Headline : Mistletoe: a Christmas symbol with a hidden gift of healing

Read more from the original article on here at theconversation.com.

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It’s a cold December evening. The air is filled with laughter and carols, and homes glow with festive lights. Amid the seasonal decorations, sprigs of mistletoe hang in doorways, inviting warm exchanges of affection. For centuries, mistletoe has symbolised love, peace and healing, becoming a cherished part of Christmas traditions. But beyond its romantic reputation, mistletoe carries a remarkable scientific story – one that offers hope in the fight against cancer.

European mistletoe (Latin name Viscum album) has been valued for over 2,000 years, especially for its medicinal benefits. Many of its uses, such as treating diabetes, pain, inflammation, irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure, were recognised in traditional medicine across Europe, Asia and Africa and are still used in some countries today.

Mistletoe is also famous as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. It was once seen as a magical plant in pagan traditions and used in rituals by Celtic druids.

Mistletoe is a source of many compounds that have been considered to possess medicinal properties. Mistletoe also contains proteins called lectins, that bind to carbohydrates on the cells and help cells to communicate with each other.

Read more from the original article on here at theconversation.com.

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