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Mistletoe: A magical herb that nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens the bones and muscles, and dispels wind and dampness

Writer's picture: Hongji MedicalHongji Medical

In the treasure house of traditional Chinese medicine, mistletoe (Herba Taxilli) is highly respected for its unique medicinal value and long history. This parasitic plant is not only frequently seen in ancient medical texts, but also shows impressive potential in modern medical research. This article will take you to a deeper understanding of the origin and background of mistletoe, plant characteristics, indications, efficacy, modern applications and precautions, so that you can have a more comprehensive understanding of this magical herb.


Mulberry
桑寄生

Origin and Background of Mistletoe


Mulberry parasite, with the scientific name Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser, belongs to the Loranthaceae family. It is often called the mistletoe, the mulberry parasite, the parasite, the parasite tree, the parasite grass, the mistletoe, etc. In English, it is called Mulberry mistletoe. Mulberry parasite mainly comes from the dry leafy stems of the plant Taxillus chinensis of the Loranthaceae family.


Mulberry
桑寄生

Plant characteristics of mistletoe


Mulberry is a parasitic plant that usually parasitizes on mulberry trees, hence its name. The stems of Mulberry are like small pillars with some branches. They are very brittle and easy to break, and the cross section is not flat.


Its bark is thin, dark brown in color, and can be easily separated from the wood. The wood is very broad, almost occupying most of the stem, and is light reddish brown in color. The medullary rays are very obvious and radial, while the pith is smaller and slightly darker in color.


Mulberry
桑寄生

The leaves of mistletoe fall off easily, with only a few remaining on the stem. The flowers and fruits of mistletoe often fall off. The flower buds are tubular, slightly curved, oval at the top, and covered with rusty hairs. The berries are oblong, reddish-brown in color, and covered with small tubercles. The smell of mistletoe is very light and the taste is slightly astringent.


The color of mistletoe is mostly reddish brown or grayish brown, with some dot-shaped lenticels, which are yellowish brown or grayish yellow, plus some longitudinal fine wrinkles. The surface of thick branches is also reddish brown or grayish brown, with some protruding branch marks and leaf marks on it.


Mulberry
桑寄生

Mulberry is mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and other places in China, which are located between 22 and 27 degrees north latitude and 107 and 120 degrees east longitude. The annual average temperature here is about 20 to 22 degrees Celsius, and the annual rainfall is between 1400 and 2000 mm, which is very suitable for the growth of Mulberry.


The medicinal effects of mistletoe


Mistletoe has many medicinal effects, mainly including nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening the tendons and bones, dispelling wind and dampness, and calming the fetus.


Nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens the bones and muscles

Mulberry is known as a "little expert in nourishing the liver and kidneys". It can help us strengthen the liver and kidney functions and make the body more energetic. For those who often feel sore waist and knees, weak muscles and bones, Mulberry is like a close friend, giving us strength and support.


Dispel wind and dampness, dredge meridians

Mulberry is also a "rheumatism killer". It can effectively remove rheumatism in the body and make our meridians more unobstructed. If you often feel limb dryness, rheumatism and numbness, you might as well try mistletoe, it will make your body more relaxed and comfortable.




To stabilize pregnancy and improve blood

For pregnant mothers, mistletoe is also a "guardian angel". It can stabilize the fetus and help pregnant mothers spend a stable pregnancy. In addition, mistletoe can also replenish blood, making our blood more abundant and our complexion more rosy.


Dietary therapy plan


Mulberry and lotus seed egg tea is a simple and nutritious food therapy drink, especially suitable for people who need to nourish the liver and kidneys, strengthen bones and muscles, and stabilize the fetus. The following is the specific method:

  1. Prepare ingredients : 10 grams of mistletoe, 20 grams of lotus seeds, 2 eggs, and appropriate amount of rock sugar.

  2. Processing materials : Wash the mistletoe and lotus seeds separately with clean water. It is best to soak the lotus seeds for 1 hour in advance so that they are easier to cook.

  3. Cooking mistletoe : Put mistletoe into a pot, add appropriate amount of water, boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, filter out the soup and set aside.

  4. Cook lotus seeds and eggs : Put lotus seeds and appropriate amount of water in a pot, bring to a boil and then simmer for about 30 minutes until the lotus seeds become soft. Then add eggs and continue to cook for about 10 minutes until the eggs are cooked.

  5. Add rock sugar : Pour the cooked mistletoe soup into the pot, add appropriate amount of rock sugar, stir evenly until the rock sugar is completely dissolved.

  6. Finishing : Pour the cooked mistletoe and lotus seed egg tea into a cup and enjoy it after it cools down a little.


Mulberry and Lotus Seed Egg Tea
桑寄生蓮子蛋茶

Modern Applications of Mistletoe


Modern medical research has found that mistletoe contains a variety of active ingredients, such as avicularin and quercetin. These ingredients have the effect of promoting osteoblast maturation and avoiding free radical damage. Studies have shown that mistletoe extract can promote the mineralization reaction of rat skull osteoblasts and has no cytotoxicity.


This effect is related to the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and BMP-6. In addition, mistletoe extract can also promote the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase, ostepontin and osteocalcin, and has the effect of reducing free radical-induced cell apoptosis. These research results show that mistletoe has a significant effect in promoting osteoblast maturation and protecting against free radical damage.


Notes

Although mistletoe has many medicinal values, you still need to pay attention to the following points when using it:

  1. Allergic reactions : Some patients may have allergic reactions to mistletoe, so an allergy test should be performed before use.

  2. Dosage control : The use of mistletoe should follow the doctor's instructions and avoid overdose to avoid adverse reactions.

  3. Contraindications : Pregnant women, breastfeeding women and patients with specific diseases should use mistletoe under the guidance of a doctor.

  4. Storage method : Mistletoe should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and high temperature environment.


Conclusion

As a traditional Chinese medicinal material, mistletoe has shown new vitality in modern medical research with its unique medicinal value and broad application prospects. Through a comprehensive understanding of the origin and background of mistletoe, plant characteristics, indications, efficacy, modern applications and precautions, we can better utilize this magical plant to serve human health. I hope this article can provide you with valuable information and let you have a deeper understanding of mistletoe.

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