Mistletoe: the unlikely Christmas aphrodisiac
Dan Brawner
December 12, 2007
It may be cold outside. But during this holiday season, we experience many traditions that warm the heart–such as Christmas trees with lights all aglow, the mouth-watering smells of holiday cooking, and let’s not forget the romantic tradition of kissing under the poisonous, parasitic shrub.
I’m talking about mistletoe, of course. Mistletoe is a strange kind of evergreen that grows in tree branches and attaches to its host through a special root. For this reason, it is also know as the vampire plant. The mistletoe seeds end up in the upper branches because they are deposited there by birds. In ancient times in what is now England, people observed that mistletoe grows on branches where there are bird droppings. In Anglo Saxon, the word mistletoe literally means “poop twig”. Makes you want to pucker up and kiss somebody, doesn’t it?
The Druids, that mysterious order of ancient mystics, associated with Stonehenge, used mistletoe in their rituals and believed it was a cure-all, an antidote for poison (although it is, itself poisonous) and as a potion for making sterile animals fertile.
In Norse mythology, after her son Baldur was born, the goddess Frigga was told that if he should ever die, all life on earth would die too. Frigga made every animal and plant promise not to harm her son. But she forgot to talk to the mistletoe. The evil god Loki made an arrow out of mistletoe and killed Baldur and that, boys and girls, is why we have winter. But Frigga convinced the other gods to bring Baldur back from the dead for the three remaining seasons. From that point on, mortals were so grateful, whenever they would come upon a mistletoe in the woods, they rejoiceed and kissed. In ancient times, if enemies met in the forest near a mistletoe, they would put up their arms and vow not to fight again until the following day. But they weren’t obliged to actually kiss each other.
Mistletoe is a weird, homely, toxic parasite, born in a bird dropping, a blight on apple and oak trees. In spite of the lore, it’s not really good for anything. But once a year, around Christmas, after its host tree has lost its leaves, the bright green mistletoe produces festive berries and becomes the center of attention. Mistletoe is a reminder that there is hope even in the darkest times. And if, during your Christmas party this year, you see a sprig of mistletoe above the door–try to forget everything I just said about it and kiss somebody.
I’m talking about mistletoe, of course. Mistletoe is a strange kind of evergreen that grows in tree branches and attaches to its host through a special root. For this reason, it is also know as the vampire plant. The mistletoe seeds end up in the upper branches because they are deposited there by birds. In ancient times in what is now England, people observed that mistletoe grows on branches where there are bird droppings. In Anglo Saxon, the word mistletoe literally means “poop twig”. Makes you want to pucker up and kiss somebody, doesn’t it?
The Druids, that mysterious order of ancient mystics, associated with Stonehenge, used mistletoe in their rituals and believed it was a cure-all, an antidote for poison (although it is, itself poisonous) and as a potion for making sterile animals fertile.
In Norse mythology, after her son Baldur was born, the goddess Frigga was told that if he should ever die, all life on earth would die too. Frigga made every animal and plant promise not to harm her son. But she forgot to talk to the mistletoe. The evil god Loki made an arrow out of mistletoe and killed Baldur and that, boys and girls, is why we have winter. But Frigga convinced the other gods to bring Baldur back from the dead for the three remaining seasons. From that point on, mortals were so grateful, whenever they would come upon a mistletoe in the woods, they rejoiceed and kissed. In ancient times, if enemies met in the forest near a mistletoe, they would put up their arms and vow not to fight again until the following day. But they weren’t obliged to actually kiss each other.
Mistletoe is a weird, homely, toxic parasite, born in a bird dropping, a blight on apple and oak trees. In spite of the lore, it’s not really good for anything. But once a year, around Christmas, after its host tree has lost its leaves, the bright green mistletoe produces festive berries and becomes the center of attention. Mistletoe is a reminder that there is hope even in the darkest times. And if, during your Christmas party this year, you see a sprig of mistletoe above the door–try to forget everything I just said about it and kiss somebody.