Mistletoe is referred to as a semi-parasitic plant. It grows often on trees and has been utilized in medicinal practices for centuries. There are different varieties of mistletoe. It is important to realize that there is only type of mistletoe that is used for medicinal purposes and that is European mistletoe. American mistletoe is considered too toxic with very little medicinal qualities.
All mistletoe is toxic to a certain degree. It should never be taken in a raw or natural state. In fact, it is supposed to be heavily diluted as is other homeopathic remedies. By diluting the plant there is only a trace of the beneficial properties left. This reduces or erases the chance of poisoning.
The homeopathic method deals with system of similarities. This means that the affect the plant or herb has on a healthy body is usually the opposite affect it has on a person who is suffering from an ailment. Here is an example:
• Mistletoe, when a healthy person ingests too much of it, produces side effects such as vomiting, seizures, a slowed heart rate, and aches.
• On the other hand in homeopathic medicine it is used to effectively treat seizures, aches, pain, high blood pressure and nausea.
Currently amounts of mistletoe extracts are present in various medications. Most people that use it are not even aware of it. Recently, in Europe, testing and research studies are being conducted on the benefits of mistletoe in the treatment of cancer. The extracts are usually given in shots to kill cancer cells and positive data in being collected during these sessions. Of course more research is needed.
So, the next time you think of mistletoe only as a holiday decoration, you’ll remember that it has actually been used in many civilizations as natural medicine for centuries. Just be sure to remember never to eat mistletoe as it is highly toxic in its natural form.
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