About the Uses of Mullein

In the old days it was thought that mullein was effective in driving away evil spirits. Those who wished to protect themselves against hexes and curses dipped the stalk in wax and burned them. These days the plant isn't used for that so much any more, but it still has a variety of uses.

What is Mullein?

• Mullein is the name given to plants from the Verbascum genus, which belongs to the figwort family. It's an Old World plant, introduced to North America during its colonization. Nowadays it's a common plant in the United States

  Mullein can grow to between four and six feet tall, with a central stalk covered in flowers that protrudes upward from the center. Its leaves and flowers are covered with fine hairs, which help the plant retain moisture.

Mullein for Respiratory Ailments

• Probably the most common use of mullein in alternative medicine is for the alleviation of respiratory ailments. Whether given as an infusion (tea), or smoked, mullein is said to relieve symptoms of asthma, cough and other respiratory problems, probably due to its mild narcotic effect.

Other Medicinal Uses of Mullein

• Mullein worked into a tincture (an alcoholic extract) also has the ability to disinfect cuts and scrapes. As a poultice, it can also relieve pain and swelling associated with sunburn and surface infections of the skin. Mullein is also used to relieve ear infections and hemorrhoids, as well as diarrhea.

Mullein Toxicity

• Mullein, though widely used, has a relatively low incidence of toxicity in typical use. However, the extracts in large doses have been observed as toxic. The seeds in high doses are considered to be toxic, as well.

Other Uses of Mullein

• When not being used for medicinal purposes, the yellow flowers of the mullein plant can be used to create yellow hair dye. The leaves, because of their flammability, can be used as kindling or candle wicks. The leaves also contain rotenone and can be used to create an insecticide. Some varieties of mullein, when potted, can be an attractive houseplant.

Other Names for Mullein

• According to medical reference website WebMD.com, other names for mullein include Aaron's Rod, Adam's Flannel, American Mullein, Beggar's Blanket, Blanket Herb, Blanket Leaf, Bouuillon Blanc, Candleflower, Candlewick, Clot-Bur, Clown's Lungwort, Cuddy's Lungs, Duffle, European Mullein, Feltwort, Flannelflower, Fluffweed, Gidar Tamaku, Hag's Taper, Hare's Beard, Hedge Taper, Higtaper, Jacob's Staff, Longwort, Orange Mullein, Our Lady's Flannel, Rag Paper, Shepherd's Club, Shepherd's Staff, Torches, Torch Weed, Velvet Plant, Verbasci flos, Wild Ice Leaf, Verbascum densiflorum, Verbascum phlomides, Verbascum thapsus, Verbascum thapsiforme, Woolen and Wooly Mullein.