In honor of the season, the first herb I’ve decided to highlight is mistletoe! If there is anything you want to add on magic, medicine, or folklore associated with this herb, please do so in the comments.

Mistletoe

Scientific Name: Viscum album European Mistletoe. Note: American Mistletoe is poisonous!

Description: An evergreen, parasitic plant, found in the branches of deciduous trees in Europe.

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun and Jupiter

Element: Air

Deities: Apollo, Freya, Frigga, Venus, Odin, Balder, Cerridwen

Magical Associations: Protection, Love, Hunting, Fertility, Health, Exorcism, Yule, Midsummer.

Magical and Folk Uses:

We’ve just about all heard or seen the tradition of hanging mistletoe around Christmas. This tradition may date back to the Roman holiday of Saturnalia. In the more recent history that brings us to our Christmas tradition, kissing under the mistletoe was supposed to grant lasting love. For each kiss, one of the berries was supposed to be removed. When no more berries were left, the kissing magic was done.

Here are some additional uses:

Carry or place the leaves and berries for protection from lightning, disease, and general misfortune. Also can be carried for good luck in hunting.

Wearing a ring carved of mistletoe will ward off sickness.

Laid near the bedroom door, mistletoe grants restful sleep.

Mistletoe burned banishes evil.

Medical Uses:

Mistletoe raises and then lowers blood pressure below the initial level. It has been used to help the heart and circulatory system.

It is toxic and should be used with care, preferably under medical supervision. There are multiple types of mistletoe, so be sure to check the scientific names before use!