American mistletoe
Scientific names: Phoradendron leucarpum, Phoradendron flavescens, Phoradendron serontium, Viscum leucarpum, Viscum flavescens, Phoradendron macrophyllum, Phoradendron tomentosum
Family: Viscaceae
Alternate names: Eastern Mistletoe, Gui Américain, Gui de Chêne, Mistletoe, Muérdago Americano
Background
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.
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.
Safety Safety definitions
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.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: American mistletoe is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Avoid use.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using American mistletoe for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
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.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if American Mistletoe interacts with any medicines. Before taking American Mistletoe, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 17/12/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 15/07/2020 18:57:49. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
