What Is A Mullein Plant Good For?
Perhaps you were browsing herbal teas, or a friend recommended mullein to you, this plant is very common and can have major health benefits – but what actually is it? Mullein, or Verbascum Thapsus, is a plant that has been used throughout history to treat respiratory ailments or any other general illnesses. The plant can range from wild mullein to the common mullein plant; often people use the mullein flower or leaves for tea. The plant is also used in topical solutions, oils and sometimes smoked to relieve symptoms such as pain, ease breathing and to control earaches. Mullein has been credited to have antiviral and antibacterial properties, which can benefit the user’s health, making it a very popular herbal alternative.
How Do You Grow Mullein?
The mullein herb is a common plant and is relatively easy to grow, some states consider it an invasive weed – but there are 300 variations of it and many of these are hybrids bred for the home making them less invasive than common mullein. Mullein can come in many types, for example common mullein, turkey mullein, woolly mullein and even wild mullein. Be careful not to confuse Lamb’s Ear with mullein though, mullein grows a central stalk with blossoms, whereas Lamb’s Ear grows and produces pink/purple flowers.
When considering growing mullein, remember that it needs space to grow. Mullein can grow from six to ten feet tall and can also spread into the landscape, so make sure you remove any fuzzy rosettes that appear on the crop. Also, remember to remove the flower stalk before any of the seeds disperse so that a widespread seeding is prevented. Growing a mullein weed can add aesthetic visuals to your garden and also provide you with natural ingredients to herbal home remedies.
Is Mullein Good For The Lungs?
The mullein herb is often reported as being good for the lungs and helping to relieve symptoms of many illnesses. This is due to a long history in North America where it was used in the Civil War within tea. It can help relieve conditions such as asthma, as the mullein tea can work by reducing inflammation and relaxing muscles in the respiratory tract. This is beneficial to any asthma sufferers as coughing and wheezing are relieved. The mullein plant’s flowers and leaves can also be used to treat bronchitis, tonsillitis, tuberculosis and pneumonia. Some also report mullein can help with pain relief, so most administer the herbal remedy through mullein tea.
Is Mullein Poisonous?
Mullein is not reported as poisonous in such forms mentioned, however the seeds can be. Grazing animals do not eat common mullein seeds as they are covered with tiny hairs that can irritate the throat and mucous membranes of animals. If you are making mullein tea or mullein oil from scratch, be aware of the small hairs on the plant and be sure to steep the tea with a cloth and to remove any dead plant matter before consuming. These hairs can irritate humans too if consumed.
Mullein Leaf Benefits & Uses
The uses of common mullein are very versatile, many use it for it’s beneficial medicinal qualities or even as a stress reliever (through mullein tea). Mullein today is usually used in tea form or in a mullein flower oil, these can be homemade or purchased at most commercial stores.
In the past it has had many other uses, in the past leaves of the common mullein plant have been used as toilet paper as they are large and soft. They were even placed inside shoes as a sort of insole as they provided warmth and softness. Even the Romans used the dried mullein leaves for torches (after they’d been dipped in tallow), before people started using the mullein leaves as lamp wicks too. There are even legends that detail how mullein leaf torches were used to repel witches, leaving the common mullein plant with the name ‘hag taper’.
Antiviral
There have been various test-tube studies taken with mullein that suggest it has antiviral properties. One test-tube study analyzed several medicinal herbs and found mullein extract one to be quite effective against the influenza virus. This helps build the case that mullein is very good for fighting any respiratory illnesses. Another of the test-tube studies shows how mullein extract can fight pseudorabies (a virus in the herpes family), proving that mullein can have antiviral benefits. However, human research is needed with mullein before any conclusive result can be made.
Antibacterial
Mullein is also reported to have antibacterial properties too, a test-tube experiment noted that mullein extract inhibited several types of bacteria (including Bacillus cereus) which commonly occur in soil and foods. This finding was backed up by another test-tube study, which found that mullein could also reduce the growth of certain types of bacteria that cause infections. Limited human research is available on mullein, but one study on 180 children found that the plant might treat ear infections – which can be caused by bacteria. This study concluded that mullein and other herbal extract administered three times daily could reduce ear pain by an average of 93%.
Side effects
From research and reports from users, it seems that most humans can take mullein safely and with little risk of side effects. One of the main side effects reported is from the small hairs on the plant, these can irritate your throat if the mullein leaf tea is not thoroughly strained before drinking. It is also noted that some may experience skin irritation from exposure to the plant – so caution should be taken if you’re handling the mullein plant directly. Also, if you intend to use mullein oil or apply the mullein leaves topically, make sure to patch test on a smaller amount of skin first to see if there is a reaction. Consult medical advice if necessary.
Risks
There has been no research into the safety of consuming mullein or mullein tea when pregnant or breastfeeding, so always consult a doctor before trying out any herbal remedies. If unsure about any new treatment make sure to consult a physician or healthcare provider before doing so.
Verbascum Thapsus
Verbascum Thapsus, or great mullein, is a statuesque biennial with a wide distribution throughout north Africa, Asia and Europe. The plant has a rosette of large, silvery leaves in its first year and these become covered with a dense layer of furry hairs.
In the plant’s second year, a tall flower emerges which bears numerous yellow flowers. The mullein plant can be found growing on disturbed soils where the seeds have been able to germinate. The best way to grow common mullein is in a sunny, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. The plant can be easily over crowded and it will outcompete when it doesn’t have much space, so take this into account when planting. It’s suitable for herbaceous border and gravel gardens, propagate by seed or division in spring. No pruning is needed, however it may be attacked by caterpillars and figwort weevils.
Mullein Plant Medicinal Uses
Mullein is very versatile when it comes to medicinal uses, it’s most known use is for respiratory issues – such as chest colds, bronchitis and asthma. Most take mullein tea to relieve these issues, the mullein leaf tea can be slightly bitter and the tea of the flowers is usually sweeter. The leaves and the flowers both contain mucilage, which is soothing to any irritated membranes. It also includes saponins which can make coughs more productive. The mullein plant is reported as antiviral and antibacterial too.
The mullein flower oil is also sometimes used for topical applications. In North America the Cherokee would rub mullein leaves onto their armpits to soothe rashes. Leaves are also used to treat minor bruises, rheumatic pains and hemorrhoids. Mullein flower oil or mullein drops are also used for treating earaches and clearing blockages within the earn canals. Topical applications of mullein leaves even extend to cosmetic uses, such as softening the skin or reddening the cheeks with mullein plant leaves.
Varieties of mullein
Mullein comes in many different varieties for unique uses. The list blow outlines the most well known varieties of mullein.
- moth mullein
- mullein weed
- turkey mullein
- woolly mullein
- wild mullein
- verbascum mullein
- common mullein plant
- greek mullein
- mullein verbascum thapsus plant
- ornamental mullein
- mullein herb plant
- olympian mullein
- purple mullein
- verbascum blattaria moth mullein
- yellow moth mullein
- black mullein
- silver mullein
How To Make Mullein Tea
It’s easy to find pre-packaged mullein tea bags in many health stores, markets and online shops – these often sell mullein in dried form, extracts or capsules too. However, if you’re interested in growing and making your own mullein you’re not alone. Some people choose to grow mullein for medicinal uses at home rather than buy pre packaged tea.
To make mullein tea, dry the mullein plant leaves and add a handful of them to a cup of boiling water. Allow the leaves to steep for 15-30 minutes, depending on how rich you want the tea. Make sure you use a strainer or cloth to remove as many of the leaves as possible, if not the mullein plant material can irritate your throat due to it’s tiny hairs. Add cinnamon, lemon or raw honey to taste.