Mullen (Verbascum thapsus)

Mullein Tea
Mullein leaf can be used to make a nourishing tea that’s been used in folk medicine. You can buy mullein leaf tea at your local grocery or health store, or you can make your own at home.

Drinking tea from this yellow flowered plant helps to relieve issues like sore throat, cough, colds, hoarseness and bronchitis. Some even use it to ease digestive complains like diarrhea and joint pain.

To make the tea, the leaves are simply simmered in boiling water and then strained.

Nutrition Facts
Research on the plant shows that it contains flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils.

It also contains approximately 3 percent mucilage, which is thought to be responsible for the soothing actions that the herb has on the body’s mucous membranes. Mullein’s saponins are believed to be the explanation for the herb’s expectorant actions.


Health Benefits:

1. Ear Infections:
Mullein has well-established emollient and astringent properties, making it an excellent choice for temperamental ear ailments.

A tincture containing the plant alone or a combination of mullein and other herbs is commonly found in health stores (and online) as a tried-and-true natural remedy for ear aches and infections.

A study published in The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in 2001 concluded that an herbal ear drop with mullein were just as effective as an anesthetic one.

People also use mullein oil to naturally treat their dog’s ear infections and other health problems with success. That’s right — don’t forget that natural remedies can be used on your animal friends, too!

2. Calm Bursitis:
Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs (called bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae become inflamed and research indicates that mullein has anti-inflammatory effects.

The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip. To help bursitis naturally, you can simply prepare some mullein tea and soak a clean cloth in the warm tea.

The cloth can then be regularly applied over the affected region, which should help to decrease inflammation and serve as a natural remedy for bone and joint pain. You can also create a healing poultice.

3. Potent Disinfectant:

Mullein oil is potent disinfectant that can treat both internal and external infections. Recent research published in Medicinal Chemistry shows that the plant has antimicrobial properties and can be used for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Internally, it has been known to treat infections in the ears, colon, urinary tract (including a vaginal yeast infection) and kidneys. When applied externally, it can help to fight infections on the skin.

4. Ease Respiratory Illness:
Mullein tea can help to naturally improve a wide array of upper respiratory problems, including bronchitis, dry coughs, sore throats, general hoarseness and tonsillitis. Mullein for COPD is also used in folk medicine.

The leaves contain an extract with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps to rid the body of mucus and soothes the raw, inflamed tracts of your system, like your throat. Mullein as an asthma remedy may be effective because of its soothing impact on the bronchioles.

Smoking mullein is used by some for respiratory issues. In folk medicine, research suggests that dried herb can be placed in a pipe and smoked to treat congestion in your lungs. However, this is definitely a questionable way of using it and if used, should never be done for a prolonged length of time.

Plus, smoking mullein is one of the least effective means of using it’s beneficial properties. If you’re a smoker and having lung congestion, then smoking mullein rather than tobacco can be helpful.

5. Bacteria Killer
Researchers at Clemson University confirmed the antibacterial properties of mullein. In 2002, these researchers reported that the plant’s extracts are effective against several species of disease-causing bacteria including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli more commonly known as E. coli.


RECIPES:

Tea: For sore throat, coughs and other upper respiratory issues, brew a strong mullein tea using 1 cup of boiled water and 1–2 teaspoons of dried leaves or flowers. Let the mixture steep for 10–15 minutes. Drink at least 1 cup per day until symptoms improve.


Hot Oil Extraction: Combine 1 cup mullein flowers with 1/2 cup olive oil in a glass double boiler over a low flame. Heat the mixture slowly for about three hours. Allow to cool and then strain using cheesecloth to remove all plant parts. Pour the strained oil into dark glass bottles and seal tightly.

Cold Oil Extraction: A cold mullein weed extraction can also be made by covering the flowers with olive oil in a glass container with a lid, set the container on a sunny windowsill to steep for 7 to 10 days, strain and store in dark glass bottles.