Weeds & Seeds Swap

Mullein is a common site along the roadways where we live and in many parts of the country. The leaves are soft to the touch, which is why it is sometimes called “Velvet Plant”, “Donkey’s Ears” and other such names. In the late summer it grows a tall stalk, that reminds me a bit of a corn cob without the corn, until all the yellow blooms open.

The botanical name for the Mullein I am fond of for medicinal purposes is Verbascum thapsus L. It’s medicinal use is focused on the respiratory system. The ancient Greeks and Ayurvedic physicians used and use it as a cough remedy. During the Civil War, the confederate army is said to have used it for respiratory problems.

Historically, it has been used for such disorders as asthma, bronchitis, coughs, influenza, colds and tuberculosis. As I type this, my son is taking my absolute favorite herbal combination that contains Mullein for his allergies. It works like a charm. It has also been used to soothe the intestinal tract and acts as a very mild diuretic.

Scientific Support:

The plant contains two to three percent mucilage (polysaccharides, which absorb water) which provides the demulcent action (soothing intestinal tract). The expectorant properties are believed to come from saponin components. Other active substances include flavanoids and tannins. The German Commission Erecommends mullein for catarrh of the respiratory tract and describes it as a soothing expectorant. Scientists have found the methanolic extract of mullein displayed a strong effect against the influenza viruses A2 and B in chick fibroblast cultures and chick embryos. One source claims the mucilage in the herb protects mucous surfaces, inhibiting the absorption of allergens through the membranes.

As always, contact me if you would like me to send you the source information for these studies from my reference list. It is a lot to type here, but I have it readily available.

Click either of the links in this article to be taken to sources for Mullein and my favorite combination for the respiratory system

Thanks for reading!