How to Harvest, Preserve, and Medicinally Use Mullein
Steeply rooted in traditional medicine, mullein is a plant that has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years. From respiratory illnesses to earaches and generalized pain, it has been found to be a useful treatment for several common ailments.
What Is Mullein?
Verbascum thapsus, often called common mullein, is a plant originally native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. Brought by European and Asian settlers to the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand starting in the 1700s, it is now commonly found in most parts of the world. References to medicinal uses of mullein have been found in the history of several of these areas. You can find references to the plant everywhere, from ancient Greek writings to historical Himalayan folk tradition. It has been documented for its medicinal use for thousands of years.
Mullein is a biennial plant, meaning that its life cycle spans for a total of 2 years. In its first year, it grows a rosette of leaves, known for their velvety-soft, flannel-like feel. In its second year, a tall stem emerges from this rosette, growing up to 6 feet in height. This stem sports spikes of yellow leaves during the summer, that then dry and turn brown during the fall. It is mildly invasive and grows well in many locations, including open fields, mountainsides, and roadsides. Because of its adaptability and high likelihood of spreading, it is pretty easy to find once you start looking.
How Does It Work?
Mullein has several phytochemicals, or active ingredients, that bolster its medicinal properties.
Saponins. These act as a gentle expectorant. This means that they draw moisture into an area, helping to dilute and move whatever is stuck in that area. This is one of the reasons mullein is so helpful in respiratory issues. The saponins draw moisture into the mucus, helping to break it up and make it easier to clear the airways when coughing.
Mucilage. This fiber creates a gel-like coating that helps to soothe irritated tissues and mucus membranes.
Flavonoids. These compounds give mullein its antioxidative properties. They reduce oxidative stress by fighting free radicals (unstable molecules known to cause long-term tissue damage). In doing so, they calm irritation, reduce inflammation, and also help with spasmodic issues.
Iridoid Glucosides. These phytochemicals give mullein its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Phenylethanoid Glycosides. These also help bolster mullein’s antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties and play a large part of the pain relieving effect of mullein.
Medicinal Uses
So what do all of these fancy phytochemicals do? They come together to create a host of medicinal properties you can use to treat several everyday ailments!
Respiratory Issues. Mullein is known to help clear congestion and soothe irritated throat and respiratory tissues. Its saponins draw moisture into pockets of mucus, thinning the mucus so that it is easier to move and expel when coughing. Its gel-like mucilage fibers coat the throat and bronchial tissues, soothing any irritation and inflammation caused by the respiratory symptoms. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of its iridoid glucosides and phenylethanoid glycosides also help here with whatever virus or bacteria is causing the respiratory issues. Mullein’s leaves, flowers, and roots are often steeped into a tea to drink when experiencing such respiratory symptoms.
Pain Relief. The phytochemicals of mullein give the plant anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and soothing properties. The plant can be steeped as a tea for systemic pain relief or infused in a salve to apply topically to sore joints and tissues.
Skin Irritation. When infused in a salve and applied topically, the soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of the plant can help treat rashes, eczema, and minor burns and wounds.
Digestive Issues. The gel-like mucilage fibers of mullein can coat the lining of the gut, helping to ease any inflammation and bloating. The flavonoids of the plant have antispasmodic properties, which can reduce cramps and indigestion. Mullein also has antimicrobial properties, which can act against certain parasites and gut-disturbing bacteria, like E. coli.
Earaches. The anti-inflammatory properties of mullein can be used to reduce inflammation in the ear canal and eustachian tubes. Its mucilage fibers can soothe any irritation in the ear canal. The antimicrobial and antibacterial effects can help treat any underlying infection causing ear pain. The saponins can even draw moisture into the earwax, helping to clear any clogged area of the ear. Many put a couple of drops of mullein tincture into the ear whenever experiencing an earache.
Harvesting and Preserving Mullein
This all sounds pretty great, right? Can you believe this one plant can help with so many things? I certainly couldn’t. Before you can get started making teas and salves, you must start by harvesting and preserving your mullein.
Harvesting
The time of year you harvest mullein depends on which part of the plant you are planning to harvest.
Leaves. In the first year of the plant’s growth, you can harvest the leaves whenever the plant is in bloom, typically during the spring and summer. In the second year of the plant’s growth, you will want to harvest the leaves before the stalk emerges – usually in late spring.
Roots. Similar to harvesting leaves, when you harvest mullein root depends on what year of growth the plant is in. In its first year of growth, you can harvest the root whenever the plant is in bloom – spring and summer. In its second year of growth, you will want to harvest the root before the stalk has sprouted, usually during late spring.
Flowers. If you want to harvest mullein flowers, you must find mullein in its second year of growth, once the stalk has sprouted and grown. The stalk will grow spikes of yellow flowers that will be ready to pick during the summer.
Preserving
Once you have harvested the leaves, roots, and/or flowers, it is time to preserve your mullein. To do so, you will want to dry out each part of the plant.
Leaves. To dry the leaves, you can either lay them flat on a drying screen or tie into bundles. With either method, it can take several weeks for the leaves to dry as they are usually quite thick. You can also dry in a dehydrator at 100°F for 8-12 hours.
Roots. To dry the roots, lay them flat on a drying screen or hang with enough space between each root that they are not touching. Leave for several weeks. You can also dry in a dehydrator at 100°F for 8-12 hours.
Flowers. Spread the flowers on a drying screen and leave for a of couple days. They should be ready to use pretty quickly!
What to Make with Dried Mullein
Now that you have gathered and dried your mullein, it is time to get the medicinal benefits from it. There are several ways to prepare mullein. The three most common are to make it into a tea, tincture, or salve. Choosing which method you will use depends on what health issues you plan to use it for.
Systemic. To treat issues “inside” the body, it is best to make a tea or tincture to consume. These systemic issues include respiratory, digestive, ear, and generalized pain symptoms.
Topical. To treat issues “outside” the body, it is best to infuse the mullein into a topical salve. The salve can be applied to areas of skin irritation or joint/tissue pain.
And That’s It!
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I hope you find mullein as helpful as I have. Treating everything from respiratory issues to generalized pain, it truly is a jack of all trades. Whether you make a tea, tincture, or salve, it really does work wonders. If you have used mullein products before or are just starting your mullein journey, I would love to hear about it in the comments below!
Until next time,
Cabin and Quill Homestead
**This post is in no way meant to be medical advice. While I have found mullein to be useful for myself and my family, everybody is different and will react to things differently. Please take care of yourself, make an informed decision, and seek medical advice if necessary when considering using mullein.**
