American mistletoe

American mistletoe Phoradendron flavescens Hypertension and hypertensive crisis... 

Krenzelok EE, Jacobsen TD, and Aronis J (1997) American mistletoe exposures. American Journal of Emergency Medicine 15 516-520. 

Representative Chemicals Ricin Other toxalbumins with similar ricin-like properties Abrus pre-catorius (jequirty pea, rosary pea), Trichosanthes spp. (Chinese cucumber), Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), Phoradendron spp. (American mistletoe), Viscum spp. (European mistletoe), and Wisteria spp. (wisteria)... 

It was reported that American mistletoe Phoradendronflavescens) and its European counterpart (Viscum album) are being smdied. The twigs and leaves contain the active components against cancer. An extract also performs as a chemotherapy agent. (Walters, 1993, contains a chapter Mistletoe, as does Moss, 1992, but under the heading Iscador. Pelton and Overholzer, 1994, also include a chapter.)... 

American mistletoe has been used as an emetic for ritual purposes. No information on doses used is available (Moerman 1998). 

A reference ethnobotanical text indicates that American mistletoe has been used as an abortifacient and as a "medicine for pregnant women" (Moerman 1998). In the early 1900s, American mistletoe was reportedly used to stimulate uterine contractions (Wood and LaWall 1926). 

No information on the safety of American mistletoe during lactation was identified in the scientific or traditional literature. While this review did not identify any concerns for use while nursing, safety has not been conclusively established, and this substance is not recommended for use except under the supervision of an expert qualified in its appropriate use. 

Of the approximately 1860 exposures to American mistletoe listed in reviews of information reported to poison control centers, none were fatal (Hall et al. 1986 Krenzelok et al. 1997 Spiller et al. 1996). Other literature reports two fatal cases. One patient drank an unspecified amount of American mistletoe (part not specified), although symptoms and events leading to the fatality were not available. A woman who ingested an unspecified amount of berries in an attempted abortion developed abdominal pain, hypoventilation, and died from cardiovascular collapse (Hall et al. 1986 Moore 1963). 

Studies completed in the early 1900s indicated that injections of American mistletoe produced a hypertensive effect (Crawford 1911 Wood and LaWall 1926). An ethnobotanical text reports use of American mistletoe as a hypotensive (Moerman 1998). 

No information on the safety of American mistletoe during lactation was identified. 

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