Versatile, fuzzy mullein is a gardener’s friend, an herbalist’s delight
and an engineering marvel all on its own. A member of the snapdragon
family, mullein has flowers that are flat and open, unlike the irregular
“dragon faces” of snapdragons. Within the Scrophulariaceae family, the
genus Verbascum consists of about 300 species native to Europe, West and
Central Asia, and North Africa. Most are tall, stout biennials with
large leaves and flowers in long terminal spikes. The species best-known
among herbalists is the homely but useful common mullein, V. thapsus.
Mullein tea is a traditional treatment for respiratory problems, such as
chest colds, bronchitis and asthma. Mullein leaf tea is slightly
bitter; a tea of the flowers is sweeter. Both the leaves and flowers
contain mucilage, which is soothing to irritated membranes, and
saponins, which make coughs more productive. Research has shown that the
herb has strong anti-inflammatory activity, and lab studies suggest
that mullein flower infusions have antiviral properties, as well.
Many of mullein’s traditional medicinal uses were similar throughout the
Old and New World, but whether European settlers learned to use the
herb from Native Americans or vice versa is open to debate. Besides
using mullein leaf and flower teas to treat respiratory problems, some
Native Americans also used the plant’s roots. The Creek Indians drank a
decoction of the roots for coughs; other tribes smoked the roots or
dried leaves to treat asthma.
Topical applications were equally varied. The Cherokee rubbed mullein
leaves in their armpits to treat “prickly rash.” Leaf poultices were
used to treat bruises, tumors, rheumatic pains and hemorrhoids. Mullein
flower oil (made by steeping the flowers in warm olive oil) also has
been used for treating hemorrhoids, as well as earaches.
Mullein leaves have been used in cosmetic preparations to soften skin.
“Quaker rouge” refers to the practice of reddening cheeks by rubbing
them with a mullein leaf. And a yellow dye extracted from the flowers
has been used since Roman times as a hair rinse as well as to dye cloth.
Like many other herbs, mullein is not entirely benign. Some people find
the plant’s hairs irritating to skin and mucous membranes. It’s a good
idea to see how you react to a small amount of mullein before consuming
it or smearing it on your body. And always strain the tea through
fine-weave cloth or a coffee filter to remove any stray hairs.
