Mistletoe is a potent, potentially toxic medicine that should not be used without the direct supervision of a trained professional.

uring the Middle-ages, Mistletoe was used medicinally for a number of complaints; migraine, vertigo, gangrene, slow digestion, menstrual problems, childbirth, as a nerve tonic, as a liniment in stiffness, as a remedy for poison and in cases of fits or what we now know to be epilepsy. Much of the magical folk uses of the herb is a direct reflection of its medicinal properties and uses throughout the ages. The earliest written records we have of its use date back to two English books, the 16th century work by William Turner (1510/1515 - 1568) Herbal in three parts and Nicholas Culpeper's 1653 book, The Complete Herbal. Culpeper says that;

        "…both the leaves and berries of Misselto do heat and dry, and are of subtle parts; the birdlime doth molify hard knots, tumors and imposthumes (cysts); ripens and discusses them, drawing forth thick as well as thin humors from the remote parts of the body, digesting and separating them. And being mixed with equal parts of rozin and wax, doth molify the hardness of the spleen, and helps old ulcers and sores. Being mixed with Sandaric¹ and Orpiment², it helps draw off foul nails; and if quick-limes and wine ³ be added thereunto, it works the stronger. The Misselto itself of the oak, made into powder, and given in drink to those that have falling sickness,⁴ does assuredly heal them, as Matthiolus⁵ saith; but it is fit to use it for 40 days together. Some have so have so highly esteemed it for the virtues thereof, that they have called it Lignum Santi & Crucis, Wood of the Holy Cross,⁶ believing it helps the falling sickness, apoplexy⁷ and palsy⁸ very speedily, not only to be inwardly taken, but to be hung at their neck. Tragus⁹ saith, that the fresh wood of any mistletoe bruised, and the juice drawn forth and dropped in the ears that have imposthumes in them, doth help and ease them within a few days."

       Though European Mistletoe (Viscum album) is seeing more research especially for Cancer and Aids treatment, American and African varieties also have a history of medical use. As I've said before and I'll say it again, this plant has potential toxicity even in small doses, there can be significant drug interaction and contraindications. You will notice that the applications listed below include some of the side effects caused by misuse, with this plant dosage and monitoring are crucial in preventing overdose and iatrogenic¹⁰ illness.

Drug interactions:
Cardiac drugs, immunosupressants,¹¹ hypotensives, hypertensives, anti-depressants, anti-coagulants, coagulants. It may interfere or antagonize anti-arrhythmic drugs. Due to the diuretic action of this herb the following drug interactions are possible; increased risk of toxicity with anti-inflammatory analgesics; if the diuretic action causes decreased levels of potassium in the blood to drop too low it can antagonize anti-diabetic drugs, increase the strength of muscle relaxants, interfere with hypertensives, potentiate lithium therapy. Due to its anti-hypertensive effects when taken in conjunction with anesthetics dangerous drops in blood pressure are possible.

Possible side effects (adverse and/or overdose effects)
Allergic reactions, convulsions, diarrhea, hallucinations, slowing of the heart, nausea, poisoning, vomiting. Effects related to ingestion by mouth; chills, fever, headache, symptoms of angina (heart pain), fainting. Effects related to subcutaneous injections; local inflammation.

European American folk use of American Mistletoe
American Mistletoe (Phoradendron sps.)
Parts used; leaves
Applications: Most often used as an emetic and nervine. In early American folk medicine it was used for cholera, epilepsy, convulsions, hysteria, delirium, heart problems and nervous debility.

Native American use of American Mistletoe
(Mesquite Mistletoe, Juniper Mistletoe, American Mistletoe)

Mesquite Mistletoe; Phoradendron californicum (Southwestern Arizona, S Utah, S. Texas)
Leafless twiggy stems in large clusters, pink berries, found on Mesquite and other pea family shrubs.
Used by the Pima as a cathartic, a dermatological aid and for gastrointestinal troubles.
 
 
American Mistletoe; Phoradendron flavescens and Phoradendron serotinum (same plant)
Thick-branched perennial, leaves oblong to ovate up to 3 inches long, small white flowers, white translucent berries. Found from New Jersey to Florida, north into Ohio and Minnesota, the state flower of Oklahoma.
Used by the Creek as a pulmonary aid and a Tuberculosis remedy; by the Houma as a panacea; by the Hawaiisu as an abortifacient, and an anti-rheumatic; by the Medecino as an abortifacient, toothache remedy, poison. By the Pomo as an abortifacient; by the Cherokee as an analgesic, anti-convulsive, gynecological aid, hypotensive, and love medicine.

Juniper Mistletoe; Phoradendron juniperium
Shinny green leafless stems in clusters, small white berries on stem tips. Found in the American Southwest on branches of Cedar and Juniper.
The Navaho once used the berries as food in times of scarcity. They also made a boiled mixture of Piñon sprigs and Mistletoe to make a lotion they used against ant and other insect bites. They, along with the Ramah people used it as a gastrointestinal aid; the Hopi used it as a gastrointestinal aid, and as witchcraft medicine (use not specified); the Zuni used it as a gynecological aid and a hemostat.