Mistletoe, also called European Mistletoe, is a parasitic shrub that thrives among the branches of other trees, most notably poplar, oak, elm, apple, and hawthorn. This member of the sandalwood family is native to central Europe, with various sub-species distributed throughout western and Southeast Asia.Although the herb is traditionally used to prepare teas and tinctures, the fact that it contains a protein-binding agent that behaves similarly to ricin suggests that it’s best to limit mistletoe to decorative and ceremonial purposes.