Mullein is a great natural remedy in traditional medicine to relieve respiratory conditions, allergies and certain skin disorders.

The mullein Verbascum thapsus L. It is a robust plant, which forms a wide rosette of basal leaves and small yellow flowers, highly coveted by countless pollinating insects. It has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. It is also known as verbasco, candelaria, guardalobo or guilla wedge in Catalan. In the Middle Ages it had been used as a torch, smearing the stem with oil and lighting it.

The plant grows throughout Europe, except in the extreme north, in mountain meadows, dry hills, land subject to clearings or avalanches, spaces affected by forest fires and edges of tracks and roads. It blooms in summer and it is the flowers that are used for medicinal purposes. They can be collected in summer, when they are well formed, or at the end of spring, when they begin to appear in the inflorescence. To a lesser extent, the leaves and roots are also collected.

In this video you will find two infusions for cough, one of the main indications of mullein, in which its flowers are used along with other related plants.

Mullein properties

Mullein flowers are very rich in mucilagea type of soluble fiber of viscous nature.

They also contain flavonoids such as verbascoside, hesperoside, rutoside, quercitin, kenferol or luteolol, as well as traces of essential oil, iridoid glycosides, such as aucuboside, harpagoside and harpagoside, tannins, carotenoid pigments, phytosterols, sugars.

Due to its composition, the mullein has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antitussive propertiesdemulcents, expectorants, diaphoretics, antirheumatics, diuretics, antidiarrheals, antioxidants, antibiotics, antiviral, antibacterialantipruritic and healing.

What is mullein used for?

Remedies with mullein are used to relieve respiratory problemsYes, it has been used for this purpose since ancient times.

Due to its great mucilaginous capacity, it is shown very effective in relieving throat irritationin colds, flu processes, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis and allergies. It had also been used, in traditional treatments, to combat hoarseness and the dry mouth.

1. Mullein for cough and allergies

The different symptoms of allergies, including spring allergy due to pollen or that caused by dustcan be successfully relieved with herbal formulas that include mullein.

Due to its properties, mullein helps reduce some classic allergy symptoms with rhinitis, such as irritative or persistent cough, lung congestion (reduces mucus), eye inflammation, watery eyes, runny nose, explosive sneezing and muscle pain.

Mullein also stimulates sweating and contributes to lowering the tenths of fever in flu episodes and other viral infections.

2. Mullein for the eyes

The purified (isotonized) infusion of mullein is applied in the form of an eyewash or eye drops to reduce eye inflammation, to relieve conjunctivitis and inflammation of the eyelids, as symptoms of allergies.

3. Mullein for the skin

Mullein is a traditional remedy for minor burns, sores and skin ulcers, on dermatitis and hives, in topical applications. It is applied for its healing properties on minor wounds, scratches and insect bites.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it has been popularly used as antirheumatic home remedyto relieve joint pain, and as a venous tonic, to relieve hemorrhoids, combined with other herbs with which it is complemented.

4. Mullein for digestion and fluid retention

Mullein has been used to treat diarrhea, to regulate intestinal transit and to relieve heavy digestion. As a diuretic plant, properly combined, it is intended to stimulate diuresis and combat fluid retention and edema.

5. Other uses of mullein

Mullein oil had been used to treat otitis and tinnitus, but its effectiveness in this regard has not been proven. They apply two drops of this oil in the ears. Do not try it without medical advice.

The decoction of mullein, associated with loosestrife and other astringent plants, had been used to mitigate the toothache and stop bleeding gums.

How to use mullein

You can find mullein in herbalists in different presentations, depending on the use you want to give it.

• In infusion From the dried or fresh plant, mullein is used for respiratory and digestive conditions. Also as a diuretic, combined with other herbs, at a rate of two cups daily.
• In the form of liquid extract and tincture.
• The concentrated and isotonized decoction prepares to apply it in the form of eye drops on the eyelids and around the eyes, when they are inflamed, and in mouthwashto apply as a rinse or gargle in case of pharyngitis, mouth sores, glossitis, toothache, as relief.
• The decoction in washes to clean and disinfect woundson insect bites, dermatitis and hives.
• The fresh leaves in the form of poulticesto apply on burns, scalds, dermatitis and insect bites.
• He mullein oilwhich we will obtain by macerating 20 g of mullein flowers in 40 ml of virgin olive oil, applied in drops in case of otitis or in massage as an antirheumatic. It can be purchased at herbalists in jars or gelatin beads.
• Hot compresses with flower infusion mullein and other herbs have been used as a decongestant, on the chest, in case of colds and flu.

Contraindications and precautions

Mullein flowers, paradoxically, can be somewhat irritating on contact with the pharynx. Therefore it is recommended pass the resulting infusion through a fine cloth to prevent brush from sneaking in.

For the rest it is a safe plant, which should be taken in recommended doses.

Home remedies with mullein

We tell you how to prepare a mullein infusion for allergies and another anti-inflammatory combination to reduce inflammation and ear pain.

Mullein infusion for allergies

This herbal tea helps relieve the symptoms of spring allergies, respiratory conditions with persistent or irritating cough, pharyngitis, laryngitis, etc.

Ingredients:

• mullein flowers
• Thyme tops
• helichrysum flowers
• marshmallow root
• Scots pine buds
• mint leaves

Preparation:

1. Mix the different plants in equal parts (for example, 20 grams per plant) and separate one tablespoon of the mixture per glass of water.
2. Boil for 2 minutes and let it rest for another ten. We strain and add syrup or similar.

How much to take: Three to five cups a day, moderately hot, while the allergy persists.

Herbal tea for otitis

This anti-inflammatory formula can reduce inflammation and ear pain.

Ingredients:

• Mullein
• Echinacea
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Lemon juice

Preparation:

1. Mix the plants in equal parts (for example 10 grams per plant) and separate one tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water.
2. Pour the freshly boiled water into the teapot with the herbs and let it rest for 10 minutes.
3. Strain and add half a glass of lemon juice.

How much to take: Up to 3 glasses a day, while the pain lasts.