by Stephen C Byrnes, PhD, DNT, CNC
Mullein is a tall, very common weed that grows throughout Europe, Asia and the United States.
Viewed as a pest by most gardeners, the fluffy leaves and short yellow
flowers of this plant are extremely powerful weapons against a wide range
of ailments.
Mullein thrives in dry, poor soils. Its single stalk can attain heights up to eight feet and its wooly leaves are densely packed throughout the length of the stem. The flowers are stalkless and are a sulphur-yellow color.
In astrology, mullein is associated with Saturn and falls under the rulership of Capricorn. The herb has a long history of association with witchcraft and black magic. It was said that witches used lamps made of mullein while casting incantations. In the folk tradition of Europe, Asia and India, mullein is credited with the power to drive away evil spirits and black magic. Apparently, this tradition was known in antiquity as Odysseus carried mullein to protect himself against the sorcery of Circe in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey.
The active chemical constituents of mullein include some mucilage, ash, tannic acid and trace amounts of volatile oil. While these may not sound like much, it is the combination of chemicals that give mullein its peculiar powers.
Medicinal Uses
Mullein is one of the few plants that has powerful narcotic properties,
but is nontoxic and safe to ingest in large quantities: one can drink
it all day. The whole plant possesses sedative properties and old time
fishermen would boil the entire plant and pour the tea into a small pond
to intoxicate the fish long enough to easily catch them. Not surprisingly,
mullein is good for insomnia and frayed nerves.
Mullein’s astringent and demulcent properties make the herb excellent for bladder or urinary tract irritations, including hematuria (bloody urine). These same qualities also make mullein excellent for diarrhea.
Mullein is one of the herbal world’s great anodynes. Soothing relief from painful, bleeding hemorrhoids can be had by swabbing the anus with mullein infusion. If the ruptures are just inside the anus, a small enema may be taken for relief. Mullein infusion also makes an excellent fomentation for sore joints and minor muscle aches.
While other herbs such as garlic, wormwood and tansy may be more popular for expelling intestinal parasites, mullein is also of value when treating worms. Mullein tea is also a little known but powerful alternative herb, effective for blood cleansing. A tradition among African Americans was to take mullein tea and apply mullein poultices in the spring, as a cleansing measure.
The most famous use of mullein, however, is for treating respiratory infections, including consumption, its antibacterial qualities being effective against the tubercle bacillus. Bronchitis, whooping cough, upper respiratory infections and pneumonia can all be greatly helped by mullein.
The author’s first experience with the herb was in treating chronic bronchitis caused by too much smoking. I can attest to mullein’s great powers for respiratory problems.
The oil made from mullein’s small yellow flowers is an excellent remedy for ear infections as the oil is a germicide and analgesic. The oil is readily available in health food stores.
Preparation and Dosage
Mullein is prepared in the same way as other herbs. For an infusion, steep 1-2 ounces of herb in very hot water for 20 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey. Drink freely. The infusion tastes good and makes an excellent drink for both the sick and the healthy. Cloth strips may be soaked in the infusion for external fomentation.If you are using a store bought tincture or extract, simply follow the label’s directions.
One word of caution: If you are preparing either the tea or the infusion, be sure to strain it well. Small hairs of mullein can remain in the drink and, when ingested, can cause throat irritation.
Given mullein’s wide range of uses and inherent safety, it is a good herb to keep around the house, especially as we enter the cold season.
The late Stephen C. Byrnes was a nutritionist and natural therapist who practiced in Honolulu, HI. His articles have appeared in The Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation's Health and Healing Wisdom Journal, Common Ground, Vitality, Explore!, and Health Freedom News.
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