{"product_id":"mistletoe-viscum-album-dried-herb-organic","title":"Mistletoe (Viscum album) - Dried Herb, Organic","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003eMistletoe, known botanically as Viscum album, is an evergreen plant that grows high in the branches of deciduous trees such as apple, oak, and birch. It is hemiparasitic, meaning it draws some of its nourishment from the host tree while also producing its own food through its green leaves. The plant forms round clusters, often 20 to 60 inches (50–150 cm) across, that stay green even through the winter.\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003eMistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e has small yellow-green flowers that bloom in spring and develop into white, sticky berries that remain on the plant during the cold months. These berries are not edible and should always be handled with care.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003eFor centuries, \u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e has held an honored place in herbal and folk medicine. Traditionally, herbalists have used the aerial parts (the leaves and stems) in teas, tinctures, or extracts. .\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003eMistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e’s story runs deep through many traditions:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2548\" data-start=\"1603\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCeltic and Druidic Traditions:\u003c\/b\u003e The Druids regarded\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas sacred, believing it could protect against misfortune, increase fertility, and bring peace. They harvested it only with golden tools during special ceremonies, especially around the winter solstice.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNorse Mythology:\u003c\/b\u003e In Norse legend,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecaused the death of Balder, son of Odin, when Loki used it to craft a fatal arrow. This myth reminds us of the plant’s dual nature—both healing and dangerous.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRoman and Christian Lore:\u003c\/b\u003e The Romans associated\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewith peace and love. Some Christian traditions say the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas once a proud tree used to make the cross of Christ, and that it shrank in shame into the small, clinging plant we know today.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eModern Custom:\u003c\/b\u003e The tradition of kissing under\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003elikely began with the Roman festival of Saturnalia and continued through the ages as a symbol of love, reconciliation, and new beginnings.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTypes of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003eMistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThere are two main species commonly known as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2888\" data-start=\"2645\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePhoradendron flavescens:\u003c\/b\u003e Native to North America, often used in Christmas decorations.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eViscum album:\u003c\/b\u003e The European variety, sacred to the Celts and ancient Germanic tribes, used ceremonially and in traditional healing practices.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e Precautions\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eMistletoe is a powerful plant and must be used carefully. Its berries and leaves contain compounds that can be toxic in large amounts. Only use\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-markjs=\"true\" class=\"markouq3ex5cc\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003emistletoe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epreparations under the guidance of a qualified herbal practitioner. Do\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003enot\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e ingest raw berries or plant material.\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Gaia Garden Herbals Inc.","offers":[{"title":"100g","offer_id":51799013458199,"sku":null,"price":13.73,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 lb","offer_id":51806704238871,"sku":null,"price":62.33,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 kg","offer_id":51806704271639,"sku":null,"price":137.28,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/6191\/2599\/files\/Mistletoe_Viscumalbum.webp?v=1768341990","url":"https:\/\/www.gaiagarden.com\/products\/mistletoe-viscum-album-dried-herb-organic","provider":"Gaia Garden Herbals Inc.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}