Mistletoe is a plant we recognise at Christmas time while hanging over doors and stealing a kiss. This tradition is believed to have come from the plant symbolising fertility, vitality and renewal, due to its ability to be green and bear fruit during winter, but everytime a kiss has been stolen beneath the mistletoe a berry must be removed and once all the berries have gone, the power to ask for a kiss has gone too. It is also believed to be a symbol of protection from evil spirits, and this is why it is traditionally hung above doors and weaved into wreaths to protect our houses from unwanted energies. A tradition that seems to be lost is to burn the wreath and mistletoe after Christmas to get rid of all the evil spirits trapped within them.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant and will happily grow on most broadleaf trees. The juicy white berries are a favourite of blackbirds and thrushes, but the seeds inside are sticky, and when birds eat the berries, they wipe their beaks on branches, the seeds stick and start to grow, they penetrate the bark and feed from nutrients and water provided by the tree. Mistletoe can also grow from birds excreting the seeds onto the tree, and the name mistletoe originates from an Anglo Saxon name 'mistel' meaning dung and 'tan' meaning twig. Hence, dung-on-a-twig (not quite so romantic now)
If trees are left to weigh too heavy with mistletoe, it will kill them prematurely, but kept under control causes minimal harm. You can easily spot it this time of year, great green masses amongst bare boughs mostly high and out of reach.
In recent times, it has been proven that the extract of mistletoe is successfully used to combat cancer and seems to be more effective and less toxic than chemotherapy.
Some great reasons to love and honour this plant as you hang it and steal a kiss in the festive season.
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