[[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). 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, antiviral, antihistaminic and calming effects. Mullein is a considerable source for flavonoids, tannins, saponins, vegetal sterols, poliphenolcarboxilic acids, glicozide, glucidic substances, carotenoids.
==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.
*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.
* Flu [[Ear Infections]] : Influenza virusesIn a 2003 study of 171 children with otalgia (ear pain or earache), are commonly responsible for the flu. Drugs.com reports that those who used ear drops containing mullein leaves possess antiviral activity against these viruses(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.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Mucilant]]
[[Category:Demulcent]]
[[Category:Expectorant]]
[[Category:Mucilage]]
[[Category:Astringent]]