Great Mullein or Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) grows abundantly on the south central Oregon ranch that we call home. While we have spent many moments admiring the tall fuzzy plant with bright yellow blooms, it was only recently that I learned of the medicinal properties it’s believed to bear. When my pal suggested to me that Great Mullein was used for aiding in respiratory ailments and earaches I was quite intrigued and I began my research.
According to Kate author of The Real Food RN blog, Mullein has been used medicinally for centuries and has a wealth of benefits including antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The benefits of the Mullein plant doesn’t stop there. According to Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS author of Mulling Over Mullein Leaf , the Mullein plant has properties that can aid in soothing cough, congestion, bronchitis, asthma, inflammation, ear ache and other common ailments.
After reading all about Mullein and the potential benefits and what leaves were best for tinctures, I set out with a basket, a toddler on my back and a healthy dose of excitement. I have enjoyed using natural remedies for years so learning about a new one that I had easy access to felt like a big win.
As you can imagine, I harvested and dried a lot of Mullein leaves and flowers over several weeks. Then the day came when the weather changed and my children fell sick with a common cold and cough. It was time to test my bounty. I had read that Mullein can be drunk as a tea, taken as a tincture and even used as a steam therapy (Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS, July 24, 2023). My mullein tincture was still in the process of extraction so I used dried Mullein as tea and a steam therapy. I was impressed!
Drying Mullein leaves.
My daughter was having a coughing fit in the night while she was sick and I did a Mullein steam with her. I poured boiling water over Mullein leaf pieces and held it up near her nose and mouth for a few minutes. I put her back to bed after the Mullein steam and she never coughed again that night. I then ran a large steam pot with Mullein leaves, lemon and fresh ginger root all the next day. She hardly coughed again. As a mother and ranch wife, I am happy to have a new medicinal herb in my remedy stash and I’m glad to share with others.
I have created a tincture kit featuring wild harvested Mullein and locally grown Calendula. It is my hope that I can inspire others to enjoy the benefits herbs have to offer. I have shared some links below that I have enjoyed learning from.
Tincture information and recipes:
Mountain Rose Herbs - How to Make Herbal Tinctures.
Mullein Tincture Benefits and How to Make It
How to Make Calendula Oil, Plus 8 Ways to Use It!
Mountain Rose Herbs - Calendula Uses + Infused Olive Oil Recipe
Mountain Rose Herbs - How to Make Elderberry Syrup
Precautions
I am not a doctor and I’m certainly not qualified to give health advice so do your research, make good choices and be happy!
Some people may be sensitive to the Mullein plant and can have allergic reactions or skin irritation with topical use. A skin test is recommended before applying topically. Ear pain or infection can be serious. If you plan to use mullein oil, be sure to speak to a doctor first. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not use Mullein if you are taking anti-diabetic or diuretic medication.