Mistletoe Tea: Learn the Benefits of Mistletoe Tea
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, meaning it does not receive nourishment from the soil but from a host plant. It grows within the branches of shrubs or trees (a wide variety) and draws water and mineral nutrients from them. If the host plant becomes heavily infested with mistletoe, the shrub or tree can die.
An old Christian myth says the mistletoe was once a tree that was used to make the Cross and after Jesus was crucified, it shriveled in shame and became a vine.
Benefits of Mistletoe Tea
Constituents of mistletoe include amines (including acetylcholine and GABA), antioxidant flavonoids (including quercitin), terpenoids, caffeic and myristic acids, tannins, and mucilage.
For centuries, mistletoe has been used as a nearly all-purpose remedy. French herbalists, in the 17th century, prescribed it for nervous disorders, spasms (St. Vitus dance), and epilepsy. In folk medicine, mistletoe tea has been used to treat amenorrhea, bed wetting, asthma, arthritis, infection, and hysteria.
Throughout Europe, herbalists use mistletoe tea to treat symptoms of high blood pressure, including headaches and dizziness.
Mistletoe is also used (as an injection) in Europe to treat cancer. It is unknown at this time if mistletoe tea has an anti-cancer effect.
Improving blood circulation, treating respiratory problems like whooping cough, easing anxiety, promoting sleep, improving concentration, and relieving symptoms associated with menopause and premenstrual syndrome are said to be other benefits of mistletoe tea.
Precautions
All parts of the mistletoe plant (raw and unprocessed) are toxic and can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, weakness, drowsiness, decreased heart rate, seizures, and even death.
It is recommended you use mistletoe under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.
Children under the age of 18, women who are pregnant, and women who are breastfeeding should not drink mistletoe tea.
Disclaimer
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