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| Latin: |
Herba Taxilli |
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| Origin: |
Mulberry mistletoe refers to the stem and branch with leaves of the evergreen undershrub Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser [Loranthus chinensis DC.], Taxillus sutchuenensis (Lecomte) Danser [Loranthus sutchuenensis Lecomte] and Taxillus nigrans (Hance) Danser [Loranthus nigrans Hance], of the family Loranthaceae.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on the branches of trees, including the oak, which is considered to be the best. It also grows on apple trees, ash, hazel, crab apple, maple, willow, lime and hawthorn trees. It flowers in spring, and produces green- yellow flowers and white berries.
In China, the parasitic loranthus (Loranthus parasiticus) is mainly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, etc., while the colored mistletoe (Viscum coloratum) is mainly produced in Hebei, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Henan, etc.
According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss. The custom is of Scandinavian origin.
Mulberry mistletoe is harvested in winter to spring of the following year. Remove the thick stem, cut the stem or branch into lengths, dry or steam them before drying and use when raw. |
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| Properties: |
| Bitter and sweet in flavor, mild in nature, it is related to the liver and kidney channels. |
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| Functions: |
| Dispels pathogenic wind and dampness, reinforces the liver and kidneys, strengthens bones and muscles and prevents miscarriage. |
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| Applications: |
1. To treat rheumatism and arthralgia, soreness in the loins and knees, etc.:
a) Arthralgia due to insufficiency of the liver and kidneys:
This herb is often used together with angelica root (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis), largeleaf gentian root (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), cassia twig, eucommia bark, Chinese angelica, etc., e.g., Duhuo Jisheng Tang.
2. To treat vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and threatened abortion:
This herb is mostly used in combination with such herbs as donkey-hide gelatin, Chinese teasel root (Radix Dipsaci), Chinese dodder seed, etc., e.g., Shou Tai Wan. |
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| Dosage and Administration: |
10-20 g.
Decoct mulberry mistletoe for oral administration. |
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| Cautions on Use: |
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| Reference Materials: |
Shen Nong's Herbal Classic : "To treat lumbago, infantile stiff back and skin and external diseases by preventing miscarriage, nourishing skin and muscles, strengthening hair and teeth and promoting the growth of eyebrows and beards."
Other Medical Records of Famous Physicians : "Promoting the secretion of milk."
Ri Huazi's Materia Medica : "Reinforcing bones and muscles and replenishing blood vessels." |
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| Toxic or Side Effects: |
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| Modern Researches: |
The parasitic loranthus contains such flavonoids as avicularin, while the colored mistletoe contains such triterpenes as oleanolic acid, b-amyrin, inositol and flavolic compounds.
Oleanolic acid in mulberry mistletoe is a natural sterilizer (see Kumiko Horiuchi, Sumiko Shiota, Tsutomu Hatano, Takashi Yoshida, Teruo Kuroda and Tomofusa Tsuchiya, "Antimicrobial Activity of Oleanolic Acid from Salvia officinalis and Related Compounds on Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)," Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin Vol. 30, No. 6 (2007), pp. 1,147-1,149.)
The parasitic loranthus has hypotensive, tranquilizing and diuretic effects. It can dilate the coronary artery and increase the blood flow in the artery. The colored mistletoe also has an hypotensive effect.
The parasitic loranthus can inhibit polio viruses. |
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