How to Use Dried Mullein Leaves

Brew a tea by placing one tablespoon of dried mullein into a teapot and infusing with boiling water. Allow to steep, covered, for five to ten minutes. Drink plain or with a little honey. The steam and the tea act as a decongestant and may relieve bronchial issues.

Reduce one quart of water and one cup of dried leaves to one pint of liquid by slowly simmering until the water evaporates. Add two or three tablespoons of molasses or honey to make a syrup. Use as an expectorant or cough syrup.

Concoct a tincture. Place one cup of leaves into a pint jar. Add one cup of vodka or brandy and one cup of cool water. Allow the tincture to infuse for at least four weeks. Strain the material through a cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Use directly on the tongue, in tea or apply topical as an astringent.

Infuse oil by setting one-half cup of leaves into one cup of good quality olive or almond oil. Put the oil in a double burner and slowly heat for at least one hour. Cool the oil and strain the herbs through a mesh strainer. Use a couple of drops in the ear canal to relieve an earache or as a massage oil to soothe muscle tension.

Create a salve. Heat one-half cup of the infused mullein oil slowly to a lukewarm state. Shave approximately two teaspoons of beeswax into the warm oil. Heat further if needed to melt completely. Test the thickness by spooning out a few drops of the mixture and allowing to cool. Add more wax if it's too soft or more oil to thin it out. Mullein salve has been used topically to relieve minor scrapes and wounds.

Make a poultice. In an mortar and pestle, grind one cup of dry leaves into a powder. Slowly add up to one-half cup of warm water to make a thick paste. Apply the poultice directly to the skin or wrap in a piece of muslin or cheesecloth. A poultice of mullein is said to relieve the discomfort of hemorrhoids