MULLEIN

Medicinal Uses

bronchitis

whooping cough

chills

congestion

seasonal allergies

sinusitis

asthma

tuberculosis

headaches

earache

pulmonary disease

Meniere's disease/ vertigo

hemorrhoids

bruising

swelling

muscle aches

swollen glands

goiter (enlarged thyroid)

swollen prostate

burns

nerve trauma

herpes simplex

urinary incontinence

cystitis

bladder infections

Bell's Palsy

spinal misalignment

dental treatment

rectal prolapse

diabetes

frostbite

Mullein is primarily known as a remedy for respiratory imbalances. It tones and soothes mucous membranes while encouraging expectoration. It has a paradoxical drying, clearing and soothing, moistening action, combined with a slightly aromatic pungency. As a dry, cooling and pungent herb, it can disperse edema, sluggish congestion and heat, and its mucilaginous quality can soothe dry harsh inflamed conditions. Anything 'lung', mullein is a safe and often effective approach - but it is not limited to respiratory issues.

The flowers have nervine and analgesic qualities in addition to being anti-inflammatory. Mullein flower oil is best-known as an earache remedy that is gentle and effective for children and adults, and this oil can also be used topically on any inflammation or nerve pain. Mullein flower oil or mullein leaf salve can also be a useful remedy for hemorrhoids.

The leaf as a poultice can be helpful in cases of bruising, swelling, muscle aches, swollen glands, burns, and nerve trauma. It may help broken bones to set and heal effectively. Mullein can be soothing for inflammation of the eyes. The root, though less commonly used, is a good wound-healing herb that is thought to most useful for acute pain.

Mullein root can also be used as a long term tonic for individuals with urinary incontinence, recurring bladder infections, interstitial cystitis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Mullein flower extracts inhibit the growth of influenza viruses by stimulating interferon-like activity

Mullein is also surprisingly affective at correcting spinal misalignment. "It has a moistening, lubricating effect on the synovial membranes making it hydrating to the spine and joints and is often indicated for back injuries. People often believe that spinal issues are untreatable and incurable, but the increase in synovial fluids that mullein creates helps to make the spine more pliable and comfortable allowing the vertebra to slip back into place more easily while decreasing pain and inflammation", says Matthew Wood.

Rotenone is a fish poison and very effective insecticide originally of plant origin but recently synthetically produced. It occurs in mullein seeds and seed capsules, as well as in the leaves. This allows mullein seeds to be used to quell human ectoparasites particularly lice and scabies. Fatal rotenone poisoning causes respiratory failure. Mild rotenone poisoning from inhaled mullein smoke may be spasmolytic for asthmatics and chronic bronchitis, suppressing the cough reflex and acting as a local anodyne for inflamed ear canals. Rotenone is more toxic when inhaled than when ingested.

Mullein tones and soothes irritated lungs and speeds healing of damaged tissues, which can help lungs damaged by smoking to recover. Mullein is a traditional smoking herb as well, which could be used as a tobacco substitute in order to help smokers quit.

Constituents

Polysaccharides
Iridoid glycosides, including harpagoside, harpagide and aucubin (especially in the leaf)
Phenylethanoid glycosides
Flavonoids, including 3'-methylquercitin, hesperidin and verbascoside
Saponins
Volatile oil
Phenolic compounds
Carotenoids
Terpenoids
Mucilage
Coumarins
Potassium
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorous
Zinc
Selenium
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Energetics/ Organoleptics

The root is warming, drying, astringent and bitter; the leaves and flowers are cooling, moistening, astringent and bitter. Flower is cool and neutral.

Taste is mildly bitter and the leaves have a pleasant, sleepy sort of smell. The root has a soapy taste and the flowers are fragrant and taste sweet,

Contraindictions

Not for use during pregnancy or lactation.
Mullein has been reported to inhibit the effectiveness of anti-diabetic drugs.
The seeds of some Mullein plants are considered toxic.
There have been some case reports of people developing contact dermatitis from Mullen plants.

