The Ethnomedicinal Efficacy of Mistletoe : a Review

International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021

The Ethnomedicinal Efficacy Of Mistletoe : A Review

1Adaaja B.O, 2Akemien N.N, 2Zaman E.Y , 1Otiwa G.V

1Trial Afforestation Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.

2Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria P.M.B 5054 Jericho Hills Ibadan Nigeria.

Abstract – Mistletoe is the general name for obligate hemi-parasitic herb belonging to the Loranthaceae family of genus Santalales. While several species of this plant are found in places like North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and Korean, the most common species are known as American mistletoe (Phorandendronleucarpun) and the European mistletoe (Viscumalbum). As mistletoe is a parasitic plant, it generally grows on other trees or plants, for instance, Theobromacacao (Cocoa plant), Heaveabrasiliensis (Rubber plant), Colanitida or Colasp. (Kola plant) etc. Other host are Malusdomestica (apple trees), Quercus (oaks trees), pines, first to produce yellowish green leaves, flowers and waxy berries.This review shows the ETHNOMEDICINAL uses of Mistletoes.

Keywords: Mistletoe, Parasitic, Health, Diabetes, Hepatitis.

1. Introduction

Mistletoe was often considered a pest that kills trees and devalues natural habitats but was recently recognized as an ecological keystone species. It is an organism that has a disproportionately pervasive influence over its community. Animals depend on mistletoe for food by consuming the leaves and young shoots, transferring pollen between plants and dispersing the sticky seeds. In the western North America, their juicy berries are eaten and dispersed by birds (notably Phainopepla or Silky-flycatcher). When the berries are consumed, some seeds pass unharmed through their digestive systems and if the birds‟ droppings happen to land on a suitable branch, the seeds may stick long enough to germinate. This way of propagation is shown in the name: Mistel is the Anglo-Saxon word for dung-on-a-twig.

A study of mistletoe has shown that as the plants mature, they grow into masses of branching stems which brings about the popular name “witches‟ brooms”. The dense evergreen witches‟ brooms formed by the dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobiumspecies) of western North America also make excellent locations for roosting and nesting of the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. A study of mistletoe in junipers concluded that more juniper www.ijatsr.org Copyright © IJATSR 2021, All Right Reserved Page 185 International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021

berries sprout in stands where mistletoe is present and the reason for this is that the mistletoe attracts berryeating birds which also eat juniper berries (Millus, 2002). Such interactions lead to dramatic influences on diversities of animals. Thus, rather than being a pest, mistletoe can have a positive effect on biodiversity providing high quality food and habitat for a wide range of animals in forests and woodlands worldwide. There are currently three species of mistletoe being used for medicinal purposes. These species are European mistletoe (Viscumalbum), a Korean variety (Viscum album coloratum) and an Africa species (Viscum album (Loranthusbegwensis L.) (Faluyi et al., 2002).

Mistletoe is a very crucial plant that is used for the treatment of various diseases. The chemical analysis of mistletoe has revealed that this parasitic herb possesses calming, antispasmodic, purgative, immune-modulator, immune-stimulator, a potent hypotensive (causing low blood pressure), an excellent cardio-tonic, diuretic and vermifuge (any medication that helps to expel worms from the body) properties. Due to its multifarious therapeutic attributes, mistletoe is prescribed to cure cough particularly spasmodic cough, asthmatic attacks attributed to psychological tension as well as bronchial asthma. The Yoruba people found mistletoe plant to be medicinally good in curing hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, stomach ulcer, etc. (Okokoh, 1999).

This herb is also used to alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy, hysteria, dizziness, nervous fits, neurosis, cardiac ischemia, arterial hypertension, hiccups, predispositions to virosis (a viral infection), digestive and uterine cramps, memory problems related to hypertension (high blood pressure), ganglionary ailments as well as immunity disorders owning to old age. It is also useful in the treatment of gout, leucorrhoea (a white or yellowish vaginal discharge) and sciatica (pain in some portions of the sciatic nerve).

The Druids and ancient Greeks were the first to use European mistletoe for the reported health benefits offered by the herb. These people employed European mistletoe in the form of a „cure all‟ to treat almost all types of medical conditions. In effect, since a long time ago, mistletoe has been extensively employed in the form of a herbal therapy for an assortment of health disorders, counting alleviating headaches, pains caused by arthritis as well as the menopausal symptoms (i.e menopause complaints).

