Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)

Question 1

How do you recognise Mullein?

Answer 1

• A biennial with down covered leaves and stems – sometimes known as known as hairy mullein or beggar’s blanket.
• Yellow five petalled flowers, also downy.
• In its first year exists as a basal rosette of leaves. In 2nd year grow up to 2m tall. Leaves sessile.
• Native to Europe, N. Africa & Asia.
• Grows on thin soils or stony ground.
• Many other species in genus – some also used medicinally. In the UK at least six.

Question 2

What are Mullein’s main constituents?

Answer 2

• Mucilage & other polysaccharides.
• Flavonoids – hesperidin, luteolin – anti-inflammatory.
• Iridoid glycosides – aucubin & catalpol.
• Essential oil – with antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory actions.
• Resins in flowers.
• Verbascoside an anti-inflammatory phenylethanoid.
• Saponins – mucolytic.

Question 3

What family is Mullein in?

Answer 3

A member of the Scrophulariaceae

Question 4

What is Mullein good for?

Answer 4

**Summary: ** Soothing, usually used for respiratory passages and skin. Bendle uses it for coughs, to soothe.

**Actions: **
* Demulcent.
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Expectorant & antitussive.
* Antibacterial, mild antiviral & antifungal.
* Externally emollient, anti-inflammatory & vulnerary.

**Applications: **
* **Coughs **– both productive & dry.
* Traditionally employed in TB and pleurisy.
* As an anti-inflammatory in UTIs.
* Externally for wounds and inflammation.
* Infused in oil for earache.
* Used in smoking mixtures.

Question 5

What is Mullein’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Verbascum thapsus

Question 6

What parts of Mullein do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used: leaves and flowers

Question 7

What safety issues might Mullein have?

Answer 7

Safe herb – although flower “hairs” may irritate mouth, throat & GIT, so you may need to filter if you are making your own medicine.

Question 8

What useful research does Mullein have?

Answer 8

External links:
Some great close-up photos of mullein
There is very little research available on this plant - & even less with free access!
This Review Article: Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects is neither particularly informative nor
rigorous in its examination of source material.
This one is better, but covers several species: Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of SpanishFolk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein(Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae)”

Question 9

What remedies might you use Mullein in?

Answer 9

Can be used as a drawing ointment.
Bendle has used for coughs, in tea or in tincture.