History

The Verbascum is derived from Latin word meaning barbascum barba or beard (Jankowiak, 1976) referring to the plant's beard-like filaments
The term Thapsus may have been derived from the Siclian isle, Thapsos where mullein was gathered in ancient times or from the Tunisian Island "Thapsus".
"Thapsos" is a Greek word representing the yellow flower of the plant which was used by Roman woman to dye their hair blonde/ yellow.
The word mullein is derived from the Latin mollis, meaning "soft" which is synonymous with woolen.
According to old herbalists, if someone holds a part of the plant it has the ability to keep away evil spirits and terrors (Muenscher, 1935; DeBray, 1978).
It was famously known to Greeks that Ulysses took this plant with him to protect him against the wiles of Circe (DeBray, 1978).
Greeks, Romans and the people of Western United States used it as candle or torch at funerals or other holy ceremonies (Muenscher, 1935).
The people of Rome and Ireland called it "lungwort" because of its effective use to cure lung disease in both humans and livestock (Muenscher, 1935; DeBray, 1978).
Emotionally it is said to help you gain the ability to hear your inner voice and for those who struggle with indecisiveness, gain truth and insight.
It is also said to help individuals when they are wrestling with their own conscience.
Mullein tincture can help provide focus and grounding to people who feel they have lost their way; when they feel disjointed, confused and have a sense of being abandoned.

Common Names

Adam's flannel, Aaron's rod, Beggar's blanket, Beggar's stalk, Big taper, Blanket leaf, Bullock's lungwort, Punchon, Gordolobo, Indian toilet paper, Flannel flower, Candlewick plant, Clot, Clown's lungwort, Common mullein, Cuddy's lungs, Duffle, Feltwort, Flannel mullein, Flannel plant, Flannel leaf, Fluffweed, Golden rod, Hare's beard, Hag's taper, Jacob's staff, Jupiter's staff, White mullein, Mullein dock, Old man's flannel, Our lady's flannel, Peter's staff, Rag paper, Shepherd's staff, Shepherd's clubs, Torches, Velvet dock, Velvet plant, Woollen and Wild ice leaf, Lady`s candle, Lady`s flannel, Our Lady`s taper, Lady`s candle stick, Virgin Mary`s candle, Wooly mullein and Hag`s Taper.

Botanical Name

Verbascum thapsis

Family

Scrophularaceae (figwort family)

Parts Used

Flowers, leaves and root

Therapeutic Actions

analgesic

anti-inflammatory

antitussive

antiseptic

antispasmodic

antiviral

antimicrobial

anti-hyperlipidemic

anticancer

cytotoxic

diuretic

emollient

lymphatic

sedative

spasmolytic,

vulnerary

pectoral

tonic

Proper Use

For future therapeutic use, mullein leaves (and stems) should be dried to crispness.
When harvesting both first and second year mullein leaves, carefully examine each leaf to check for mold and decay on the leaf undersides, and reject moldy leaves.
Mullein leaves, stems, and most of the floral parts are covered with short thin bristles that are extreme irritants to the human respiratory tract and conjunctiva. For teas and tinctures, strained or filtered the hairs thoroughly.
A poultice made from the seeds and leaves can be used to draw out splinters.
Topically, ointments or a poultice of the leaves is a good healer of burns and wounds and can also be applied to tumors and piles.
Infusion of the flowers in olive oil can be used as earache drops which have strong anti-bacterial properties (Bown, 1995; Chevallier, 1996).
Prepared as a tincture Red Root and Mullein flowers can treat an abscess in the ear canal resolving the pain and swelling quickly.
The flower oil also has a reputation for treating deafness arising from the accumulation of wax. The oil helps to clear the obstruction and it can be used to treat ear mites in animals.
An infusion or tea of the plant can be taken internally in the treatment of a wide range of chest and abdominal complaints including productive cough and diarrhea (Bown, 1995; Chevallier, 1996; Murad et al., 2011).
A decoction of the seeds can be used to soothe chilblains and chapped skin (Chiej, 1984).
The juice of the plant and powder made from the dried roots is said to quickly remove rough warts.
A decoction of the roots is said to relieve menstrual cramps and convulsions (Grieve, 1981).

