Abstract:
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemi parasitic plants which are distributed worldwide,
which contains chlorophyll pigments and they carry out photosynthesis for some extent from their
life cycle to make their own food. Many species of these parasitic plants from different families
Loranthaceae, Santalaceae and Misodendraceae are called as mistletoe. Especially from the genera
Viscum from family Santalaceae bear evergreen fleshy stem and leaves that carries photosynthesis
within. The genus Viscum comprises approximately 100 species that are mainly distributed across
Africa, Asia and Europe. It has a wide variety of biologically active compounds therefore the
extracts and different preparations of Viscum species are widely used as common complementary
and alternative medicines in the treatment of rheumatism, cancer and many other diseases.
This review aims to explore genus Viscum regarding botanical behaviour and potential therapeutic
applications
