Herbs of the Field - Mullein

Mullein -

Mullein is an herb originally grown in Europe and Western Asia, and now in the US and Canada. Usually found in meadows, chaparral, deciduous forests and evergreen forests. Some times is does grow in rocky soil and gravel pits, more commonly seen on road sides. Mullein is a biennial plant where the first season it grows fuzzy leaves and the second year it produces a tall stalk with small yellow flowers.

Mullein is commonly used as a tea to extract its nutrients. Naturopaths, herbal specialists and other practitioners recommend mullein for asthma, coughs, common colds, bronchitis, and COPD.   In the 1800’s Mullein was used to treat people with tuberculosis. The reason for Mullein’s usage is its expectorant properties. Mullein helps to expel the body of excess mucus by creating a productive cough. Mullein also is a demulcent, which helps to sooth mucous  membranes with its mucilages leaves that coat with a sticky substance relieving the soreness.  Mullein properties make it most useful for soothing irritations of the lungs, throat, and bronchial passages that create difficulties in breathing.

In addition, Mullein has strong antiviral effects against influenza, certain strains of herpes. Also, some antibacterial properties which are useful in trading middle ear infections. Lastly, Mullein is known as having anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and analgesic properties.

Identification - easiest to identify, large, fuzzy, safe-green leaves. Grows low to the ground. Second year, plant has a tall flowering spike which can be six feet in height. Has a very long taproot. In spring, near brown stalks many seedling pop-up. You can transport seedlings. Tiny yellow flowers open over a period of time, not all at once.

Harvesting - Leaves nearest the bottom of the plant are best used fresh or dried.

Usage - steep dried leaves for a tea. Drink three to four time a day. Extracting oil from the flower or leaves. Creating hot oil infusions or cold- steeped oils. Used to treat earaches, eczema, and other skin issues. Add honey to mullein tea for cough syrup. Tiny yellow flowers on spike is used for soothing and cleansing. Pick from a large patch or pick from open flowers daily. Also used as extracts, powders, capsules and elixirs.

Cautions - Some people may get a skin rash. Use caution is pregnant or breastfeeding.