Formulary

An infused oil of Mullein flowers is highly effective at treating an ear infection, easing pain and speeding recovery time.

Ear Oil Recipe

Find an abundance of flowering Mullein, pick many flowers and let them wilt for a few hours to reduce their moisture content
Put them in a small mason jar and fill to the brim with oil
Set the jar, tightly capped, in the sun for a month or two, and then strain the oil into clean bottles.
Apply oil with a Q-tip

Mullein flower oil is often combined with infused Garlic oil (which is antibacterial and antiviral)

Breath Easy Tea

1 part Mullein leaves and/or root

1 part Elder flower

1 part Wild Cherry Bark

½ part Licorice Root

½ part Marshmallow leaf

Steep 3 tsp. of tea per 1 cup of water for 20-25 minutes. Drink as often as needed until cough subsides. This will also help loosen mucus and phlegm.

Sinus Chest Oil Recipe

½ cup Mullein infused oil

¼ tsp. Eucalyptus essential oil

1/8 tsp. Thyme and Tea Tree essential oil

Shake before using. Apply underneath nose, on throat, chest and back.

Combine mullein with Lobelia for asthma.
Combine mullein with plantain when the lungs have been exposed to toxins or irritants.
Mullein can be applied as a compress to any instance of glandular swelling. Use mullein leaves to make a strong decoction, then use that water decoction to wet more mullein leaves and then apply them externally to the swelling. Ingest mullein internally as well to give it the one-two punch.

Cultivation

A silver wooly-leaved biennial with soft leaves that form a basal rosette near the ground during the first year, and extend a tall staff-like flowering stalk in the second year. Leaves are broad alternating & lance-shaped with bases fused against the stem. Leaves are very large at the bottom of the plant, growing smaller as they approach the flowers. The yellow flowers have five petals and are tucked into a dense, tall, rounded spike emerging from the center of the rosette of leaves.

The leaves of both the first year and second year plant may be harvested before the flower stalk shoots up.
Be sure to allow them to thoroughly dry – the petioles can take up to 4 weeks to dry completely (Drum, 2005).
Flowers may be harvested as the open in the summer.
The root is harvested from first year plants.
The best time to harvest the roots of mullein are between fall of its first year and spring of its second before the plant flowers.
Michael Moore suggests harvesting the flowers individually off of the plant despite how time consuming it is.
As for the leaves of the plant, the large basal leaves of the second year are the best quality.

Dosage

Infused oil – use ½ cup oil with 1 cup of Mullen blossoms in a double boiler. Boil over low heat for at least three hours.
Tea – use about 1 tbsp dried Mullen leaves or flowers and in 8oz of just boiled water, let steep for at least 20 minutes, and drink three times per day.
Tincture – 2.5-5 mL of 1:5 ratio in 40% water three times per day
Syrup – use a tea infusion and then add honey and brown sugar and heat until it thickens.
Smoked - use the dried leaves of Mullein for smoking.

Research & References

Klimek, B. (1996). 6'-O-apiosyl-verbascoside in the flowers of mullein (Verbascum species). Acta Pol Pharm 53(2):137140.

Grieve, M. (1981). A Modern Herbal. vol. 2. Dover publications, Inc, New York, pp. 562-566.

Halvorson, W.L., Guertin, P. (2003). Factsheet for: Verbascum thapsus L. University of Arizona, Biological Sciences East Tucson, Arizona, USA

Lans, C., Turner, N., Khan, T. (2008). Medicinal plant treatments for fleas and ear problems of cats and dogs.British Columbia, Canada. Parasitol. Res. 103, 889-898.

Slagowska, A., Zgorniak-Nowosielska, J. Grzybek. (1987). Inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication by Flos verbasci infusion. Pol J Pharmacol Pharm 39(1):5561.

Wichtl, M. and Bisset, N.G. (1994). Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.

Zgorniak-Nowosielska, I., J. Grzybek, N. Manolova, J. Serkedjieva, B. Zawilinska. (1991). Antiviral activity of Flos verbasci infusion against influenza and Herpes simplex viruses. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 39(12):103108.