Mullein Leaf – Herb of The Week

Mullein Leaf – Herb of The Week

Mullein has long been used in herbal medicine, especially in remedies that aim to soothe the respiratory tract and is also commonly used to treat ailments such as earache.

Mullein is a tall plant with bright yellow flowers. The leaves and flowers of the mullein plant have been used to ease cold-like symptoms and to improve breathing. It can be taken as a pill, powder, or tincture extract. It can also be made into a tea with hot water or boiled in milk, strained and served hot.

The compounds found in the leaves and flowers are generally believed to act as demulcents or expectorants. Demulcents are substances that calm irritation or inflammation in the skin or internal parts of the nose, mouth, or throat and Expectorants are agents for stimulating the production or secretion of phlegm.

Studies have discovered that Mullein Leaf can help kill creain bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Mullein opens the lungs, reducing tightness and lubricating the mucosa and is useful where there is tightness in the chest, throat or voice box or tightness in the sinuses.

Preparations & Dosages: The leaves as an infusion. 1-2 tsp dried herb in a cup of boiling water. Repeated 3 times daily. If using dried leaves strain through a fine mesh to remove any loose hairs which can cause irritation.

Mullein Tincture: 1-4ml, 3 times daily.

Oil: Flowers extracted into olive oil in the sunshine. 1-3 drops of oil in or behind the ear as needed.