Latin name: Verbascum Thapsus
Common name(s): Aaron’s Rod, Blanket Leaf, Bunny Ears, Candlewick Plant, Clot, Doffle, Feltwort, Flannel Flower, Graveyard Dust, Great Mullein, Hag’s Tapers, Hedge Taper, Jacob’s Staff, Jupiter’s Staff, Lady’s Foxglove, Old Man’s fennel, Peter’s Staff, Shepherd’s Club, Shepherd’s Herb, Torches, Velvetback, , Velvet Plant, Velvet Leaf
Mullein is very useful in the treatment of consumption, coughs, hemorrhage of respiratory organs and lung disease. It is very soothing to inflammation and pain and it relieves inflamed and irritated nerves. Mullein oil is an excellent remedy for infections. It works great to relieve a wide range of respiratory problems and swollen membrane conditions. The parts of the plant that are used in herbal healing are the flowers and leaves.
Mullein has some narcotic properties but it does not induce euphoria. Mullein was used by the Confederates during the Civil War to treat respiratory problems when they ran out of their conventional medicine. Mullein works to relief pain. Mullein is a biennial that is very robust and it has wooly oblong obovate leaves that are grayish-green in color. In the summer it blooms yellow flowers in a dense terminal spike that have five petals.
Mullein is a cooling bitter mucilaginous herb that lubricates and soothes inflamed tissues. It allows for free easy breathing because it strengthens sinuses. Mullein is excellent for relief of swollen joints due to arthritis, gout and rheumatism. It also works to expel mucus from the body. Mullein has been used for centuries as a demulcent and also as a bacteriostatic according to ‘The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism’ by Simon Mills.
Mullein is an analgesic, anodyne, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, anti-tussive, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary. The flowers and leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for use in liquid extracts, infusions and tinctures. The flowers can be used fresh in medicated oils and syrups.
Mullein can be used to treat any of the following:
Arthritis, asthma, baby rashes, bleeding bowels and lungs, boils, breathing problems, bronchitis, bruises, chilblains, colds, constipation, coughs, croup, diaper rash, diarrhea, dropsy, dysentery, Dysuria, earaches, emphysema, gargle, hay fever, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, influenza, insomnia, laryngitis, lung problems and disorders, lymphatic congestion, mucous membranes, mucus, mumps, nephritis, nervousness, pain reliever, pleurisy, pneumonia, pulmonary diseases, poison ivy, respiratory disorders, rheumatism, sinus problems, skin disorders, sore throats, sores, tension, tonsillitis, toothache, tracheitis, tumors, tuberculosis, ulcers, urinary tract infections warts, whooping cough and wounds.