American Mistletoe
OTHER NAME(S): Eastern Mistletoe, Gui Américain, Gui de Chêne, Mistletoe, Phoradendron leucarpum, Phoradendron flavescens, Phoradendron serontium, Viscum leucarpum, Viscum flavescens, Phoradendron macrophyllum, Phoradendron tomentosum, Muérdago Americano, Gui américain
Overview
American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is a plant native to the US and Mexico. Its flower, fruit, leaf, and stem are used as medicine.
American mistletoe contains a chemical called phoratoxin, which can affect the muscles and cause potentially toxic effects.
People sometimes use American mistletoe for constipation, low blood pressure, ending a pregnancy (abortion), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using American mistletoe can also be unsafe.
Don't confuse American mistletoe with European mistletoe. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for American Mistletoe overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: American mistletoe is possibly unsafe. All American mistletoe plant parts are considered poisonous, but some reports suggest that eating up to 20 berries or 5 leaves might not cause serious adverse effects. Still, there is a report of death following American mistletoe use. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: American mistletoe is possibly unsafe. All American mistletoe plant parts are considered poisonous, but some reports suggest that eating up to 20 berries or 5 leaves might not cause serious adverse effects. Still, there is a report of death following American mistletoe use. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: American mistletoe is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for American Mistletoe overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of American mistletoe might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
- Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis J. American mistletoe exposures. Am J Emerg Med 1997;15:516-20.
- Hall, A. H., Spoerke, D. G., and Rumack, B. H. Assessing mistletoe toxicity. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1986;15(11):1320-1323.
- Spiller, H. A., Willias, D. B., Gorman, S. E., and Sanftleban, J. Retrospective study of mistletoe ingestion. J.Toxicol.Clin.Toxicol. 1996;34(4):405-408.
- Moore HW. Mistletoe poisoning: a review of the available literature, and the report of a case of probable fatal poisoning. J S Carolina Med Assoc 1963;59(8):269-271.
- Reveal, Johnst MC. U.S. Taxon: Phoradendron leucarpum (Raf.) National Plant Germplasm System. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=400661. Accessed May 28, 2020.