Mistletoe was already used as a medicinal herb in the time of the Druids, and to this day it is also considered a symbol of love. You can kiss under its hung branches at Christmas time. When dried, mistletoe is a tea herb.
How and when should you optimally dry mistletoe?
To dry mistletoe, collect it between autumn and spring, cut off young leaves and shoots and clean them thoroughly. Remove all berries, hang the mistletoe in a dry, warm and airy place and then store it in a dark and dry place.
When should I dry mistletoe?
Mistletoe is particularly easy to collect in autumn or winter, when the trees on which the mistletoe grows have shed their leaves. Collecting is often not recommended in January and February due to the lack of healing properties. When new growth begins in spring, finding it in the green tree crown becomes more difficult again. Accordingly, you should collect and dry mistletoe between autumn and spring.
What do you do with dried mistletoe?
Dried mistletoe can be used to prepare a tea that is said to have a variety of effects. Unlike other herbs, mistletoe tea is prepared as a cold extract. When the herb is heated, the toxins it contains can dissolve and pass into the tea. This must be avoided at all costs! Poultices with mistletoe tea are said to relieve varicose veins and eczema and also help with rheumatism pain.
Tip
For regular internal use, we recommend buying mistletoe tea at the pharmacy, where the active ingredient concentration should be checked.
How is mistletoe dried?
Only cut young mistletoe leaves and shoots and clean them thoroughly. You also remove all the berries; they are not dried. Hang the dry items in a dry, warm and airy place. An attic is often well suited. After drying, the herb should be stored in a dry and dark place. Moisture makes it moldy easily.
The most important things in brief:
- collect between autumn and spring, not when there is frost
- Do not damage host tree
- Cut the collected items into small pieces
- hang in a dry and warm place
- Attention: raw mistletoe is considered slightly toxic
- keep dry and protected from light
- use only in small doses, for example externally for rheumatism pain
- For internal use it is better to use tea from the pharmacy
Tip
If you would like to collect mistletoe in nature, then this is generally permitted for private use. However, be sure to avoid damaging the host tree.
