Mistletoe Use at Christmas
During the holiday season, we always hear many songs with the word, “Mistletoe” included. Etymologists can only guess at the origin of the word itself. Of the variations of Mistletoe, all of them are parasitic plants (hemi-parasites) that utilize the resources of a host plant or tree, and have the potential to eradicate that plant.
Mistletoe was once considered an undesirable ecological phenomena until scientists realized that hundreds of species of nesting birds, as well as animals, benefit from its presence. Birds are responsible for pollinating the flowers of Mistletoe. Birds eat the plant’s white berries and distribute its seeds on the bark of trees, causing the spread of Mistletoe. The plant is found in Britain, North America, Australia, and Africa, and perhaps other locations.
Knowing all of that, how did mistletoe come to be associated with Christmas? The tradition of “kissing under the mistletoe” appears to be a transmutation of an old Scandanavian custom. Should enemies happen to meet under the mistletoe, they would call a truce for the day. So, today, should you want to be kissed, I suppose you could carry your own sprig of evergreen mistletoe and hold it over your head, when approaching your intended boyfriend or your beloved. 
Alas, all I have ever seen are the fake sprigs of Mistletoe that my mother used to hang from the beams in our living room at the farmhouse. If you happen to have the “real McCoy,” remember to not let children or animals ingest it. The plant’s leaves are poisonous, and if eaten, may cause severe abdominal distress and other adverse symptoms. Conversely, Mistletoe was considered, during earlier times, as a fertility aide, and today, scientists are finding ways to use it for medical benefits.
So you have seen, Mistletoe has had many responses to its existence. First considered a pest, it was later viewed as a safe haven for wildlife and birds. Considered poisonous, it has found medical uses in the past, and more are being developed. Most of all, Mistletoe is part of Christmas. To read a list of many songs in which it is mentioned, read the whole article from which I gleaned the above information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistletoe
Hope you are enjoying the Saturday before Christmas. In New Hampshire, it is a snowy day and we have a lot more snow on the way, predicted for tomorrow. I love learning about the history of our holiday customs. I hope you enjoyed this post about Mistletoe.
Patricia L. Cummings
Happy Holidays!
