Mullein Leaf and Flower Profile
Also known as
Verbascum densiflorum, felon herb, common wormwood, Great mullein, Common, Witch's Taper, Velvet Dock, Candlestick, Jupiter's Staff, Felt Wort.and Flannel Mullein.
Introduction
Mullein is towering biennial plant with a single stalk up to 6-1/2 feet (2 meters) bearing whorls of leaves and topped with a spike of 5-part yellow flowers. The flowers coat the mouth with a honey-like scent and a sweet taste. The name mullein itself is derived from the Latin word "mollis" which means soft. It has its origins in the Mediterranean, but has been naturalized in North America. The flowering stem was dried by the Greeks and Romans and dipped in tallow, and then used as a lamp wick or as a torch. These torches were said to ward off evil spirits and witches, although it was certainly not uncommon in a witches herbal garden. Frazier writes in the Golden Bough that mullein was added to the bonfire on Midsummer's eve to ward away evil from the celebration. Some ancient magical grimoires have been found to list powdered mullein leaf as a substitute for graveyard dust when that was unavailable.
Constituents
Mucilage, flavonoids, Iridoids, sterols, and sugars.
Parts Used
Dried flower as an oil, and dried leaf as a tea.
Typical Preparations
Traditionally used as a tea, and is frequently combined with other herbs in mixtures for treating cough. May be taken as an extract if fresh material is used, and is very rarely found in capsule form. The fresh or dried flowers have traditionally been used to make an oil infusion for external use.
Summary
The soothing mucilages of mullein coat sore throats and make coughing more productive. The German E Commission relates that mullein is good for catarrhs of the respiratory tract and as an expectorant.
Precautions
None.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
