Viscum alba
(Mistletoe)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Antispasmodic
• Anti-tumor activity
• cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity
• Cardiotonic
• Diuretic
• Hypotensive
• Immunostimulant
• Increases intestinal motility
• Increases uterine motility
• Nervine
• Peripheral vasodialator
• Slows heart rate

Clinical Indications:

• Hypertension
• Cancer - ovarian, bronchial, malignant pleural effusion
• Tachycardia

Contraindications:

• Pregnancy due to uterine stimulation

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

• Amines of beta-phenylamine choline, tyramine
• Flavonoids:
  
  Quercetin-derived
• Glycoproteins:
  
  Lectins I, II, III
  Vicumin
• Histamine
• Mucilage
• Phenylcarboxylic acids:
  
  Caffeic
  Gentisic
• Resin
• Triterpenoid saponins
• Viscotoxins I, II, III, - a cardioactive polypeptides

Toxicity:

• Berries are highly poisonous
• Can cause:
  
  Bloody diarrhea
  Cardiovascular collapse
  Coma
  Delirium
  Hallucinations
  Muscular spasms to the point of convulsions
  Respiratory difficulty
  Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  Vomiting
  Death in 10 hours after ingestion

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).