Cape Mistletoe
2
CAPE MISTLETOE INDIGENOUS Viscum capense Lidjiestee, voelent (Afrikaans) ORIGIN OF PLANT / HABITAT V. capense is widely distributed in South Africa, but is particularly common in the Western & Eastern Cape. GROWTH This parasite grows on other shrubs and trees. The stems are yellowish-green and seemingly leafless, as the leaves are minute and scale-like. The stems are characteristically divided into short sections (Afrikaans: “lidjies” = joints). LEAF SHAPE The stems are yellowish-green and seemingly leafless, as the leaves are minute and scale-like. FLOWERS Minute white flowers. FRUIT / SEED Small white translucent berries of about 4mm in diameter. PARTS USED The whole plant is harvested, sometimes also the fruits. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Tannins and phenolic compounds are known from Viscum species, although nothing appears to be known about V. capense. High levels of flavonoids, of which viscumside A is an example, are present in different Viscum species. Complex viscotoxins and lectins are known from V. album. ACTIONS The antidiarrhoeal effects may be ascribed to astringent phenolics and tannins, several of which are known from other species of Viscum. The activity of the medicine may also be partly due the presence of high levels of flavonoids. Much attention has recently been given to the cytotoxicity of V. album, a traditional European medicine. A preparation of this plant is sold as an antitumour agent. The cytotoxicity of V. album is due to various viscotoxins (complex molecules with 46 amino acids) and lectins (such as viscumin, which is similar to ricin in its mode of action). MEDICINAL Externally – Diarrhoea, asthma, bronchitis, excessive or irregular menstruation
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Cape Mistletoe general information and therapeutic applications
Transcript of Cape Mistletoe
CAPE MISTLETOE INDIGENOUS
Viscum capense
Lidjiestee, voelent (Afrikaans)
ORIGIN OF PLANT / HABITAT
V. capense is widely distributed in South Africa, but is particularly common in the
Western & Eastern Cape.
GROWTH
This parasite grows on other shrubs and trees. The stems are yellowish-green and
seemingly leafless, as the leaves are minute and scale-like. The stems are
characteristically divided into short sections (Afrikaans: “lidjies” = joints).
LEAF SHAPE
The stems are yellowish-green and seemingly leafless, as the leaves are minute and
scale-like.
FLOWERS
Minute white flowers.
FRUIT / SEED
Small white translucent berries of about 4mm in diameter.
PARTS USED
The whole plant is harvested, sometimes also the fruits.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Tannins and phenolic compounds are known from Viscum species, although nothing
appears to be known about V. capense. High levels of flavonoids, of which
viscumside A is an example, are present in different Viscum species. Complex
viscotoxins and lectins are known from V. album.
ACTIONS
The antidiarrhoeal effects may be ascribed to astringent phenolics and tannins,
several of which are known from other species of Viscum. The activity of the
medicine may also be partly due the presence of high levels of flavonoids. Much
attention has recently been given to the cytotoxicity of V. album, a traditional
European medicine. A preparation of this plant is sold as an antitumour agent. The
cytotoxicity of V. album is due to various viscotoxins (complex molecules with 46
amino acids) and lectins (such as viscumin, which is similar to ricin in its mode of
action).
MEDICINAL Externally –
Diarrhoea, asthma, bronchitis, excessive or irregular menstruation
Internally –
Warts, stop bleeding
CULINARY Φ In some parts of the Karroo “lidjiestee” is still in daily use as a tonic.
INFO REF:
Φ Van Wyk, B.; Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 2000. Medicinal Plants of South
Africa.
Φ Van Wyk, B. & Gericke, N. 2000. People’s Plants: A guide to useful plants in
Southern Africa.
SPECIMEN COLLECTED – Private land, Uitenhage / Baviaanskloof area
DATE – 06/2003
