Mullein
You see it on the street shoulders, growing through cracks everywhere. It’s tall, spikey, and I bet you didn’t know it’s one of the greatest sore throat and cough remedies around! It’s…Mullein! Let’s learn more about what makes this completely overlooked plant something amazing for your medicine cabinet.
This is always my favorite part: plant history! Where did it come from, is it native, who brought it and what has it been used for throughout history? I find this all extremely fascinating but if you don’t, keep scrolling down just a tad. The leaf and flowers of mullein have been used in herbal medicines since ancient times as a remedy for skin and lung diseases. In the 19th century, the herb was given as a treatment to tuberculosis patients in the US and Europe. It was also prescribed for diseases in the respiratory and genirourina tracts and ear canal. It was thought mullein would be beneficial for those areas due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Health Benefits
*all say “may” because of the shortage of lab studies.
May support respiratory health as it contains a variety of anti-inflammatory compounds. Also benefits the body through stron anti-oxidant properties and can reduce inflammation in the lungs.
May promote wound healing : a recent double-blind placebo controlled trial was completed in women given an episiotomy. The researchers gave either a mullein-based skin cream or a placebo skin cream over a 10 day period. THose who had been given the mullein one, you guessed it, had significant improvement in the healing of wounds.
May help with urinary tract infections
May help with ear aches - research found that natural mullein oil was effective in reducing ear pain after the course of 2-3 days in a study looking at the effectiveness of a natural earache remedy in children. Compared with the standard over the counter drug, in a study, when combined with garlic, calendula and st. johns wort, it’s as effective as the standard drug.
Also said to have anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory properties
How to Identify Mullein:
It’s a biennial herbaceous plant with leaves that are green to grey in color and have dense, small hairs all over them. The leaves grow in a small rosette in its first year, then branch out more during its second year of growth. The first year there are no flowers but the second year, the flowers and leaves grow up the stalk which can reach 7 feet! It can grow practically anywhere - the worst off the soil, the happier it is!
A Look at the Ailments:
Asthma
Bronchitis
Cough
Congestion
Constipation
Ear Infection
Insomnia
Gout
Inflammtion
Migraine
Sore Throat
Harvesting:
Harvest leaves in the spring of their first year through spring of second before the flower stem emerges. The small, tender leaves are best for harvesting, but you can use the leaves at any point of the growth if needed.
Harvest the flowers any time they’re in bloom.
Treating:
- Make a mullein tea - great for lung issues or digestive upset. You can also use it to treat wounds and bites by making the tea then letting it cool, then apply as a compress to the affected area.
- Use mullein salve for your lungs by rubbing on your chest
- For an earache or ear infection, make or buy mullein oil. Warm slightly then pour a small amount into the affected ear.
- For bites or wounds, crush up leaves and apply to area, hold on for 15-20 minutes or steep a leaf in water, cool and apply to would or insect bite.
Fresh Mullein or Dried?
For teas you can do either. Of course only forage from places you know do not use pesticides.
The Adev Farm website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitude for professional medical advice. The information provided does not intent to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is the reader’s responsibility to ensure proper plant identification & usage.
Please be aware that some plants are poisonous or can have adverse health affects. We are not health professionals, medical doctors or nutritionists. It is essential to consult with qualified professionals for verification of nutritional information, health benefits, and any potential risks associated with edible and medicinal plants mentioned in this website.