Mullein

Species Name: Verbascum thapsus.

Also known as: Bunny’s Ears, Flannelleaf, and Jacob’s-staff.

What is Mullein: A woolly biennial herb belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae, both the leaves and flowers of this and of closely related Verbascum species have been used in folk medicine.

Home remedies using mullein:

Benefits of Mullein:

Mullein is believed to possess demulcent, emollient, and astringent properties and is useful in treating both bleeding of the lungs and of the bowels.

Not only is it both a sedative and a narcotic, but it can also be useful in treating cases of asthma, cough, and hemorrhoids.

Burns, strep infections, bruises, frostbite, diarrhea, and ear infections, as well as most disease germs and migraines yield to the use of Mullein.

Mullein is recommended for palpitations, irregular heartbeat, angina, and coronary distress. It is also used to treat a variety of childhood illnesses including chickenpox, measles, mumps, tonsillitis, but works well for pancreatitis too.

Some of the more practical but less medicinal applications of mullein include using the yellow flowers as a blond hair dye and wearing the fuzzy leaves in the stockings to keep the feet warm.

Uses of Mullein:

Used for bleeding of the lungs and bowels, burns, strep infections, bruises, frostbite, diarrhea, ear infections, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chickenpox, measles, mumps, tonsillitis, and pancreatitis.

Simmer two handfuls of coarsely cut leaves and flowers in 1-1/2 quarts of boiling water for an hour, covered, until about 1 pint remains. Strain and add,3 tbsps. blackstrap molasses and 1/2 tsp. glycerin to give it longer shelf life. Take 1 tbsp. of this syrup twice daily in between meals, once in the morning and again in the evening, or more if pressure builds up in the heart.

A relatively delicious tea that can be made for sick children to drink calls for 1/2 handful each of dried or cut fresh mullein leaves and flowers, and dried or cut fresh herb to be steeped in 1 qt. of boiling water, covered, and then set away from the heat for approximately 35 minutes or so.

After this the solution is strained twice, once through a fine sieve and again through a piece of clean cloth. Then while still quite warm 2 tbsps. of dark one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of pure maple syrup, and a couple of drops of pure vanilla, should be mixed in to improve the flavor considerably.

One half cup of this, warm, can be given every three to four hours. This "wonder" medication is taken internally, applied locally, and even smoked, to treat these various conditions.

Side Effects of Mullein:

Mullein is generally safe, and there are no known contraindications to its use during pregnancy or lactation, except for rare reports of skin irritation.