ISTRIAN BISKA – YELLOW MISTLETOE

 HERBAL SPIRIT BISKA

Traditional spirit made from yellow mistletoe from oak
(Loranthus europaeus)

 Special recognition

Gold Award with Knight
Brkini Market – Spirits and Liqueurs Evaluation, 2025

 Important botanical and safety clarification

Biska is prepared using yellow mistletoe (Loranthus europaeus), which:

• grows exclusively on oak trees,

• is deciduous (its leaves fall off in winter),

• bears yellow berries,

• is clearly distinct from the commonly known white, evergreen mistletoe (Viscum album).

 The berries of yellow mistletoe are toxic and potentially fatal.
They are NOT used, NOT consumed, and NOT included in any preparation.

In traditional practice, only young shoots and leaves are used, and only during a very specific growth period when the plant begins to sprout anew. Such use requires extensive knowledge, experience, and deep respect for the plant.

 Traditional and historical context

In Celtic, Istrian, and Karst traditions, yellow mistletoe from oak was regarded as a particularly significant plant. It was associated with balance, protection, and natural strength, and was used in ritual and herbal preparations.

Biska was traditionally consumed only in very small quantities, on special occasions, and never as an everyday drink.

 White mistletoe in conventional medicine – contextual note

For broader context, it is important to note that extracts of white mistletoe (Viscum album) are used in Germany and Switzerland as part of complementary oncology care, in the form of pharmaceutically standardised preparations (e.g. Iscador, Helixor), exclusively under medical supervision.

This information is provided for contextual understanding only and does not imply that biska has the same purpose, effect, or medical use.

 Detailed description

Biska brings together ancient plant knowledge, natural cycles, and the tradition of herbal spirits. Its value lies not in medical claims, but in its cultural, historical, and ethnobotanical heritage.

The use of yellow mistletoe from oak requires exceptional precision and care, as it is a plant of strong symbolism and inherent risk if misused. For this reason, biska is a spirit that is approached with respect, enjoyed slowly, and consumed in moderation.

The gold award received in 2025 confirms the quality of production and the careful adherence to traditional methods.

 Warnings

• alcoholic beverage

• consume responsibly and exclusively in moderation

• not suitable for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women

• not a medicine and not intended to treat disease

• keep out of reach of children

 Sources

European Ethnobotany – Loranthus europaeus
German Commission E (mistletoe species comparison)
Alpine & Istrian herbal traditions
European traditional distillation practices
National Cancer Institute (NCI) – Mistletoe extracts (context for Viscum album)