Use this stunning herb for respiratory illnesses and earache.
Mullein is a striking herb that looks good in a flower garden. The leaves are large, velvety and a soft greenish/grey colour, and the 2 metre tall flower spikes are full of bright yellow flowers.
There aren’t many things that goats won’t eat, but they really dislike mullein, so if you want to keep them out of your garden make a mullein hedge. (Goats also dislike hydrangeas, lavender and sage)
Over the centuries the plant has been used for magical, medicinal and practical purposes and has earned itself more than 30 common names. Candlewick, Aaron’s Rod, Hag’s Taper, Flannel Plant, Cowboy’s Toilet Paper, Tinder Plant, Beggar’s Blanket, Indian Tobacco and Quaker’s Rouge are just a few of them.
The long flower spikes were dipped into tallow and burned as tapers, and the dried leaves and stems have been used as tinder. Poor people lined their shoes and stockings with the leaves to keep their feet warm, and used the larger leaves to extend the life of worn soles.
The Romans wrapped soft fruit, such as figs in leaves to prevent bruising, and a leaf in the shoe was reputed to be an excellent contraceptive.
Since Roman times the flowers have been used to brighten blonde hair, and a cream made with the flowers softens the skin. And, if you want rosy cheeks without the rouge, copy the Quaker ladies and briskly rub a leaf over your skin.
The best reason to grow mullein is for its medicinal uses. It has a high mucilage content which makes it effective for respiratory illnesses. An infusion of the flowers and/or leaves will help coughs, colds, bronchitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and respiratory mucus. Asthma and whooping cough respond better to an infusion made with just the flowers.
A traditional remedy for asthma and TB was to combine dried Mullein and Coltsfoot leaves and smoke them. Hence the name Indian Tobacco.
It has also been used for urinary tract infections.
A cold infused oil of mullein flowers is a common remedy for earache, inflamed eyelids, haemorrhoids and eczema.
Mullein Verbascum thapsus