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Herbs |
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Herb name: Common mistletoe, Viscum album Family: Loranthaceae Useful plant parts: Leaves together with the branches Description: Mistletoe is a bicameral and evergreen medicinal herb that grows on deciduous trees, and it can therefore be relatively easily recognized, and because of the fact that there aren't many other plants which this herb could be confused with. Bark and leaves of the common mistletoe are greenish-yellow colored. Mistletoe has relatively small yellow flowers, which grow on the tops of branches.
Collecting period and locations: Mistletoe is usually collected in the spring, during March and April. The tops of branches are gathered together with the leaves, and are dried and then cut into small pieces. Concerning the locations where mistletoe can be found, it grows in most deciduous forests, where they can easily be spotted during autumn and winter because of the evergreen nature of this medicinal herb. Medicinal properties and applications: One of the best known properties of mistletoe is the reduction of blood pressure. It is also often taken in combination with hawthorn for the purpose of strengthening the heart, especially in the case of elderly people. There are also claims that the mistletoe has the potential to treat certain cancer types, but these claims still wait for more concrete scientific evidence.
Active compounds: Viscotoxins, choline, acetylcholine, flavonoids, histamine and mucilage. Recipe: Tea from mistletoe can be prepared by adding two full teaspoons of dried mistletoe to a quarter liter of cold water. The tea is than left for about 12 hours. After that time, the tea can be strained and can be drinked. Usually two cups are taken per day.
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