During the holidays, mistletoe steps into the spotlight as the kissing plant. Yet, behind the scenes, mistletoe has a Jekyl and Hyde personality.

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, which means it depends on other trees for water and nutrients. Yet, as if biting the hand that feeds it, mistletoe can weaken, or even kill its host. To add insult to injury, mistletoe’s berries and thick evergreen leaves are poisonous.

This bad rap never stopped its popularity throughout history though. Ancient beliefs hold that mistletoe sprang to life from bird droppings in the treetops. The Anglo Saxon word “misle” means dung and “tan” meant twig; thus mistletoe meant “dung on a twig,” not exactly the romantic connotation it now has.

The ancient Druids of Old Europe considered mistletoe to be sacred. They cut the plant from oak trees with a gold knife, and collected it on white sheets that were carried away by virgins.

As to its reputation as the kissing plant, mistletoe was known as an aphrodisiac and thought to increase fertility. No wonder it was used in wedding ceremonies. And in some parts of ancient Europe the plant was considered a sign of goodwill, love and peace. Warring parties would meet beneath it to resolve their conflicts.

Today, mistletoe’s reputation is improving, thanks to research conducted at the Mayo Clinic. The chemicals in the parasitic plant are being looked at as a way to boost the immune system and slow or stop growth of cancer.

That deserves a kiss.