GET TO KNOW MISTLETOE

Here are some Surprising Facts about MISTLETOE. . .

I'm sure at one time or another in your life you either kissed someone or were kissed under the mistletoe! Well just so you know Mistletoe is much more than a cluster of berries that inspires the courage to kiss. Mistletoe is actually a parasite, yep it's true! It steals the nutrients it needs from the tree it grows on. It's berries can cause illiness, so be sure to treat real mistletoe you come in contact with with caution. Here are some other little known facts about mistletoe:

There are two types of mistletoe. The one we see most often around the holidays is native to North America and grows on trees in many parts of the U.S. The other type is of European origin.

A mistletoe infestation can kill the host tree. Some tree species though, seem to be resistant to the so-called charisma of this partial parasite. Bradford flowering pears, sycamores, redwoods, and cedar trees are rarely infested.

Druids used mistletoe as a charm. It was believed to offer protection from evil and was used to create cures called potions. In modern times midtletoe has been promoted as a folk cure for cancer. However, numerous studies have found no support for its efficacy against the disease.

The tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe may arise from Norse mythology. Count your kisses because legend has it, you can steal only so many kisses beneath the mistletoe. For every smooch, you're suppose to remove one berry. Once all berries are gone so is the opportunity to pucker up. . .