Mullein Leaf

Mullein is a flowering plant that has long been used in herbal medicine. Scientifically named Verbascum thapsus, it originally grew in Europe and Western Asia but has now spread to other places as well, including the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. It thrives in a wide range of environments, including meadows, chaparral, deciduous forests, and evergreen forests. Due to its ability to grow in rocky soil, it may even be found as a weed in gravel pits or next to the side of the road.

It’s a biennial plant, which means it lives for two growing seasons. During its first season, it forms a gathering of fuzzy leaves, and in the second, it sends up a tall stalk with small yellow flowers. 

Herbal medicinal practitioners use the flowers, leaves, and roots of mullein for a few different purposes, but more study is needed to prove their efficacy and safety from a scientific perspective.

Mullein is generally considered safe, though there’s not enough research to say if it should be used during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before you take it.

Mullein may help curb inflammation. That’s because it contains certain plant chemicals (phytochemicals) called flavonoids, such as luteolin, quercetin, and apigenin, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemicals are chemicals found in plants that protect them from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Mullein reduces swelling in the joints and glands. Mullein is used for a number of respiratory diseases, including sinus congestion, hacking and whooping coughs, swollen glands, bronchitis, hay fever and asthma. The herb is also used to treat ear infections in children.