Primarily, European mistletoe is employed to reduce high blood pressure and slow down the rapid heart rate, alleviate nervousness and induce sleep. When used in small doses, mistletoe helps to provide relief from headaches, panic attack and augments concentration. Herbalists especially prescribe European mistletoe to treat epilepsy and tinnitus (a ringing or similar sensation in the ear). Interest in mistletoe as an anticancer drug began in the 1920‟s (Khinaja, 1986, Kaegi, 1998 and Wagner, 1986). The extracts obtained from mistletoe berries are administered in form of injection to cure cancer in anthroposophical (a medical philosophy founded on Rudolf Steiner‟s teachings) medicine.

According to Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy, mistletoe is “insanely aristocratic”, because it grows according to its own rhythms, “as if the earth were not there.” It grows in any direction, often forming a strange ball up in a tree, it flowers in the winter and it has berries all year long. He argued that mistletoe was the perfect remedy for cancer and developed it into a specially crafted medicine called Iscador which is used in Europe (It is not the same thing as an extract). Mistletoe is also known as Birdlime, Herbe de la Croix, Mystyldene and Lignum Crucis.

In his study, he compared the parasitic nature of the mistletoe plant to that of cancer and believed that cancer represents a faltering of the body’s spiritual defenses (Ernst, 2006). Some arthroposophical mistletoe preparations are diluted homeopathically. Mistletoe extract is sold as Iscador, Helixor, Eurixor and several other trade names. Public interest in the United States was spurred in 2001 following actress Suzanne Somers‟ decision to use Iscador in lieu of chemotherapy following her treatment for breast cancer using surgery and radiotherapy (Schneider, 2001).

Laboratory studies have found that mistletoe can stimulate the immune system and kill cancer cells. However, clinical trials in humans have yet to prove that mistletoe is beneficial for cancer patients. Although studies have shown improvements in survival and/or quality of life among people using mistletoe in treatment of cancer. Mistletoe is a very effective remedy for women‟s problems. For instance, this herb is used to lessen the profuse menstruation flow, menstrual problems as well as hemorrhage following child birth. In addition, this herb can also be employed to treat persistent cramping, infertility and to cure uterine problems.This review aimed to collate and enumerate the indigenous uses of mistletoes .

Life cycle of (bioweb.uwla ) www.ijatsr.org Copyright © IJATSR 2021, All Right Reserved Page 187 mistletoe x.edu International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021

Fig1:Life cycle of Mistletoes.

2. HEALTH BENEFITS OF MISTLETOES:A GENERAL OVERVIEW

2.1 Mistletoe and Hepatitis C

The immune system’s role in defeating Hepatitis C and fighting cancer is very similar. Every day, hundreds of cells in our body degenerate because of viral infections or genetic changes, both which can become cancerous. Various types of white blood cells, including natural- killer cells, recognize these harmful cells and destroy them. A healthfully functioning immune system defends against the formation of tumors daily with this process.

2.2 Mistletoe and diabetes

Preliminary research indicates that mistletoe may be useful in the management of diabetic animals treated with mistletoe had a significant decrease in blood sugar levels. Mistletoe also appeared to stimulate the secretion of insulin in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

Since there is limited evidence on mistletoe’s benefits and risks for people with hepatitis C or diabetes, it is crucial for patients to consult a physician before using this herb. When someone has a low blood pressure, mistletoe can help to raise it. This sound not logical but when we understand that the effect of mistletoe works by strengthen the heart and making the blood vessels more elastical. Mistletoe can modify the blood pressure in both directions. Since mistletoe helps in strengthening the digestive system and metabolism, it is also helpful against rheumatic complaints. Mistletoe strengthens the nerves and can thus be a remedy against headache and dizziness. It also helps against other circulatory problems like a weak heart or arteriosclerosis. The cold infusion of the mistletoe can be used for bathing and poultices. It can help against varicose veins and ulcers of the lower legs. Also eczemas can be treated with mistletoe infusions. A mistletoe poultice can allay neuralgic pains. External treatments with mistletoe against hay fever, one can take a snuff of mistletoe infusion.

In the olden times before being a part of a sequence of signs of the winter holidays, mistletoe was regarded to be a religion symbol of the pagans. Mistletoe was considered to possess magical properties since it was effective in curing ailments, brought good luck, defended against witchcraft and was also believed to be a source for treating infertility. For instance, during the middle ages, people were of the belief that hanging branches of mistletoe from the ceiling protected their homes and the inhabitants from tainted spirits. There are numerous other instances of the magical attributes of mistletoe. Among these, one relates to the Vikings who regarded this species to possess the power of getting the dead back to life. On the other hand, the Romans used mistletoe to make their marriages lawful by a famous kiss under the mistletoe tree.

