Mullein
This is a plant that I hear a lot of people speak ill of. Mostly because of their invasive status. And while this is true, this is a plant that has been used in various traditional medicines for centuries. They are most commonly known as a respiratory and ear medicine. While other traditional uses point to the use of roots in treating pain and stimulating the movement of fluid.
If you are worried about the spread of this plant, you can harvest all of the parts- taking the whole plant with you. Or you can harvest the tops, remove the leaves, pull the roots from the earth- and leave the roots as food for the soil, taking the other plant parts with you on your way.
One of my favorite uses for mullein is to make a steam out of the leaves. I have only done this with the dried leaves but I imagine the flowers would be great for this as well. As the flowers are very resinous containing volatile oils that soothe irritated and inflamed tissue states. This is part of what makes the flower so great in oil infusions. A few drops of this oil can be massaged into the ear lobe/canal for ear aches. We want to be mindful of this if we think there may be an ear infection as we want to minimize anything in the ear canal that could introduce bacteria and worsen the infection.
I have also heard that the leaves can be rolled and smoked to support the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
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My own personal perspective is that we shouldn’t bash any plant- as they too are a part of nature and have an inherent reason for being. So when I hear people talking about mullein in a destructive way, I feel a bit defensive of this plant. I think there is a way to be mindful of our relationship with invasive plants- while protecting our lands and promoting biodiversity; while creating the necessary space for our important native plants.
While they aren’t native here, they are native to Europe, North Africa and Asia- and have been used as medicine for centuries. This plant is now naturalized across North America.
To me, it is no surprise that this plant appears bountifully in our fire season here in California. To me, that points to their medicinal uses. A potent respiratory ally for irritated and inflamed tissue states. Residual smoke and dust from fires can have a lasting effect on our lungs and respiratory system. Mullein, acts as a great ally for imbalances such as these. And is also very supportive to ear aches in the fall and winter.
So, if you are out and about and see a patch of mullein growing- don’t be shy.
Fill your basket and share with your community.
Verbascum thapsus
Family:Scrophulariaceae family
Native habitat: North Africa, Europe, Asia
Parts Used: flowers, leaves, roots
Notes:
Mullein is known as an extremely invasive plant in North America
All parts of this plant can be used in medicine making with different preparations, like the leaves, flowers and roots.
The leaves and flowers are more commonly used while the root is used in some traditional preparations.
The roots contain different energetics than the flowers and leaves.
The roots are more stimulating, cleansing and warming-while the flowers and leaves are more cooling, and relaxing to the tissues.
When harvesting this plant in the wild you can take the whole plant out, harvest what you plan to use and leave the rest of the plant to decompose- being sure to take the flowering parts that can reseed.
When you can- avoid planting invasive species.
Invasive species out competes native plants that increase biodiversity and welcome native pollinators.
The flowers make an amazing oil infusion for sore and irritated ears.
The leaves and flowers also can be used to make a steam for ear and sinus infections.
Our ears, sinus and respiratory systems are all extremely connected and this plant used as medicine works on all of these systems.
Tastes:
Sweet, bitter
Identification:
Leaves:
Alternate along the central stem
Has wings that connect to the central stem that goes up the stem between each leaf
Leaves are fuzzy
In the first year the leaves grow as a basal rosette
Leaves are oblong to lanceolate
Pale green to silvery grey in color
Flowers:
Crowded densely along the upper portion of the stalk (second year stalk)
Yellow flowers that can be up to an inch wide
Flowers have 5 rounded petals clustered tightly around the stalk
Grows sporadically from the bottom of the stalk to the top of the stalk-not all at once
Roots:
Thick slightly wooded taproot grows in first year
Fibrous shallow lateral roots that grow secondary to the large taproot
Herbal Energetics:
Leaves & Flowers: cooling, moistening, relaxant
Roots: warming, drying, toning
Herbal Actions:
Leaves- relaxant, mucilaginous, expectorant, pectoral, lymphatic, demulcent
Flowers- relaxant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, nervine, analgesic
Roots- stimulant, astringent/toning, anti-inflammatory, lymphatic, nervine/relaxant, analgesic
Tissue State Indications:
Leaves & Flowers:
dry/atrophy
damp/stagnation
heat/excitation
tension/constriction
Roots:
damp/stagnation
cold/constriction
relaxed/atony
Contraindications:
Avoid use with perforated ear drums
Those with plant allergies in the figwort family
Can cause blood clotting and interact with medications if taken before a surgery
Can interact with medications like blood thinners & diuretics
Subtle body wisdom:
Nature tells us the medicine we need and when we need it.
Don’t speak ill of nature.
All life has value.
We can tend to the land as the land tends to us.
Medicine is all around us.
Don’t underestimate the power of invasive plants.
Know the impact on the earth of the plants you use as medicine.
Nature is wise and inherently intelligent.
The plants give the medicine of the season.
Too much fire cannot be catastrophic.
Fire is a transformative and destructive force.
Please remember to always use at least 3 identification sources when wildcrafting. Also be mindful of where you are harvesting. For example, making sure the plants are not near roadways or somewhere they can become polluted by exhaust or pesticides.
Disclaimer: These articles are for educational purposes only, they are not a substitution for professional medical advice, and as the reader you are responsible for your own health decisions.
