The tradition of kissing underneath the Mistletoe was brought to America from England. The Druids and ancient Celts are said to have cut Mistletoe from the Sacred Oaks to distribute to the people as magical charms. Mistletoe is a parasitic woody perennial native to Europe and the S/E United States. The plant can actually kill the tree that it feeds and grows upon. Its favorite host tree species is the oak. The berries of Mistletoe are very toxic, but the plant was used as an herb by those frivolous Celts and Druids, who also believed the plant was useful as an aphrodisiac. I guess this explains why the English used Mistletoe as a Christmas decoration and established the tradition for lovers to “kiss under the Mistletoe” since it was probably
