Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Other Names: Aaron's Rod, Adam's Flannel, American Mullein, Beggar's Blanket, Blanket Herb, Blanket Leaf, Bouillon Blanc, Bouillon Jaune, Candleflower, Candlewick, Cierge Cotonneux, Cierge de Notre-Dame, Clot-Bur, Clown's Lungwort, Cuddy's Lungs, Duffle, European Mullein, Faux Bouillon-Blanc, Feltwort, Flannelflower, Fleur de Grand Chandelier, Fluffweed, Gidar Tamaku, Gordolobo, Hag's Taper, Hare's Beard, Hedge Taper, Herbe de Saint-Fiacre, Herbe Saint Fiacre, Higtaper, Jacob's Staff, Longwort, Molène, Molène à Grandes Fleurs, Molène Bouillon-Blanc, Molène Faux-Phlomis, Molène Thapsus, Orange Mullein, Oreille de Loup, Oreille de Saint Cloud, Our Lady's Flannel, Queue de Loup, Rag Paper, Shepherd's Club, Shepherd's Staff, Tabac du Diable, Torch Weed, Torches, Velvet Plant, Verbasci Flos, Wild Ice Leaf, Verbascum densiflorum, Verbascum phlomides, Verbascum thapsiforme, Verbascum thapsus, Woolen, Woolly Mullein, Wollblume, Königskerzen
Mullein is a shrub native to South America and also to regions with warm climate. Its name comes from Germany (Konigskerza - king's candle - and also emperor's candle or royal taper). The flower is used to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Mullein

• Don't confuse with Goldenrod
• Don't confuse with Phlomis
• The fine puff from the flowers' petals can cause itchiness on the arms, neck and hands. While handling the herbs any contact between hands and eyes should be avoided. During harvesting it is recommended to wear long sleeve clothes that cover the neck.

The benefits of Mullein are

The active compounds residing in mullein have expectorant, emollient, anti-inflammatory, Demulcent properties, antiviral, antihistaminic and calming effects. Mullein is a considerable source for flavonoids, tannins, saponins, vegetal sterols, poliphenolcarboxilic acids, glicozide, glucidic substances, carotenoids.

• Respiratory benefits : mullein leaves along with mullein flowers to relax the chest in patients suffering from asthma, emphysema or whooping cough. The leaves may also be used to prevent the common cold in fall and ease breathing in the summer months when the ozone levels are high.
• Bronchitis can be treated with mullein tea, which has emollient and expectorant effects. Against hoarseness it is also recommended to consume tea made from a mixture of colt's foot, mallow root and mullein flowers. Mullein tea is recommended in treating coughing, laryngitis, asthma, flu.
• Flu : Influenza viruses, are commonly responsible for the flu. In test-tube research, mullein has been found to fight flu-causing viruses. However, since the flu can lead to serious illnesses such as pneumonia, it's critical to seek medical attention when experiencing flu symptoms (rather than attempting to self-treat the condition).
• Liver and spleen disorders are treated with mullein enemas.
• Mullein syrup alleviates breathing problems, coughing, and sleeping disorders.
• Mullein decoct made of mullein flowers are known for having good results in treating hemorrhoids, furunculosis, burns and chilblains.
• Against dry complexions, a weak infusion is made from a mullein herb mashed in a cup of water. Small amounts of mullein have emollient and anti-inflammatory effects on the complexion if applied directly on the skin. Also the infusion is good for earaches.
• Herpes : Herpes viruses are a group of 25 viruses -- including the herpes simplex virus, Epstein Barr virus and cytomegalovirus -- that cause a variety of conditions in the body ranging from genital herpes and shingles to certain carcinomas. Drugs.com reports that mullein leaves possess antiviral activity against these viruses.
• Ear Infections : In a 2003 study of 171 children with otalgia (ear pain or earache), those who used ear drops containing mullein (along with garlic, calendula, St. John's wort, lavender, vitamin E, and olive oil) had a statistically significant improvement in ear pain over the course of three days
• Phthisis Relief : An infusion of mullein leaves prepared by boiling 1 oz. of leaves in a pint of milk for 10 minutes, straining it and drinking it warm three times a day may help manage phthisis, a form of systemic tuberculosis.

Mixtures

• Mullein tea : Mullein tea is made from boiling mullein herbs in combination with mallow flowers, lime, colt's foot leaves and plantain. It is then sweetened with honey or sugar and is consumed warm, a spoonful every hour. The tea is then passed through a fine sieve to retain the herb's puff that can cause pharyngeal irritations.
• Mullein infusion : Mullein infusion is obtained from a spoonful of dry flowers macerated in a cup or water. This weak infusion is then used for treating dry complexions. The infusion made from 10g of mullein flowers, 30g of barrel skid leaves, 10g lungwort leaves, 10g lichen is consumed three times a day. Also an infusion containing milk can be made. In half a liter of boiled milk, 2 spoonfuls of mullein flowers are put. The mixture is then sweetened with honey and is consumed two times a day, in the morning and evening.
• Mullein syrup : Mullein syrup is made from boiling 2-3 handfuls of mullein flowers in 500ml water on top of which 250g of sugar are put. It is then boiled until the mixture becomes viscid. It is recommended for the adults to consume 3 spoons a day and for children (up to 5-6 years old) only 1 spoonful a day.
• Mullein tincture : Mullein tincture is obtained from fry flowers and mixed in alcohol. The mixture is then macerated for 15 days, after which it is consumed half a spoonful three times a day.