[[File:Verbascum thapsus.jpg|thumb|250px|left|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<br>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). This herb The flower is also known under its Latin name - Verbascum philomoides - and there is a saying according used to which, when it blossoms, its yellow flower 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 seen from a distanceavoided. During harvesting it is recommended to wear long sleeve clothes that cover the neck.
Description of Mullein plant
Mullein grows on dry barren places, sandy regions or on gravel, but usually it can be found at the edge of forests. Because of its straight firm stem, the herb can reach 150cm tall. Its stem is covered in leaves, giving the herb a winged form.
It's upper part is formed of yellow flowers which bloom all summer long. The harvesting of this herb begins in June and lasts until September. It is done early in the morning, after the dew has melted, between 11am-12pm. In order for them to be used, the flowers have to be dried in the sunlight or in rooms with temperatures of 50-60 degrees Celsius.
==Special Precautions of Mullein==
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.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Mucilant]]
[[Category:Demulcent]]
[[Category:Expectorant]]
[[Category:Mucilage]]
[[Category:Astringent]]