Viscum album
Mistletoe
Viscum album, commonly known as European mistletoe, is a unique hemi-parasitic shrub that grows on various host trees. Traditionally used in folk medicine, it holds significant importance in herbalism. Modern research explores its bioactive compounds for potential applications in supporting the immune system and treating various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Viscum album
- Family: Santalaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Santalales, falling into the family Santalaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Viscum, specifically known by the species name Viscum album.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Santalales | WCVP |
| Family | Santalaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Viscum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Viscum album, is widely recognized by various names across different linguistic regions. In Chinese, its common names are consistent across several major dialects and regions, being referred to as 槲寄生 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans, zh-cn), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Cantonese/Hong Kong usage (zh-hk), and Singaporean Mandarin (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| pl | Jemioła pospolita | Wikidata |
| eu | Mihura | Wikidata |
| fr | gui des feuillus | Wikidata |
| be | Амяла белая | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the country of Denmark. Furthermore, its presence is well-documented across the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. The species also extends its reach into the Scandinavian territories of Norway. Finally, it is commonly distributed across the various regions of Sweden.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as mistletoe, is utilized in various traditional medicinal practices where the whole plant is often considered for its complex bioactive properties. In many herbal preparations, the planta tota is employed to ensure a complete profile of its constituent compounds. Specifically, the fresh mistletoe is frequently harvested to maintain high potency before it is processed into tinctures or extracts. While the entire organism is significant, the medicinal efficacy is often concentrated within the leaf structures, as the leaves contain the specific viscotoxins and lectins required for its pharmacological effects.- Total parts
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| planta tota | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fresh mistletoe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Viscum album extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Viscum album has 52 reported phytochemicals identified across 66 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lectin, VT, viscotoxin, ML1, arabinogalactan.
- Total chemicals
- 52
- Scientific sources
- 66
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lectin | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| VT | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| viscotoxin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ML1 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arabinogalactan | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| A-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| A-3 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-galacturonic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Viscum album has 13 reported activities identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Anticancer, Cytostatic, Antioxidant, Immunomodulator.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 36
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | 17 | ★★★★★ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytostatic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Immunomodulator | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Viscum album has 69 reported medicinal uses identified across 129 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, breast cancer, tumor, breast carcinoma, cardiovascular diseases.
- Total uses
- 69
- Scientific sources
- 129
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 36 | ★★★★★ |
| breast cancer | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| tumor | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| breast carcinoma | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leukemia | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Lewis lung carcinoma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epilepsy | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |