Botanical Names
- Family Scrophulariaceae
- Verbascum thapsus
- Verbascum densiflorum
Common Names
- Torch Weed, Aaron’s Rod, Blanket-leaf, Candlewick Plant, Flannelflower, Feltwort, Hedge-taper, Jacob’s Staff, Shepherd’s Club, Velvet Plant, Velvet Dock, Shepherd’s Staff, Torches, Our Lady’s Flannel, Blanket Herb, Woollen, Rag Paper, Wild Ice Leaf, Clown’s Lungwort, Golden Rod, Adam’s Flannel, Beggar’s Blanket, Clot-bur, Cuddy’s lungs, Duffle, Feltwort, Fluffweed, Hare’s Beard, Hag’s Taper, Cow Lungwort
Cautions
- None listed.
Description
Native to central and southern Europe and western Asia, mullein can now be found in many temperate zones. It grows in open, uncultivated land and along roadsides. Mullein is a hardy biennial that can grow to six feet in height, but is usually only a foot or so, producing oval to lance-shaped, hairy, grayish-green leaves and spikes of bright yellow flowers. Both the leaves and flower stems can be picked during the summer. The plant is so well constructed that the soft hairs on the leaves and stems protect it from insects and grazing animals. It also allows drops of rain to spill from its small leaves down to the larger ones and on into the root system, thus protecting the entire plant from moisture loss. Mullein is from the same family as the Foxglove, a noted source for the heart stimulant, digoxin.
Key Actions
- astringent
- anti-inflammatory
- demulcent
- expectorant
- heals wounds
- mild diuretic
- sedative
Key Components
- mucilage (3%)
- triterpene saponins (mainly verbascosaponine)
- volatile oil
- flavonoids (including rutin, diosmin, quercetin, hesperidine, apigenin)
- bitter glycosides (including aucubin)
- tannins
Medicinal Parts
- Flowers, leaves, seeds
Remedies
(a) Flowers
- Tinctures are used for chronic, dry coughs and throat inflammations.
- Gargles made from an infusion are used for throat inflammations.
- Syrups are taken for chronic, hard coughs.
- Infused oil is made by the cold infusion method and used by drops for earaches if the eardrum has not been perforated.
- Salves made from the infused oil are used to treat wounds, hemorrhoids, eczema, and inflamed eyelids.
(a) Leaves
- Strong infusions are used for chronic coughs and throat inflammations; and, since they promote sweating, are useful in treating feverish conditions.
- Tinctures are useful for chronic respiratory disorders; and, when combined with such stimulating expectorants as mulberry bark, cowslip root, elecampane, sweet violet, anise, or thyme, are a good remedy for coughs where phlegm needs to be expelled.
Traditional Uses
The plant is high in mucilage that coats and soothes inflamed mucous membranes, making it especially valuable in treating sore throats and other inflammatory conditions. It also has a long and validated, history of being a valuable remedy for coughs and congestion and is a specific treatment for tracheitis and bronchitis — which is why it is sometimes called lungwort.
At the other end, it can also remove the pain and itching of hemorrhoids.
Internal use can help heal ulcers and control diarrhea.
The seeds are sometimes used as a mild sedative.
Leaf and flower infusions are used to reduce mucus formation and to stimulate the coughing up of phlegm. It combines well with other herbs for internal and topical use.
As an emollient, poultices and compresses from infusions of the herb makes a good wound healer and commonly used on skin abrasions, burns, insect bites to help heal and prevent infection.
In Germany, the flowers are steeped in olive oil, with the resulting fixed oil used to treat ear infections and hemorrhoids.
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