BT-057 · Santalaceae

European mistletoe

Viscum album
Evidence: LimitedHigh risk

Mistletoe photosynthesises with its own leaves but takes water and minerals from its host tree; it is a hemiparasite.

Other names
Mistletoe, ökse otu (Turkish)
Part used
Leafy twigs
Region
Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Use
Ritual and shamanic, Healing, Poisonous
European mistletoe (Viscum album): round clump on a tree branch
Photo: George Chernilevsky · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is European mistletoe?

European mistletoe (Viscum album) is a plant of the Santalaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: leafy twigs.

What is European mistletoe used for?

Traditional use: In folk use the twigs are brewed for blood pressure and blood sugar. Scientific evidence: limited. In Europe, mistletoe extracts are injected as complementary therapy for people with cancer.

Is European mistletoe safe?

Safety label: high risk. The berries and high doses are poisonous, especially to children. It can lower blood pressure.

Traditional use

Anatolia

In folk use the twigs are brewed for blood pressure and blood sugar. Bird-lime was made from its sticky berries; its Turkish name comes from this.

Europe

The Roman writer Pliny describes Gaulish druids ceremonially cutting mistletoe from oaks with a golden sickle.

In nature

Where it grows
On apple, poplar and pine branches in the Black Sea and Marmara regions.
Harvest season
Easy to spot and gather in winter on leafless trees.
Local names
ökse otu, gökçe, burç, çekem

Mix-up risk

Mistletoe from different host trees can differ in content. Keep the berries away from children.

Preparation

Only standardised preparations are used, under a doctor’s supervision.

What science says

In Europe, mistletoe extracts are injected as complementary therapy for people with cancer. There are studies on quality of life, but it has not been shown to treat cancer.

Safety

High risk

The berries and high doses are poisonous, especially to children. It can lower blood pressure.

Drug interactions

Medicine or substanceWhy it matters
Blood pressure medicinesMay increase the effect by lowering blood pressure.
ImmunosuppressantsMay stimulate immunity.
Cancer treatmentMistletoe extracts are used as supportive cancer care in some countries; only with the oncologist’s knowledge.

This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying European mistletoe.

Similar plants

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Sources

  1. NCCIHUS National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: use and safety summary
  2. ResearchKanser tedavisinde ökseotu ekstreleri (derleme)
  3. BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
  4. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Viscum album
  5. Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.

Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe

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