Dried Mullein

What is dried mullein?

Mullein, or Verbascum thapsus, is a flowering plant that has been used in herbal medicine for a long time. It used to only grow in Europe and Western Asia, but now it also grows in the US and Canada. It can be found in New Zealand as well. It does well in a wide range of places, such as fields, chapparal, woods with leaves that fall off, and forests with evergreen trees. It can even grow as a weed in gravel pits or by the side of the road because it does well in hard soil. It is an annual plant, which means it lives for two growing seasons. In its first year, it makes a bunch of fuzzy leaves. The second year, the top of the plant gets a tall stalk with small yellow flowers on it. Mullein flowers, leaves, and roots are used in herbal medicine for a few different things, but more research may be needed to show their safety and effectiveness from a scientific perspective.

How do I use dried mullein?

Pour 1 cup of water over 1-2 tablespoons of dehydrated mullein blossoms or foliage. Steep for ten to fifteen minutes prior to consuming. You can drink the tea three to four times a day.

Dried Mullein Benefits:

Mullein treats cough, whooping cough, tuberculosis, bronchitis, hoarseness, pneumonia, earaches, colds, chills, flu, swine flu, fever, allergies, tonsils, and sore throats. It also treats conditions such as asthma, diarrhea, colic, stomach bleeds, headaches, joint pain, and gout.

◉ Respiratory Health: Mullein leaves and flowers contain high levels of saponins, which are believed to contribute to the herb's effectiveness for lung health. Saponins are demulcent, expectorant, and bitter. They also have mucilage, which coats and soothes mucus membranes that have been inflamed. Their expectorant properties help get rid of congestion in the lungs. Research shows that mullein is a mix of demulcents and expectorants that contain saponin. This property makes it useful for treating bronchitis with a chronic cough, dry hacking coughs, whooping coughs, colds, flu, and sinusitis. The saponins in mullein have antiviral qualities, which makes it even more useful for treating the flu and other illnesses caused by viruses.

◉ Anti-Inflammatory: Mullein has a substance called verbascoside, which is both anti-inflammatory and a painkiller. Verbascoside has been shown to reduce inflammation and is especially good at easing joint and muscle pain.  Oxidative stress is a well-known cause of inflammation, and clinical studies have shown that verbascoside can stop oxygen-free radicals from being made. Mullein particularly lowers the development of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and extracellular O₂.. This process lowers the production of superoxide radicals, which are made in large amounts when oxidative stress causes inflammation.

◉ Antibacterial: Researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina found that mullein is effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli. This makes it suitable for cleaning cuts, soothing burns, and treating hemorrhoids. Even though pneumonia is a dangerous illness that should always be handled by a doctor, using mullein during a respiratory flu can help keep the lungs clear and may stop it from starting.

◉ Digestive Health: Mullein's ability to break up mucus isn't limited to getting rid of mucus in the lungs. Mullein can also eliminate the mucous layer in the small intestine. When there is too much mucus in the small intestine, it can make it hard for the body to absorb nutrients and get them into the bloodstream. Mullein gets rid of the "bad" mucus and replaces it with a healing mucilage that coats and soothes the gut wall and makes it easier and smoother to go to the bathroom.

Where can I buy dried mullein? 

Buy dried mullein from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Dried Mullein Information (at a Glance):