. In addition to Europe and North America, mistletoe is also found in Africa, Australia and Korea.
In Nigeria this parasitic plant is found thriving on trees like Mango, Guava, Orange, and even Moringa trees. It is called “AFOMO ONISANO” among the Yoruba people.
It is generally believed in Herbalist Parlance that the particular tree from which the mistletoe herb is taken gives it some peculiar quality. For example, mistletoe from a palm tree is better as a tonic, while that harvested from orange tree is a better as an immune booster, and that from the guava tree is very good for calming the nerves.
Perhaps the most beautiful thing about this herb is its ability to take into itself some of the essences of the parent plant on which it grows and add something of its own essence unto it, thereby making it a herb of many uses.
Mistletoe As Remedy:
Mistletoe tea may be taken to bring down high blood pressure, bring about bronchiodilation to ease asthma, for epilepsy, nervousness, diarrhea , hysteria, whooping cough, amenorrhea, vertiginous attacks, and inflammatory disorders.
The tea is prepared by adding 1 teaspoon of finely cut mistletoe to 1 cup (150 ml) of cold water. The solution is steeped at room temperature for about twelve hours (preferably overnight) and then strained. Two cups of hot water is added to the soaked mixture after twelve hours and it is ready to take. Up to ten cups of the tea may be consumed throughout the day, at an interval of every hour.
Mistletoe Wine :
Mistletoe wine is prepared by mixing eight tablespoons (about 40 g) of the herb into one litre of wine. Leave the preparation in a dark place for five days, shaking the bottle vigorously twice daily. After five days, the wine is ready for use. One small glass (40 ml size), twice daily of the medicinal wine consumed each day serves as a powerful immune booster and general tonic
MISTLETOE is a great herb that prevents cancer, attacks any tumour, strengthens the immune system, and removes free radicals from the body.
It is however necessary to take precautions on starting to use mistletoe. If you are already on medications for bringing down high blood pressure, it might not be wise to combine them with mistletoe as the herb can potentiate the actions of the medications and thus make the blood pressure drop abruptly. This is also applicable for those on medications for managing diabetes.
– Prof Kayode Oseni is a Faculty member of African American University, Porto Novo, Benin Republic.
