Verbascum thapsus
AKA: Common Mullein, Gordolobo, Shepherds staff, Old Man’s Flannel, Velvet plant, Indian Tobacco, Candlewick plant, Camper’s toilet paper, Torches and many other common names including “those damn cabbages!”
Although considered a “noxious weed” by the state of Colorado, I would like to throw my hat in on this one. Invasive, yes it can be, but noxious, not so much. The online dictionary defines the word noxious as “Harmful to living things; injurious to health”.
Considering that Mullein is one of the first plants to come back in the Hayman burn area, in abundance I might add, speaks to one of its many uses. Invasive plants that form dense clusters in disturbed habitats help to protect areas from further degradation. Per herbalist Jim McDonald, the easiest way to get Mullein to grow is to burn a slash pile and sprinkle the seeds on top. In many ways Mullein is associated with fire; it heals the Earth, it heals the lungs and it can light your way in the dark as you’ll see below.
Almost everyone knows the Mullein by one or another of its many common names. Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, it was first introduced to the indigenous people of this continent by the Europeans and was quickly and widely accepted into their daily lives.
Description
Mullein is a biennial, in the first season of the plants growth there appears only a rosette of large leaves 6-18 inches long with dense white hairs making it feel thick to the touch. In the following spring a solitary, stout stem with tough, strong fibers enclosing a thin rod of white pith, arises from the middle of the leaves. The leaves at the base of the stem are large and numerous but become smaller as they ascend the stem. The leaf system is arranged so that the smaller leaves above drop the rain on the larger leaves below, which then direct the water to the roots, this is a necessary arrangement in order to thrive since the Mullein grows mostly on dry soils. The downy hairs which cover the entire plant so thickly act as a protective coat making sure the plant retains some of its moisture, and are also a defensive weapon of the plant. Not only do they prevent the attacks of creeping insects, the can be intensely irritating to mucous membrane of any animals that may attempt to graze on them so that the plants are usually left alone. Per Maude Grieve’s book titled A Modern Herbal, the down on the leaves makes excellent tinder when quite dry readily igniting on the slightest spark, and was, before the introduction of cotton, used for lamp wicks, hence another of the old names: ‘Candlewick plant”. Towards the top of the stalk which can and frequently does grow as high as 8 feet or more depending on conditions, the wooly leaves merge into the thick, densely crowded flower spike usually about a foot long. The flowers opening here and there on the spike not in regular progression from the base. The flowers themselves are stalk-less and yellow, nearly an inch across. Every day different flowers open on the stalk and they are only open for one day. The ripened seed capsules are very hard and contain many seeds, which eventually escape through two valves and scatter around the parent plant. Mullein likes to grow in families.
Besides being visually aesthetic, you will be surprised by the many uses of Mullein. Both medicinal and utilitarian, it’s one of the most incredibly diverse and useful plants in the herb kingdom and deserves its place on the list of all time useful plants. I use all parts of the plant and in many different remedies. Let’s take a look.
The Leaves
Mullein is relaxing, and helpful for lung conditions where there is tightness, tension, irritation and coughing. It is especially useful for wheezy asthmatic coughing and sudden abrupt hard coughing that makes your chest hurt afterward. A tea can easily be made from the dried leaves although you may want to strain it through a coffee filter before drinking to remove any leftover hairs. It can also be smoked like a cigarette; hence the common name Indian Tobacco, although this may not be the best choice, you can simply burn a small clump of the dried leaves and inhale (not directly) to decrease any spasms that may be happening in the bronchial area. Breathing in the distributed smoke often helps to calm respiratory spasms without requiring direct inhalation from a pipe or herbal cigarette, and is preferable for children and those with delicate lungs. It can also be taken as a tincture or used as a poultice on the chest. Interestingly enough, the pattern on the bottom of the leaf closely resembles lung tissue, reminding us of the Doctrine of Signatures. Signature having both the words sign and Nature together, sign of Nature.
