Mullein

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 is also known under its Latin name - Verbascum philomoides - and there is a saying according to which, when it blossoms, its yellow flower can be seen from a distance.

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.

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 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.