Uses and Side Effects of Mullein

Medicinal

• Mullein has traditionally been used medicinally to treat skin and lung afflictions. According to Henriette’s Herbal Homepage, mullein leaves and flowers can be used infused into a tea and used as a as a cough remedy. It can also be used as an earache remedy when the dried flowers are mixed with an oil to make herbal oil.

Side Effects

• Dr. Weil, author of many natural health books, does not recommend giving mullein to children for coughs. Mullein seeds are toxic, and, as with many herbal medicines, pregnant women should take caution when using them. However, the University of Michigan Health System states that mullein is generally safe and that here have been few reports of skin irritations or other side effects.

Other Uses

• Native Americans smoked mullein for respiratory ailments. Because Quaker women were not allowed to wear makeup, they used to rub the leaves of this plant on their cheeks, causing an allergic reaction that turned their skin pink. The leaves of mullein were once used as lamp wicks, and Roman women used a yellow dye made from the flowers of mullein for hair coloring.