wild mullein
verbascum thapsus
Great Mullein is a wonderful plant for the people. Native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia, and is introduced to the Americas and Australia. Mullein is a fuzzy-leafed biennial that can grow beyond 2 meters tall. During the first year, this plant grows a “basal rosette” of leaves at the ground level. The following season, they throw up a tall flowering stem with many flowers which bloom at different times all along its tall stalk. The leaves grow spirally and are extremely hairy, and the flowers are bright yellow (in most species) with five petals, resembling a star.
Lungs
Mullein has long been used for it’s medicinal qualities in many different cultures. It can be used both internally and externally for a variety of ailments, especially related to the Respiratory System. Mullein has a long history of use to treat ailments of the lungs and is extremely powerful. Both the Mullein leaf and flower contain mucilage, which is soothing to irritated membranes within the lungs. Mullein also contains saponins, which can make a cough more productive to help get out the gunk stuck inside. Research of the plant has shown that Mullein has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and that infusions made from the flowers have strong antiviral properties as well.
Mullein can be used for bronchitis, asthma, coughs due to air pollutants, pain from smoking too much, colds and upper respiratory infection. It can be drank as a tea, nourishing herbal infusion, a tincture and even smoked to relieve irritation of the respiratory mucus membranes. Mullein is said to completely control a hacking cough and is effective when rolled up in papers and smoked for asthma and spasmodic coughs in general. It can also be used topically for skin conditions, the flowers can be macerated in oil for ear infections and the tincture of the leaves is also excellent for migraines and gastrointestinal issues. Mullein is a powerful ally for the people and is definitely a wonderful plant to Get To Know.
Fuzzy Leaves
Whatever your choice as to how to prepare your Mullein, just make sure you strain it very well. Mullein leaves are covered with tiny little hairs (a good doctrine of signature since they resemble the hairs in our lungs). If a tea or decoction is not strained well, they can irritate the throat when consumed. Also, you may want to make sure that mullein leaf does not irritate your skin before using it as a topical. This fuzzy ally is very easy to identify by it’s huge basal rosette, tall flower stalks and fuzzy hairs on the leaves and flowers.
Before using any plant as medicine, make sure to identify thrice, and if you are not sure, don’t consume it!