Mistletoe
Not to be a scrooge, but at this time of the year it’s worthwhile to review the safety of mistletoe.
Mistletoe is the common name for a group of hemi-parasitic plants that grow attached to and within the branches of a shrub or a tree such as apple, oak, and elm.
- Wikipedia has more information about the lifecycle of mistletoe.
- It has been used since ancient times to treat many ailments
- Mistletoe was used by the Druids and the ancient Greeks, and appears in legend and folklore as a panacea or “cure-all”.
- Modern interest in mistletoe as a possible treatment for cancer began in the 1920s.
- Extracts of mistletoe have been shown to kill cancer cells
Now, the cautions as listed by the National Cancer Institute.
Mistletoe extract
- Very few bad side effects have been reported from the use of mistletoe extract products.
- Common side effects include soreness and inflammation at injection sites, headache, fever, and chills.
- A few cases of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported.
Mistletoe plants and berries
- They are poisonous to humans.
- Side effects caused by eating mistletoe plants and berries include seizures, slowing of the heart rate, abnormal blood pressure, vomiting, and death.
- The severity of the side effect depends on the amount and the type of mistletoe plant eaten.
The bottom line?
Have a merry Christmas and happy holiday.
12/23/08 21:04 JR