Holiday Traditions: Is Mistletoe Poisonous?

Is mistletoe poisonous? Mistletoe, which is commonly used in Christmas decorations, is a parasitic plant that grows on trees. Mistletoe contains toxins that can be poisonous when ingested. The ASPCA reminds pet owners that mistletoe poisoning can affect pets as well as humans. Both mistletoe leaves and mistletoe berries are potentially poisonous, but mistletoe poisoning usually only occurs if large amounts of the plant are ingested. Mistletoe poisoning in pets and young children may result from a lower dosage. Although mistletoe poisoning is rare, it can cause serious complications.

Symptoms of Mistletoe Poisoning
Symptoms of mistletoe poisoning may include blurred vision, diarrhea, drowsiness, hallucinations, inflammation, itching, low blood pressure, mild fever, nausea, slowed heartbeat, stomach pain, vomiting and weakness. Mistletoe poisoning may also cause complications such as anaphylaxis, and can cause convulsions, especially in children who consume high doses. Serious reactions to mistletoe poisoning and fatalities due to mistletoe poisoning are rare, but the severity depends on the amount of mistletoe consumed as well as the general health and sensitivity of the person or animal that consumed it.

Medicinal Uses of Mistletoe
Mistletoe has medicinal uses in folk medicine and alternative medicine, though it is not recommended as a treatment by conventional Western medicine. According to A Modern Herbal, mistletoe was traditionally used as an effective treatment for convulsive disorders such as epilepsy. Mistletoe has also been used as an experimental treatment for cancer, though scientific evidence of its effectiveness as a cancer cure is limited. Medicinal forms of mistletoe include teas, tinctures and injections. Mistletoe extracts that are depleted of lectins, one of the toxins in mistletoe, are less likely to produce adverse reactions.

In conclusion, although serious reactions are rare, mistletoe can be poisonous, and it is best to avoid consuming any part of the plant. There are many different species of mistletoe, which may have different medicinal or toxic effects. If taking mistletoe as part of an alternative treatment, be aware of the possibility of mistletoe poisoning and watch for symptoms of adverse reaction. Be sure to keep mistletoe decorations out of reach of children and pets. If any member of your household consumes mistletoe, watch for symptoms such as stomach upset and drowsiness and seek medical care.

Sources:

ASPCA, Mistletoe "American", Animal Poison Control Center

Anahad O'Connor, The Claim: Don't Eat the Mistletoe. It Can Be Deadly, New York Times

Mistletoe, Drugs.com

Mistletoe Poisoning, Medline Plus

Mrs. M Grieve, A Modern Herbal: Mistletoe, Botanical.com

Dr. Alice B. Russell, Phoradendron leucarpum, Poisonous Plants of North Carolina