Interesting facts

The medicinal use of mistletoe can be traced back to the fifth century BC In the first century AD Pliny reported the use of mistletoe for falling sickness and dizziness. This knowledge was passed on by Hieronymus Bock (1498-1554) and P.A. Matthiolus (1501-1577) who added the use of mistletoe ointments for sores and festering wounds. Pastor Kneipp staunched the flow of blood with mistletoe and treated disturbances of the circulation.

In the ancient myths mistletoe was revered like a sacred object. A person in possession of it could relieve pain, heal the sick, find treasures and all his wishes were fulfilled. It is therefore not surprising that, in ancient illustrations, we find gods, medicine men, priests, generals and kings depicted holding mistletoe branches in their hands. It is easy to imagine how mistletoe acquired this special reputation when we think of the strange manner in which mistletoe crowns the treetops in our part of the world. In the past people thought that the gods had scattered the mistletoe seeds over the trees.

In winter, at the time of the waxing moon, the Druid priests of the Celts went into the woods to the mistletoe-bearing oaks to perform their prayers and sacrifices. Clothed in white robes they climbed into the mighty tree tops and, using golden sickles, cut the mistletoe branches, which were then caught in white cloths by their assistants. The mistletoe was not allowed to touch the earth.

In the Nordic Baldur myth the mistletoe becomes a deadly weapon. Baldur, the favorite son of the gods and humans, dreams that a misfortune befalls him. His mother Freya wants to prevent this dream from coming true and therefore calls upon all beings to swear an oath that they will do her son no harm. The fact that all creatures swear the oath is celebrated in a great feast during which everyone throws some object at Baldur to prove that nothing more can wound him. Only Loki, Baldur's brother, is seized with envy and, in disguise, asks Freya whether all beings have really sworn the oath. She replies that only one being had seemed too young for the oath: the mistletoe. Hearing this, Loki disappears to look for some mistletoe. He returns to the feast with the plant and joins the blind Hödur whom he persuades to throw something at Baldur, too. Loki places the mistletoe in his hand. Guided by Loki, Hödur throws the mistletoe at Baldur, wounding him fatally.

Customs associated with mistletoe which are still practiced today usually go back to earlier sacred rituals. The custom of hanging a branch of mistletoe over the door at Christmas time comes from England. Every woman standing under the mistletoe can be kissed.

Mistletoe is found as ancient fertility symbol in many countries, for example in France and even in Japan. In some parts of Switzerland the bride carries mistletoe branches in her garland on her wedding day.

Mistletoe is also said to ward off fire and lightening and even to extinguish fires.

The church used mistletoe against possession and therefore carved rosaries and crucifixes from its wood.

Incidentally, the name mistletoe probably derives from mistel or mist (= birdlime), a reference to the way the seeds are spread by being deposited in birds' droppings.