Mystical Mistletoe
Most people are familiar with the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmastime, but have you ever wondered why this little evergreen plays such a significant role at this time of year? In fact, this is just one of many customs involving mistletoe. Traditions that include mistletoe are found throughout history and date back as far as ancient Greece. Today, we will examine the physical attributes and growth habits of mistletoe and, more interestingly, its mystical place in the folklore and medicine of many different cultures.
Mistletoe is the common name for a number of plants in the order Santalales. The name “mistletoe” is typically applied to Viscum album, European Mistletoe, and Phoradendron leucarpum, American Mistletoe. Both of these species are considered partial parasites, or hemiparasites. It is because mistletoe is capable of producing its own food through photosynthesis that it is therefore considered a hemiparasite. The plant grows on the branches or trunk of a tree and sends out roots that penetrate the tree and take up nutrients. Mistletoe has developed a very specialized tissue with the shape of a bell, called a haustorium that grows into the host and combines with the living tree. It’s possible for mistletoe to kill its host plant, but such an occurrence is uncommon since the mistletoe itself would also die. It mainly depletes the host of water and could therefore severely harm the tree during a drought. While often considered a pest that only causes damage, mistletoe has recently been recognized for its ecological benefits, in that it provides food and shelter for a variety of animals such as Northern Spotted Owls, Marbled Murrelets, Diamond Firetails, and Painted Honeyeaters. More than 240 species of birds that nest in foliage in Australia have been recorded nesting in mistletoe, which demonstrates that mistletoe can have a positive effect on biodiversity.
European Mistletoe has evergreen, smooth-edged oval leaves in pairs along a woody stem with waxy white berries in dense clusters of 2-6 together. It is usually seen on apple trees and occasionally on oak trees. American Mistletoe is similar but has shorter, broader leaves and longer clusters of ten or more berries together. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions from New Jersey to Florida. The flowers of both species vary from bright red to yellow to green.
The origin of the word “mistletoe” is uncertain, but it most likely originated in the second century from the Anglo-Saxon language. “Mistel” means “dung” and “tan” which is the word for “twig.” Mistletan is the Old English version of mistletoe. The name indicates that mistletoe was named after bird droppings on a branch. It wasn’t until the sixteenth century that botanists discovered that the bird droppings actually contained the seeds of the mistletoe plant. Birds typically spread the seed of this plant by either eating the berries and excreting the seeds onto branches or squeezing the berry in their bills and wiping the seed on a branch. The sticky gum coating on the seed helps it adhere to the host plant. It can be grown by essentially doing what the birds do--rub the berries on the bark of the underside of the branches of trees until they adhere or by inserting them into clefts made for the purpose. Within six weeks, the mistletoe plant begins to grow, although it takes five years for it to flower.
Mistletoe has long been thought to possess medicinal as well as magical properties. It has been used for centuries to treat medical conditions such as epilepsy, hypertension, headaches, menopausal symptoms, infertility, arthritis, and rheumatism. In Sweden, someone with epilepsy might carry a knife having a handle of mistletoe to ward off attacks. Mistletoe is used mainly in Europe and Asia, where products are made and sold under brand names including Iscador, Eurixor, and Helixor. Mistletoe products are not sold in the United States.
Mistletoe appears in legend and folklore as a "cure-all" and interest in mistletoe as a possible treatment for cancer began in the 1920s. The National Cancer Institute reports that Mistletoe extract is being studied as a possible anticancer agent because it has been shown to boost the immune system, kill cancer cells in the laboratory, and protect the DNA in white blood cells, including cells that have been exposed to DNA-damaging chemotherapy drugs. However, clinical trials using mistletoe to treat cancer have been done in Europe with unclear results. Although many of these trials have reported mistletoe to be effective, there are major weaknesses in almost all that raise doubts about their findings. Even though mistletoe extracts appear to be safe, mistletoe plants and berries are toxic to humans. Side effects caused by eating mistletoe plants and berries include seizures, slowing of the heart rate, abnormal blood pressure, vomiting, and death. These toxic effects may be more or less severe depending on the amount and type of mistletoe plant eaten, but if you have pets or children around, be sure it is out of their reach.
From the earliest times, mistletoe has been one of the most magical, mysterious, and sacred plants of European folklore. Some believed that mistletoe first became poisonous because it was growing on a tree that was used to make the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Because of this, it was cursed and denied a place to grow on earth and forced to be a parasite. In the Middle Ages and later, branches of mistletoe were hung from ceilings to ward off evil spirits. In Europe they were placed over house and stable doors to prevent the entrance of witches. When hung in the home, it symbolized purity and strength and promoted happiness, romance, and peace. In fact, custom called for enemies meeting beneath the mistletoe to throw down their weapons and embrace. In some parts of England, the Christmas mistletoe is burned on the twelfth night lest all the boys and girls who have kissed under it never marry. Some believe it can ward off demons, and protect those who wear it from fits, fever, tremors, and poison, even though the plant itself is poisonous. Surprisingly, in parts of England and Wales, farmers once gave the Christmas mistletoe to the first cow that calved in the New Year to bring luck to the entire herd. This tradition suggests that cows are either immune to the poison or are able to handle it in small doses.
The ancient Celtic Druids greatly revered the plant especially when it was found growing on an oak tree, another plant they considered sacred. The mistletoe was ceremoniously cut with a golden sickle by a Celtic priest and caught on a white cloth so as to avoid touching the ground. This ceremony coincided with the winter solstice and thus began the winter celebration. They believed mistletoe could provide fertility to humans and animals, cure diseases, and protect people from witchcraft. The Druids also believed that mistletoe protected its possessor from all evil, and they sent round their attendant youth with branches to announce the entrance of the New Year. This may be the origin of the tradition of decorating with mistletoe at Christmastime.
A possible source for the custom of kissing beneath the mistletoe is the Scandinavian story of the slaying and resurrection of Balder, the god of peace. He was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe and brought back to life by his mother Frigga, the goddess of love. She removed the mistletoe’s poison with her tears. When Balder came back to life she kissed everyone who passed underneath the mistletoe out of happiness and gratitude. Thereafter, it was ordained that everyone who passed under the mistletoe should receive a kiss to show that the branch had become an emblem of love, and not of hate.
Mistletoe has a long and colorful history, making it much more than a piece of decorative shrubbery. Next time you encounter this mystical plant you might think about its many uses. And for those who wish to observe the proper etiquette involving mistletoe at Christmastime -- a man should pluck a berry when he kisses a woman under the mistletoe, and when the last berry is gone, there should be no more kissing!
Written by members of the Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners
posted 3/1/07