Herb Notes: The Benefits of Mullein
I saw mullein (Verbascum spp.) growing all around me for years before I knew its name, let alone its many healing gifts. Now when I see mullein growing upwards of 7 feet tall by sidewalks and trailsides alike, I smile and say hi to this nourishing plant ally.
Want to learn more about the many gifts of mullein?
Let’s dive into three key health benefits of mullein...
1. Mullein Leaf for Dry Cough
Mullein can help soothe a persistent, tickly, dry, irritating cough that is unproductive. As a demulcent, mullein can help address inflammation in the lungs. I reach for mullein during colds when I have a dry cough and also during fire season when my lungs can get irritated from the smoke in the air.
For coughs, I tend to prepare a tea with mullein leaf, and I like to add a pinch of cinnamon to the tea for taste. When preparing mullein tea, remember to strain it with a very fine strainer because the hairs on mullein leaves can be irritating to our tissues if ingested.
And just as these hairs can irritate our internal epithelial tissue, they can also irritate our skin if we are processing a bunch of mullein leaf with our hands — so if you need to process lots of mullein leaf, it's best to wear gloves.
2. Mullein as a Nutritive
Mullein is a nutrient-dense plant that can not only strengthen the lungs over time but can also benefit us with its high levels of calcium and magnesium. For nutritive purposes, I like to prepare a strong tea with mullein leaf.
When working with mullein, it's important to note that mullein can accumulate heavy metals from the soil: just as its long roots can uptake beneficial minerals, these roots can also uptake heavy metals. That being said, mullein is generally regarded as safe, but it's essential to harvest mullein from healthy soil — rather than, say, that stray mullein plant growing by one of the street signs in my neighborhood.1
3. Mullein Flower for Ear Ache
Mullein's delicate yellow flowers can be infused in oil to create a remedy that can help address mild ear pain and ear ache. The lymphatic action of mullein flower can also help address minor ear infection.
When I have an ear ache, I place a few drops of the slightly warmed mullein oil in my ear, and I find it very soothing. If you don't have access to mullein flowers, you can often find mullein flower oil at a health store.
It's important to note that the mullein oil should not be applied to the ear if the eardrum has been perforated.
A few frequently asked questions about mullein...
Can the mullein plant help support joint pain?
Mullein leaf and root can also help support back pain and joint pain. When working with mullein for pain, I typically either use a mullein infusion or small doses of the tincture. Herbalist jim mcdonald typically uses 7 drops of the tincture when he experiences back pain.2
Does mullein exhibit antiviral activity?
Yes, mullein has antiviral properties. I like to work with mullein when I have a mild cold. Herbalist Michael Moore has worked with mullein flower tea for addressing frequent HSV outbreaks.
What species of mullein can I use?
I typically use Verbascum thapsus because that's what grows around me, but many other Verbascum species can be worked with too. Once you find out the species that grows near you, you can research to find if it can be worked with as a medicinal plant.
What herbal remedy should I make with mullein?
There are so many mullein extracts you can make! Some of my favorite folk medicine mullein remedies include mullein leaf tea, a topical mullein flower oil, and mullein tincture.
Footnotes
The Herbal Remedy Vault has all of our printable recipe cards...
