Mullein: This Fuzzy-Leaved Plant has Some Amazing Health Benefits
Hi everyone, The Botany Goddess here! Today I‘m writing about one of my favorite and most medicinally useful plants… mullein! Mullein is the common name for over three hundred different species of plants. They all belong to the genus Verbascum and are large herbaceous plants that are native to northern, temperate regions. Common mullein, or Verbascum thapsus, is one of the plants that I walk by every day, but it wasn’t until I began studying botany that I realized the amazing power of this fuzzy little plant!
Common mullein is not native to America; it was actually introduced from Europe. It is a biennial plant that produces a basal ring of fuzzy leaves during its first year of life and then a spike with yellow flowers its second year. Common mullein is able to grow in very poor soil, making it able to grow in sand pits, gravel pits, and roadsides. Mullein has been used medicinally since the ancient times. This is because mullein is made up of about 3% mucilage. This is what scientists think is the reason for mullein’s soothing actions on our mucous membranes. In addition to mucilage, mullein also contains saponins that are believed to be responsible for mullein’s expectorant actions.
The health benefit that I most commonly use mullein for is easing respiratory illness. Mullein tea can help with many upper respiratory problems since it’s leaves contain an extract that help our bodies get rid of mucus and sooth our inflamed respiratory tracts. This means that mullein can even help asthma sufferers by soothing the bronchioles!
But mullein’s amazing medicinal qualities don’t stop at helping our respiratory systems! Mullein also has emollient, disinfectant, and astringent properties. This means mullein is an excellent choice for treating almost any infection both in and outside of the body. It is also effective at killing certain bacteria that can cause diseases such as E. coli!
You can make your own mullein tea easily at home by combining boiling water with a few teaspoons of dried mullein leaves or flowers and letting it steep. This tea can be used for sore throats, coughs, or really any upper respiratory issue. I’ve used mullein tea in the past when I’ve had chest colds and it definitely works! If you’re not a fan of the taste, feel free to mix some dried mullein in with your favorite loose tea for the same benefits.
Mullein, in general, has no serious unwanted side effects. If you have sensitive skin the fine hairs on mullein leaves could potentially cause some irritation. I am not a doctor or medical professional of any kind, I am simply a woman who loves making use of nature. Please consult a doctor prior to using any new medications. Stay safe and happy healing!
References:
Foster, Steven & Duke, James. Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Third Edition. 2014. Print.
Moerman, Dan. Native American Ethnobotany Database. University of Michigan. Web. http://naeb.brit.org/
