Transcript European Mistletoe

HI MY NAME IS:
Mistletoe
Viscum album
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Hemi-parasite (partially parasite)
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Grows on the branches of Deciduous
trees, raw plant is extremely poisonous
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Located in Europe, Asia and North Africa
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A Perennial plant (lives year after year)
General Characteristics
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Yellowish, smooth stem
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Tongue-shaped leaves
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Small yellow flowers
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Smooth, white berries are produced from
Oct. - Dec., they ripen in December
History Of Mistletoe
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Has been one of the most magical,
mysterious and sacred of all the
European plants
Associated with Celtic rituals & Greek
festivals
The tradition of kissing under the
mistletoe was first associated with
primitive marriage rights due to its
believed power of fertility
Components in Mistletoe
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Viscotoxins- small proteins that stimulate
immune system activity
Alkaloids- Nitrogen containing cells,
mistletoe alkaloids also have anti-cancer
activity
Lectins- complex molecules that contain
both proteins & sugars and are capable
of combining to immune system cells
Medicinal Uses
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Cancer drug (shown to increase survival
time by 40% in Germany)
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Is used to treat seizures and headaches,
along with other conditions
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Is also used in cases of epilepsy
Quick Facts
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In some parts of England mistletoe is
burned in case the young men and women
who kissed under it should never marry
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The word mistletoe comes from AngloSaxon, it means “Dung-on-a-twig”
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Sacred plant of Frigga, or Freya, the Norse
Goddess of Love
Gods
Celtic Druids
Bibliography
• www.Botanical.com
• www.forestpathology.com
• http://gardenline.usask.ca/misc/mistleto.html
• http://healthyherbs.about.com/cs/herbfaqs/a/aa0306
03.htm