HERB CORNER
Sacred Herbs of Yule... ...continued from page 17
nation with other antihypertensive drugs and should not be taken for 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Magical Uses Mistletoe grows high up in a tree, usually an Apple or Poplar, and occasionally an Oak. It gets its nourishment from the sap of the tree and has no need for soil or water. It is a mysterious plant, oriented to the Pleiades rather than the Sun, that blooms and fruits in midwinter. Not surprisingly, it is an herb of air. Hang Mistletoe in the home or burn it in the hearth to protect the occupants. Hang it in the house at Yuletide to attract and bond lovers. Hang it in a bedroom to protect against bad dreams. Nicholas Culpeper’s seventeenth-century English Physician rec- ommended wearing Mistletoe around the neck as a charm against witchcraft. Wear Mistletoe in an amulet or charm if you are the target of hexes or ill-intentioned sorcery. Mistletoe and Oak trees have a sacred affinity. Oak trees show di - vine favor because they attract lightning but are able to ground the stroke and survive. The lightning comes as a message from the Gods, and lightning-struck Oak can be added to any spell to magnify its pow- er. Mistletoe found on Oak, known as “all heal,” has immense magical power and can be added to any spell to enhance its potency. Because it is a holy plant revered by the Druids and other magical practitioners, “all-heal” must never be allowed to touch the ground. Mistletoe is sacred to Frigga, Odin, and Baldur; place it on or hang it
carditis, with Blue Cohosh ( Caulophyllum thalictroides ) for irregular menstruation, and with Hawthorn and Linden flowers ( Tilia spp .) for hypertension. To prepare Mistletoe, steep 1 teaspoon of twigs and leaves per cup of freshly boiled water, covered, for about 20 minutes. Take ¼ cup four times daily. CAUTION: Be sure you are using only Viscum album , the common Mistletoe, sometimes called European Mistletoe. Other species are harsh and abortive and can be poisonous. Also, use only the leaves and twigs; the berries of all Mistletoe varieties, including Viscum album , are poisonous. Two leaves seems to be the correct amount for an adult dose. Any- thing more can cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping. Frequent use or large dosages of Mistletoe can cause liver or heart damage or worsen heart conditions and liver disease. The preparation Iscador is generally injected, but large doses given by injection can cause fever, chills, skin rashes, pain, nausea, vomit- ing, allergic reactions, and other side effects. Medical supervision is necessary when injecting this herb. Women who are pregnant should avoid the plant because it stim- ulates the uterus and could cause a miscarriage. There is not enough data regarding the use of Mistletoe during breastfeeding, so it is best to avoid it at that time. Because it stimulates the immune system, Mistletoe could increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lu- pus, and rheumatoid arthritis. A more active immune system might increase the risk of organ rejection, so any person with an organ trans- plant should avoid it. It could also worsen leukemia. Mistletoe lowers blood pressure, so it should not be used in combi -
over the altar in their honor. Mistletoe at Yuletide
As told in the story above, Mistletoe is a sacred herb associated with the Scandinavian God Baldur and with the return of the Sun at Winter Solstice. We modern people still kiss under the Mistletoe in remembrance of the tender and loving Baldur and the story of Baldur continued on page 61
18—PATHWAYS—Winter 23
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