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Properties of Mullein

Mullein, also known as Verbascum thapsus, is commonly referred to as Adam's flannel, velvet dock and beggar's blanket. The plant grows wild across North America, Europe and Asia on roadsides, fallow fields and other areas with disturbed soil. It grows best in dry soils exposed to full sunlight. Mullein has a long history of use among humans from dyes and herbal smoking mixtures to medicines and makeshift toilet paper. Modern herbalists champion the plant's diverse healing properties. The stiff, dried stalks of the plant were used as hand drills to start fires.

  1. Expectorant

    • Mullein has long been used as an expectorant to treat diseases of the respiratory system of humans and livestock. It functions as an antihistamine to calm lung reactions to foreign substances and assists mucous membranes in expelling them. People drink mullein tea or smoke the dried leaves of the plant to ease colds, asthma, emphysema and coughing. The leaves are high in mucilage, which promotes healthy lungs and secretion of sputum in the bronchial tubes and helps to dissolve and expel thick mucous associated with respiratory illness.

    Antibacterial

    • According to the website for Alternative Nature Online Herbal, mullein leaves infused in olive oil kills bacteria and fights infection in the body. Drops of the infused oil are used to fight bacteria associated with ear infections. Decoctions of mullein root have been used to soothe toothaches and cramps. Grieve's Botanical site reports early herbalists recommended that figs be wrapped in mullein leaves to keep bacteria from rotting them.

    Fights Inflammation

    • Mulllein is often used for its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to killing bacteria that leads to earaches, mullein ear drops also alleviate the inflammation of the inner-ear canal and relieve pain. Smoking or drinking tea of mullein leaf reduces inflammation of mucous membranes in the lungs to further alleviate wheezing, dry coughs and allergic reactions. Alternative Nature Online Herbal recommends using preparing a poultice of mullein leaves and flowers to reduce the pain and swelling of bruises, arthritis and joint inflammation.

    Highly Flammable When Dry

    • Mullein leaves, stalks and flowers are highly flammable when dried. The leaves will ignite with a tiny spark and have been used in place of paper to ignite fires. Stiff mullein stalks heat up quickly when rubbed against certain types of wood and can be used as hand drills to produce smoldering bits of plant matter for starting fires.

    Soft Woolly Leaves

    • Mullein leaves are thick, woolly and extremely soft to touch. The website Botanical reports on the use of mullein leaves worn inside socks to aid in circulation and to add warmth to feet. According to foraging enthusiast "Wildman" Steve Brill suggests using mullein as natural toilet paper because of its soft, broad, woolly leaves.

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Herb Basics
  1. Bluebonnet Properties
  2. Cilantro Species
  3. Information on Damiana Leaves
  4. Properties of UV Light
  5. Comfrey Identification
  6. Purpose of Bay Leaves
  7. When to Harvest Mullein Leaves
  8. Uses of Sorrel
  9. Hyssop Leaves
  10. Neem Leaves
  11. Properties of Bay Leaves
  12. How to Use Dried Mullein Leaves

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