Over several hundred years, herbalists all over Europe have been depending on the tea or tincture prepared with the berries of mistletoe to cure a number of symptoms related to high www.ijatsr.org Copyright © IJATSR 2021, All Right Reserved Page 188 International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021

blood pressure such as wooziness, tetchiness, loss of vitality and others. The sticky juice of mistletoe berries was used as adhesive to trap small animals or birds (Thomas, 1848). In South Africa, it is called “Bird lime”. A handful of ripe fruits are chewed until sticky and the mass is then rubbed between the palms of the hands to form long extremely sticky strands which are then coiled around small thin tree branches where birds perch. When a bird lands on this, it gets stuck to the branch and is then easy to catch by hand.

3.INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE ON THE USE OF MISTLETOES .

Eleven species of mistletoes are widely used for various purposes. Noticeable use of the mistletoes is for healing bone fractures dislocation and sprain. Mistletoes have traditionally been used since long. However, they have remained unused by the modern pharmacological practices.

Indigenously,dendrophthoefalcate, scurrulaelata, scurrulapulverulenta and viscumarticulatum, helixantheraligustrina, loranthusodoratus, scurrulaelata, scurrulaparasitica, s. Pulverulenta, viscumalbum and v. Articulatum are used in various regions. Most of the species were used for healing and curing the bone fractures, dislocation and sprain. Very few were reported as fodder and edible (table 1).

To date, total of 19 species of the mistletoes are generally used (Devkota, 2005). Though the species are few in number, their uses have been practiced indigenously for centuries. Of the 19 species, 11 species are being indigenously used for various purposes. Some of the important uses of mistletoe include medicine, fodder and food. Besides these, few species are used in trapping birds and few others are used as food for birds and butterflies.

Mistletoes are extensively applied for curing muscular swelling, sprains, fractures, dislocations, etc. a detailed review of indigenous use of 11 mistletoes species has been presented below. Their synonyms and local names are given in table 1.

Table 1. Indigenous use of mistletoes

S/N Species Name Indigenous use

1. Dendrophthoefalcate (L.f.) Etting. Edible, medicinal *{Loranthusbicolor Roxb., L. falcate L.f., L. longiflorus Desr.}

2 Helixantheraligustrina (wall.) Edible, medicinal Danser *{LoranthusLigustrinus wall.}

3 Loranthusodoratus wall.* Fodder, medicinal

{Hyphaerodoratum (wall.) Danser}

4 Macrosolencochinchinensis Tiegh. Medicinal {Loranthuscochinchinensis Tiegh., L.globosusRoxb., L. viridiflorus

wall.}

5 Scurrulaelata (Edgew.) Danser* Edible, fodder, medicinal {Loranthuselatus Edgew.}

6 Scurrulaparasitica L.*

{Loranthusscurrula L.} Edible, fodder

7 Scurrulapulverulenta (wall.) G. Don* {Loranthuscarnosus wall., L. pulverulenta wall.} Edible, medicinal,fodder

8 Taxillusvestitus (wall.) Danser

{Loranthusvestitus (wall.) Danser} Edible, medicinal

9 Viscumalbum L,* {Viscum costatum, Edible, medicinal V. stellatum D.Don}

10 Viscumarticulatum Burm.f.* Fodder, medicinal

{Viscumdichotomum D.Don,

V.liquidambaricolum (Hayata) R.S.

Rao}

11 Viscumspecies Fodder, medicinal

Source: Field survey (2003 and 2004),

1. Dendrophthoefalcata (L.f.) Etting. Loranthaceae): leaf paste is used in skin diseases. It is taken in abortion (Bhattari, 1991; Siwakoti and Siwakoti, 2000). Bark juice/decoction is employed for menstrual problems and asthma (Bohora, 1998; Sapkota, 2000; Bhattari, 2002). Its paste is applied on boils, setting dislocated bonesn www.ijatsr.org Copyright © IJATSR 2021, All Right Reserved Page 190 International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021

and extracting pus (Manandhar, 2002). Fruit is taken as flavor, edible (Panthi and Chaudhary, 2002; Shrestha and Kunwar, 2003), astringent, narcotics and for curing wounds (Siwakoti and Varma, 1996, 1999), and its paste Is applied on fractures for setting bones and other medicinal purposes (Sah et al., 2002). Nectar is food for hair Crested Drungo and Sunbirds. Leaf along with Urticadoica (Sisnu) are made into paste and used to treat bone fractures.