A poultice can also be used to relieve painful joints. It’s very useful for hydrarthrosis; an accumulation of synovial fluids in movable joints such as water on the knee. A paste can be made and applied around the joint. It’s also used for horses suffering from hydrarthrosis.
Traditional uses of Mullein in France include as an emollient to soften tissues and bring fluid to an area to relieve inflammation. Specifically for injuries that produce a hard knot, it is especially useful for this. With this type of injury or for hard congested lymph glands, the leaves can be simply dipped in boiling water and, when cool enough, placed upon the afflicted area. Or the fresh leaf can be pounded and applied to the area as needed.
The leaves can be inserted into your shoes when hiking to provide a nice cushy padding at the same time providing anti-inflammatory action. Although one of Mulleins common names is camper’s toilet paper, I heavily advise against it. As mentioned above, the fine hairs are intensely irritating to mucous membrane.
The Root
I use Mullein root tincture for spinal issues, out of alignment conditions and many other joint issues as well as broken bones. It helps things to set into place and heal more quickly. It’s very useful in the treatment of chronic hip pain or other chronic long term pain. Mullein is useful for bladder incontinence or bed wetting in children due to a weak trigone in the bladder or lack of tone to the urinary tissues.
The optimal time to collect the root would be in the fall of the first year. Once the stalk starts to form the second year, much of the energy of the plant is going to form the stalk.
The Flowers-
Although the whole plant is good for acute pain, the flower is the strongest for relief of acute pain when accompanied by swelling and inflammation.
An infusion of the flower in olive oil is often used to clear up childhood ear infections. The oil should be warmed and tested on a sensitive part of the body to ensure that it isn’t too warm for the ear. One or two drops per dose repeated throughout the day. One can also massage the oil around the ear and down the eustachian tubes, it has a great affinity for the clearing of these tubes. Often the tincture can be used in the ear and is frequently more effective than the oil because it helps to dry up any excess fluid that may be contributing to bacterial proliferation. A tincture of any part of the plant will have similar action on ear infection.
For hemorrhoids, macerate the fresh flowers in warm milk, make a paste and apply locally.
For common cold a tea of the flowers can be used to calm inflammation of the throat and lungs. Today we use the leaves for this purpose but tradition shows that in the olden days the Europeans preferred the flowers. In the book Health Secrets of Plants & Herbs by Maurice Messegue, he says the flowers are much stronger than the leaves.
Infused flowers of mullein in warm milk with honey is very good for sore throat and irritated cough.
Start with whole milk (preferably goat milk) in a pan, cover with mullein flowers and gently heat until barely hot, remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes, gently heat again until barely hot, add honey, strain and serve. Sip when the throat tickles or when having an urge to cough.
Another veterinarian use for the flower is for dysentery in sheep. Infuse a handful of fresh flowers in a quart of water, administer this tea daily until symptoms abate.
The Stalk
Once the stalk has dried it can be dipped in tallow or melted candle wax and used as a torch. Hence the common name, Torches.
The Seeds
Although I have not used the seeds extensively, they also have a markedly calming affect when taken as tea or tincture. To be a responsible neighbor, the stalk should be harvested before the seed pods expel their many seeds so as not to invade your neighbor’s property.
Mullein Facts:
*The whole plant is a strong anti-inflammatory and relaxing nervine.
*Historically, Mullein was used for colic and diarrhea in children.
*Mullein is a good lymphatic helping to move lymph fluid when congested using a tincture of the leaf or root or a combination of both.
* Historically, the tea was used for respiratory issues in cattle.
*Mullein flowers in July and August
I for one would not be without Mullein in my herbal medicine chest and I’ve only just begun to list the never ending uses of this plant. If you live in Teller or Park County, there is probably some growing near you. As always, avoid harvesting your herbs by the roadside or where there is potential that they have been sprayed by man or beast such as public areas and parks.
Mari Marques is a Certified Herbalist and owner of The Thymekeeper. For questions or more information contact: Mari at mugsyspad@aol.com or 719-439-7303. Mari is available for private consultation or to meet with you and see what’s blooming on your property in July and August.
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