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Common Name: Mullein, Verbascum, Candlewick Plant, Lungwort
Genus: Verbascum
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Mullein is a biennial o perennial plant growing tall and up to 2 meters. In its first year produce a dense rosette of wooly leaves at ground level, while the second it sends up huge flower spikes with many bright densely clustered yellow flowers which only open for one day.
Mullein plants produces plenty of seeds each second year and some of them can lie dormant for as many as one hundred years, reason why is easily find growing pretty much everywhere. Its yellow flowers bloom in late summer, the stalk stands tall through the winter and the low-lying rosette will remain green through cold weather and snow. Mullein is often gathered wild in areas free of pollutants, for its leaves and flowers.
Collect the large basal leaves close to the ground at most any time of year, while flowers are to be picked in summer, mid-morning after dew has dried.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
The plant has a long history of use as a herbal remedy. It is known for its astringent, sedative, and relaxing properties. It is often used to treat respiratory issues such as asthma and cough or colds.
Dried and powdered Mullein leaves are often added to smoking blends for its beneficial effects on the respiratory system. However, smoking is one of the least effective means of using this plant’s properties. Flowers and leaves can be dried and made into a tea, as well as tinctures, syrups and essential oil.
Drinking Mullein tea can help you deal with a number of digestive conditions. As mentioned earlier, its leaf extract has expectorant and anti-bacterial properties, which makes the tea an ideal home remedy for flu or cold. The saponins present in Lungwort give its expectorant properties that help reduce the amount of mucus produced and decreases congestion.
Mullein tea is also recommended to fight insomnia as it can act as a natural sedative and soothes your nerves. A tea made from its roots is useful as a wash for eye soreness. The fresh leaves can also be applied as poultice on sores, cuts, and skin inflammations.
Mullein leaves is commonly used by herbalists to aid those who want to quit smoking. Its tea or tincture is recommended to support the health of the lungs, while using it as a smoking herb to assist with the desire to smoke something.
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