Christmastime, Mistletoe and Wine

There is more to Christmastime than the rejoicings, carols and the decorations. That something may also include some cursory look on what certain decorations can do to badly impact on your Yuletide health. This round; it is mistletoe and wine.

Christmastime

Although festive, Christmastime is best celebrated—unlike most festivities such as Pit Señor (although it is a feast of the Child Jesus) because of the mardigras dancing associated with Sinulog—that is, not so much with lots of dancing, but with more solemn times together with the family, talking about the events of the year; oftentimes with lola and lolo around.

It is especially during Christmas that we finally have the time to renew our spirits, calm our nerves, and celebrate the blessing we receive the whole year round. It is where health supposed to be at its most pampered time.

Mistletoe

Viscum album is a tree parasitic plant that had medicinal properties only lately better documented.

In 2006, the Serin study, published in Clinical Chemistry journal, confirmed that mistletoe can inhibit intestinal peristalsis (movement of the intestines), making it a valuable treatment against colic. It has been used to treat prostate cancer, according to the Auerbach study in the same year (results published in the Journal of Men’s Health and Gender).

Studies on mice show that... [READ MORE]

This article appears in SunStar Cebu on 21 December 2011.

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