Mistletoe or mistletoe is one of the parasitic plants that grows alongside other host plants, this plant is mostly used for decoration, but what you do not know has many health benefits and can be used differently, so we decided to explain to you everything related to this plant Especially its health benefits, so follow us.

What is the mistletoe or mistletoe plant?

Mistletoe, or as it is known as mistletoe or European mistletoe, is a parasitic plant that grows next to other plants and trees that are its host, and the mistletoe feeds and absorbs its nutrients from these trees or plants attached to it, through penetration into their branches and roots to survive.

In fact, there are many types of mistletoe and mistletoe, their types reach more than 900 species, these types belong to about 73 different plant genera, some of them may be poisonous and are warned against their use, and others are safe and can be used for many purposes.

This plant is one of the plants that has unique properties that make it have many health benefits, and help to solve some health problems as well. Its fruits, leaves and stems can be used as a treatment and medicine.

This plant has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, and many organic and chemical compounds have been made from its extracts, and it is used in the treatment of many chronic diseases.

Health benefits of mistletoe

The mistletoe herb has many health benefits, the most famous of which are:

1. Lowering blood pressure

This herb may help reduce high blood pressure, as its extract showed tangible results and effects on cases of high pressure, and helps reduce pressure on the heart and reduce cardiovascular effort, in addition to its role in reducing the effect of atherosclerosis. Not that it is with lowering blood pressure working to reduce the risk of strokes, coronary heart disease and heart attacks.

2. Enhance sleep quality

This plant has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of insomnia and insomnia, by using it as a tea, and this is because its chemical components affect the release of neurotransmitters that help you calm down and control the calmness of the nervous system, because calming the nerves is the main factor in regulating the sleep cycle that The body needs it, and thus reflects on us a comfortable and healthy sleep.

3. Mistletoe and cancer

This plant has properties that make it work as an anti-cancer, as it helps to slow the development of cancer in the body, and some research has indicated that some people suffering from breast cancer have noticed positive changes and improvement in their health and emotional state after using it.

This plant also works to reduce some of the side effects of chemotherapy for cancer patients, such as nausea, numbness, hair loss, and reduce depression associated with this type of treatment, due to the protective chemical properties of this plant.

4. Calm the respiratory system

Mistletoe may help a lot to calm respiratory distress, as it works to reduce irritation and chest tightness and calm the respiratory system, and it has a special ability to soothe sore throats, bronchitis and coughing. And given the nerve support as explained earlier, this plant helps you calm your mind and body at the same time.

5. Diabetes control

Some studies have shown that this plant has special abilities that may help lower and control the level of blood sugar. It also helps to stimulate the production of insulin in the pancreas, thus regulating its levels in the body and reducing the occurrence of any disturbances in blood sugar levels.

6. Boost the immune system

This plant affects the immune system in one way or another, which is why it is used a lot in the treatment of chronic diseases, because mistletoe works to strengthen the immune system and reduce its weakness, thus protecting the body from any external diseases.

In addition, this plant contains some antioxidants, anti-bacterials and anti-virals, which is why it is considered one of the most famous lines of herbal defense for the body.

7. Calm the nerves

If you suffer from anxiety attacks and its annoying symptoms such as involuntary physical spasms, this plant will benefit you because it is a good nerve stimulant and works to reduce the level of stress hormone, and makes you more able to control your nerves.

8. Mistletoe and menstruation

If you suffer from excessive cramps and difficult menstrual pain, this plant will help you a lot to relieve this pain, by drinking the distinctive mistletoe tea, which will calm the cramps you feel and reduce muscle inflammation and pain.

9. Elimination of infections

For hundreds of years, tinctures of mistletoe and the plant itself have been used to treat infections, whether internal or external inflammation, for example arthritis. For years, the tincture of this plant has been used to relieve arthritis pain and increase mobility, especially with age. In addition to its ability to get rid of internal infections, especially those related to the digestive system and digestive health.

10. Reduce snoring

In the event that you suffer from the problem of snoring, a cup of herbal mistletoe tea before you go to bed can do wonders, by calming your nerves and promoting a healthy sleep, as well as reducing the shortness of breath that you may feel during sleep, thus reducing snoring during sleep.

Notice: Not all of these benefits have been proven and confirmed, and more research and studies are still needed to prove its effectiveness.

How to use mistletoe (mistletoe)

It is best to use this herb in small quantities due to its strength, a small amount is able to get you to the desired effect, and it can be found in many forms that facilitate its use, such as:

• liquid extract.
• dried herb;
• Laminated tea bags.
• herbal supplements.
• Injections and are affiliated with nutritional supplements.

It is best to use it under medical supervision, and with direct advice from a specialist, especially if it is used as an herbal supplement or taken as an injection.

How to prepare mistletoe tea

You can prepare this tea yourself without having to buy it ready-made, and the way to prepare it is as follows:

• Soak about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried mistletoe in about a cup of boiling water.
• Leave to soak for about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Drink steeped tea.

This tea must be consumed in reasonable quantities, so you should not consume more than one to two cups of this tea during the day.

Possible side effects

There are some side effects of this herb, which may appear in general in case of excessive intake or taking high doses of it or its extracts, and among the most famous of these symptoms that may appear in this case:

• vomiting;
• nausea;
• diarrhea.
• dizziness;
• Reduction of Blood pressure.

Also, using injected extracts of this plant as a natural supplement may expose you to some side effects, such as pain and inflammation at the injection site, but other than that, it is not associated with other serious or severe side effects.

Pregnancy and lactation

In the case of planning pregnancy, pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is best to consult a specialized doctor first before using this plant and its extracts, and do not take it on your own.

children

It is not preferable for children to use this plant because there are not enough studies that indicate that it is safe for children, so a doctor should be consulted first before giving it to a child, whether in the form of tea or as a dietary supplement.

Interaction with other medicines

Be careful because mistletoe may interact with some other medications, especially anticoagulants, heart disease medications, antidepressants, and high pressure treatments, so you should avoid using this plant if you are being treated with one of these medications. You should also tell your doctor about the medications you are taking in case you want to use mistletoe, and he will guide you and show you whether it is safe to use it or not.