Evidence supporting the use of: Mistletoe
For the health condition: Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Mistletoe (Viscum album and related species) has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, including for nervous system complaints such as restlessness and disturbed sleep. In folk medicine, mistletoe preparations were sometimes used as mild sedatives or to “calm the nerves,” especially in cases of insomnia associated with nervous tension or anxiety. However, there is minimal direct scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of mistletoe for sleep-related issues. Most scientific research on mistletoe focuses on its use in oncology (as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment) or cardiovascular conditions, not for sleep disturbances. The sedative use is thus primarily rooted in traditional knowledge and herbalist practice, rather than modern clinical trials or pharmacological studies. Additionally, mistletoe contains bioactive compounds (such as lectins and viscotoxins) that may affect the nervous system, but their impact on sleep specifically has not been well studied. Therefore, while traditional use exists, there is little scientific validation for mistletoe’s effectiveness for restless or disturbed sleep, and caution should be exercised due to potential toxicity, especially with berries and improper dosing.

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Products containing Mistletoe

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