Mullein at a Glance

Category	Details
Botanical name	Verbascum thapsus
Plant type	Biennial
Height	Up to 2 m (6.5 ft)
Native to	Europe, Asia and North Africa
Foraging Tips	Mullein flowers in its second year, between June and August – It grows on roadsides, wasteland, dry banks, field edges, and disturbed ground – it tends to thrive where not much else bothers – Look for the tall spike of yellow flowers and the distinctive large, soft, furry leaves – The leaves can be harvested in the first year before flowering, the flowers in the second – As always, avoid picking near busy roads or anywhere that may have been sprayed
Main benefits	– Supports respiratory health and loosens mucus – Anti-inflammatory – Antiviral and antibacterial properties – Soothes skin irritation, wounds, and burns – May help with ear discomfort
How to use	– Dried leaves or flowers steeped as tea – Infused oil applied topically for ear aches – Poultices or salves for skin – Steam inhalation for congestion – Available as capsules, extracts, and tinctures
Safety notes	– No significant side effects reported – Avoid high-potency topical use if you have sensitive skin – No safety data for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or young children – avoid or check with a practitioner – Strain tea thoroughly to remove the plant’s fine hairs, which can irritate the throat
Storage	– Store dried leaves or flowers in an airtight container in a cool, dark place – Dried mullein keeps well for around 1 year – Infused oils should be kept sealed, away from heat and sunlight, and used within 6–12 months

Getting to Know Mullein

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a plant that’s easy to spot with its tall, sturdy stem and yellow flowers that appear in its second year, from mid to late summer. Its unique leaves are large, light green, and have a soft, furry texture, growing from the ground in a rosette shape.

Mullein is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa (3), and thrives in environments that many other plants might find challenging. Whether it’s pastures, meadows, forest clearings, or the sides of roads and ditches, mullein stands tall. It’s a hardy and adaptable plant, with the capacity to withstand drought and thrive in less-than-ideal soils.

The Benefits of Mullein

Mullein leaf stands out in herbal medicine, offering a wide range of health benefits. Its effectiveness in easing respiratory issues, calming inflammation, boosting immune health, and caring for the skin showcases its essential role in supporting natural wellbeing. Here’s a rundown of what it can do:

Respiratory Relief: Mullein shines when it comes to respiratory health. It’s an expectorant, meaning it helps clear mucus from the lungs. Its flowers and leaves contain mucilage, which coats mucous membranes with a film, reducing inflammation – making it useful for coughs, bronchitis, and asthma. (3) Before antibiotics, it was a go-to herbal remedy for pneumonia, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. (3)

Anti-inflammatory: Mullein’s active compounds include saponins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, and iridoids – all of which have anti-inflammatory properties. (2) This makes it useful for conditions like tonsillitis, arthritis and other inflammatory issues.

Skin Care: The same anti-inflammatory benefits can be applied to the skin, where mullein can help treat burns, wounds, and other irritations.

Antiviral and Antibacterial: A 2020 study found that mullein leaf has antibacterial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. (2) A 2023 study also showed antiviral activity against influenza A and herpes. (2) This makes it a solid natural option to support the immune system.

Antioxidant: Mullein contains antioxidants including vitamin C and flavonoids, which protect cells from free radical damage. clevelandclinic

Ways to Use Mullein for Healing

Mullein is a surprisingly useful plant. Its extract has also been used to ease menstrual pain, soothe haemorrhoids, and help with the discomfort of rheumatism – showing just how broad its benefits can be.

Different parts of it can be used in different ways:

Mullein tea	A simple and comforting way to enjoy mullein’s benefits. Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried leaves or flowers in boiling water for about 10-15 minutes. It’s soothing for the throat and can help with respiratory issues. Be aware though, that the plant is covered in tiny hairs which can feel irritating on your throat, so make sure to thoroughly strain your mullein tea before serving.
Mullein Oil	Mullein-infused oil can help with minor ear infections and aches. To make it, soak dried mullein flowers in olive oil for a couple of weeks, then strain the oil. A few warm drops can be used in the ear – but it’s best to check with a healthcare provider first, especially if there’s any chance of a ruptured eardrum.
Poultices and Salves	For things like swollen glands, bruises, or insect bites, mullein leaves can be used in poultices or salves. These simple remedies make use of the plant’s calming properties to help soothe the skin and support healing. To make a poultice, crush fresh or dried mullein leaves and warm them slightly before placing them directly on the skin, covered with a clean cloth. For a salve, gently heat mullein leaves in oil (like olive or coconut oil) for a few hours, strain, then mix the infused oil with beeswax to thicken.
Steam Inhalation	Breathing in steam from mullein leaves boiled in water can help clear your airways and make it easier to breathe when you’re congested. Just add some leaves to hot water, let it steep, then carefully inhale the steam.

What Research Is Saying

A 2021 review published in the journal Biology — “Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae)” – took a really interesting approach to understanding why mullein has been so widely used for so long. The researchers looked at 10 species of Verbascum documented in the Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity, cataloguing their traditional uses across the circulatory, digestive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and skin systems…

Rather than just listing what folk medicine claims, they reviewed the chemical composition of these plants and used computer modelling to investigate which of mullein’s compounds showed significant affinity for human molecular targets – essentially asking: does the chemistry back up the tradition?

The short answer is: largely, yes. Of the 83 compounds identified across the Verbascum species studied, 20 showed meaningful affinity for human molecular targets. The key players were flavonoids – including quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, and kaempferol – which showed strong anti-inflammatory action by interacting with enzymes involved in the body’s inflammatory response.

The researchers found that most of mullein’s traditional uses – from respiratory complaints and rheumatism to skin conditions and digestive issues – could be explained by this underlying anti-inflammatory activity. Which is a lovely reminder that sometimes the plants people reached for instinctively, long before anyone knew what a flavonoid was, were doing exactly what was needed.

So next time you spot this unassuming tall plant by the roadside, you’ll know to harvest some for your medicine cabinet. Just don’t forget to strain your tea.

Sources:

1. WedMD – Mullein – Uses, Side Effects, and More
2. Healthline – What to Know about Mullein Leaf Benefits, Risks, and More
3. Cleveland Clinic – How Mullein Benefits Your Lungs
4. National Library of Medicine – Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae)