Mullein is a plant that has been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes.1 It has been considered effective for treating many ailments, including asthma, diarrhea, and migraines. Today, it is most widely renowned for its help in soothing respiratory symptoms. Read on to learn more about mullein’s etymology, horticulture, chemical composition, and medicinal uses. You can also see my post on how to make mullein tea.
Where does mullein get its name?
The scientific name for mullein is Verbascum thapsus L, of the Scrophulariaceae family.
Other English names for it include:
- Common mullein
- Great mullein
- Wooly mullein
- Candlewick plant
- Velvet plant
- Blanket leaf
- White man’s footsteps
- Aaron’s rod
- Jacob’s staff
- Hedge taper
- High taper
- Old man’s flannel
- Lady’s foxglove
As you can see, many of these names refer to how soft it is. The name “mullein” probably derived from the Latin word for “soft,” mollis. The aerial parts are covered in tiny hairs that help it retain heat, and feel soft to the touch. However, these hairs should be strained out of anything you plan on ingesting, as they can irritate the mouth.
Horticultural/gardening facts about mullein:
This plant is able to photosynthesize comfortably in a range of 68 to 95 degrees Farenheit (20-35 degrees Celcius). Seedlings from warmer climates will photosynthesize better at even higher temperatures.
Generally speaking, the larger mullein plants have greater rates of survival than smaller mullein plants. Greater rosette sizes are also associated with a greater chance of flowering.
There are 10,000-180,000 seeds per plant, and they are considered viable for up to thirty five years. Interestingly, an archaeological operation in Denmark found viable seeds that were over six hundred years old. The seeds rely on light to germinate, so they must be near the surface, and they generally will only germinate from 50-104 degrees Farenheit (10-40 degrees Celcius). The seeds usually do not stray very far from the plant.
Dangers to mullein include the curculionid weevil, the mullein moth, powdery mildew, and root rot.
Vegetative reproduction does not occur for mullein.
What’s in mullein? Chemical composition of mullein:
Here’s one for the nerds. Scientists have looked into the chemical composition of mullein, and have found that the chemical contents of mullein include, and are not limited to:
- Iridoid glycosides, including harpagoside
- Harpagide and aucubin (especially in the leaf)
- Flavanoids: 3 methylguercitin, hesperedin, verbascoside
- Saponins: thapsuine A, thapsuine B, hydroxythapsuine A, hydroxythapsuine B
- Volatile oils
- Veratric acid
- Alpha-spinasterol
- Triterpene A
- Saikogenin A
- Benzyl alcohol
- Methylfurfural
- Phenylethanoid glycosides
- Lignan glycosides
- Sterones
- Sesquiterpene acid
- Verbacoside
- Verbascose, an oligosaccharide
- Alpha-galactosidase
- Seed oil contains: fatty acids: palmitic, steriac, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachic, behenic; beta-sitosterol, ergosta-7-en-3-beta-ol
Mullein is used to treat:
- Pulmonary problems
- Inflammatory diseases
- Asthma
- Spasmodic coughs
- Diarrhea
- Migraine headaches
According to twentieth century texts, the plant is also “anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, emollient, nervine, vulnerary, analgesic, antihistaminic, anticancer, anti-
oxidant, antiviral, bacteristat, cardiodepressant, oestrogenic, [fungicidal], hypnotic and sedative[.]”
The most popular use for this plant is in mollifying coughs. Mullein has soothing properties due to polysaccharide mucilage, and contains saponins that give it an expectorant quality. Its anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to iridoid glycosides and flavanoids.
Historical and folkloric uses of mullein:
Mullein has been used since ancient times in its native European and Asian lands, as well as in North America, where it is believed to have been introduced multiple times. People have made many concoctions with it, from poultices and baths to cigarettes and syrups, for many different reasons. Here are some different ways people have made use of the curative properties of mullein:
- Flowers used as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory for the urinary tract
- Fomentations and poultices for hemorrhoids
- Used to relieve diarrhea because of its value as a demulcent and astringent
- Sweetened floral infusion used to treat mild catarrhs and colic
- The leaves are smoked to relieve respiratory issues
- Conserve of flowers to treat ringworm
- Distilled water of the flowers for burns and erysipelas
- Decoction of leaves for heart stimulant
- Decoction of roots as a febrifuge, and relief for toothaches, cramps, convulsions, and migraines
- Juice and powdered root is rubbed on warts to remove them
- Flowers macerated in olive oil with ambient heat used for mucus membrane inflammations, frostbite, and bruises
- The oil is used for earache and ear discharge, and eczema in the ear
- Flowers macerated in oil to make a bactericide
- Tincture for migraines and long term headaches
- Syrup for croup in children
- Poultice for pain, swelling, sprains, bruises, wounds
- Poultice for headaches
- Boiled roots to drink for coughs
- Boiled leaves to bathe in for coughs
- Smudged for catarrh and for revival of the unconscious
- Roots smoked for pulmonary diseases
- Mullein has been used for mythical purposes as well: Burning it was said to repel witches, who also apparently used it in love potions and incantations. It was also rumored to neutralize demons.
With all these uses in mind, the seeds are said to be toxic. They have been used to debilitate fish to make them easier to capture.
Mullein is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal (scientifically supported):
Some studies have been done to assess the exact effectiveness of mullein. The plant was tested and determined to be effective against certain types of bacteria and fungi, killing things on the cellular level that may be harmful to us.
Bacteria:
Escherichia coli (methanol extract)
Mycoacter phlei (methanol extract)
Staphylococcus aureus (methanol extract and aqueous extract)
K. Pneumoniae (aqueous extract)
Fungi:
Microsporum cookerii (methanol extract)
Microsporum gypseum (methanol extract)
As you can see, mullein has one main use as an aid for respiratory health, but it is more versatile than it is often given credit for in the modern age. Its name of ancient origin harkens to its long-standing relationship with humanity, referring to its observed softness to touch. Mullein likes a climate similar to our own preferred climate, making it a close friend. It has been a companion to us in the worst of times, helping our ancestors through pain of many sorts, including infections, coughs, cramps, headaches, hemorrhoids, toothaches, diarrhea, inflammation, and so on.
Mullein is such a great relief to have in your pantry or your garden, and it has the most beautiful velvety stalks with bright yellow flowers. Its soft silvery-green appearance extends outward like a fountain of true breath for the asthmatic or otherwise pulmonarily challenged. A soft healing touch indeed it has on those who suffer.