2. Helixantheraligustrina (wall.) Danser (Loranthaceae): Fruits are edible (Manandhar, 2002) and whole plant is used as medicine (Panthi and Chaudhary, 2002; Shrestha and Kunwar, 2003).

3. Loranthusodoratus wall. (Loranthaceae): Plant is used as fodder (Gurung, 2003). Ripen fruits are taken by Tamang people for indigestion . In winter, fruits are collected, boiled with equal volume of water and the viscous gel is applied over the tree branches for bird trapping.

4. Macrosolencochinchinensis (Lour.) van Tiegh. (Loranthaceae): Plant is taken to cure headache (Devkota, 1997).

5. Scurrulaelata (Edgew.) Danser (Loranthaceae): Leaves are used as fodder. Fruits are edible and used for bird trapping ( Duwadee and Kunwar, 2001, Manandhar, 2002).

6. Scurrulaparasitica L. (Loranthaceae): Leaves are used as fodder. Fruits are edible (Manandhar, 2002; Shrestha and Kunwar, 2003). If taken, the tender shoots cause loss of appetite and vomiting to livestock.

7. Scurrulapulverulenta (wall.) G. Don (Loranthaceae): Leaves are used as fodder. Fruits are edible and used for bird trapping stem bark is boiled in water and used as a treatment of jaundice.

8. Taxillus vestitus (wall.) Danser (Loranthaceae): Plant is boiled and its extract is applied on sprain . It is also used as a wild food plant (Manandhar, 1997).

9. Viscumalbum Linn (Viscaceae): Fruits are edible, laxative, tonic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic (IUCN, 2004); used for tumor, mixed with egg and eaten to cure fracture (Devkota, 1997); food for butterfly, Delaisaglaia (Red base Jazebel), Delaisbelladonna (Hill Jazebel); twigs are used by witch doctors . Plant is used as diuretic; applied in wounds, earache, and enlargement of spleen (Malla, 1994; Khan, 1997; Joshi and Joshi, 2001; Panthi and Chaudhary, 2002; IUCN, 2004). Root extract is taken to cure titanus (Dangol, 2002) and bark paste is applied on muscular swelling, boils, wounds, sprains, fractures ( Shrestha and Dhillion, 2003). Plant paste is applied on curing dislocated bones (Oli, 2003; Shrestha et al., 2004), wounds of cattle (Shrestha, 1997; Bhattarai, 2002; Shrestha et al., 2004; IUCN, 2004) and abdomen swelling.

10. Viscumarticulatum Burn. F. (Viscaceae): Plant bark is often mixed with hen egg and Pinusroxburghii leaf and taken for ailment of bone dislocation. It is given in fever attended with itching limbs and as an aphrodisiac. It has febrifuge properties. Paste prepared from all parts of the plant is applied over the fractured portion of the body (Oli, 2003). Stem paste and decoction is applied on cuts, wounds, bone fracture (Joshi and Joshi, 2001); Niraula, 2001; Gurung, 2003; IUCN, 2004), ulcers and blood diseases (Sapkota, 2000; IUCN, 2004), epilepsy and sprain (Siwakoti and Siwakoti, 2000). Plant is also used as fodder.

11. Viscumsp. (Viscaceae): Plant paste is used in fracture (Kattel and Kurmi, 2004).

4.CONCLUSIONS

Mistletoes are one of the important components of biodiversity. They play a vital role in natural plant communities by interacting with other hosts, herbivores and dispersers. Due to their parasitic nature, defined dispersal methods and some mysterious growth habit, many cultures have revered feared and thought of mistletoe to have certain magical properties. The species possess crucial importance and this includes the curing of the dreadful disease known as cancer.

Other medicinal uses of mistletoe are as follows: calming, stops bleeding, inflammation- inhibitory, diuretic, spasm-dissolvent, strengthening, high blood pressure, heart weakness, fast heartbeat, arteriosclerosis, edemas, fever, digestive weakness, constipation, stomach weakness, pancreatic weakness, diabetes, gall weakness, nervous weakness, headache, giddinesses, joint inflammation, chronic joint problems, arthrosis, rheumatism, menopause complaints, uterine pain, uterine bleeding, uterine tumors, discharge, epilepsy, hay fever, varicose veins, eczemas, dizziness, depression, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, bervousness, sterility, tension and others. Mistletoes should not be used while taking alcohol,during pregnancy and with drugs that lower blood pressure.

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