In the present day world of covid and other respiratory illnesses all too common, and with flu season here, Mullein is the super herb! Some call it the natural Mucinex and it grows well around here naturally, in our yards, in parks and all over. And all this time I thought it was just a pretty weed. (Picture is from my fiance's yard)
If you don't have mullein in your yard, you can get it growing easily by getting a large yellow seed head, like the one you see in the first picture, and pressing it on the ground where you want one to grow. And as you can see in the second picture, they can grow pretty tall, over 6 feet tall. They grow fine in full sun and even drought conditions as well as survive our cold and wet/snowy winter weather.
We prepare mullein by picking the leaves and flowers, drying them andthen cutting and shifting them. You can drink it in a tea or sprinkleit on food like you would Italian seasoning. It doesn't have much ofa taste but it has so many benefits due to it's antibacterialand anti-inflammatory properties. You can even make fresh ordried Mullein into a topical solution or moisturizer oil by using oneof two methods: the hot oil infusion or the cold steeped method. Inthe former you heat your carrier oil, e.g. olive, avocado oil, etcand seep the leaves and/or flowers of the mullein plant for 3 hoursand then strain the oil. In the cold steeped method, you soak theleaves and/or flowers of the mullein plant in your carrier oil for7-10 days, and then strain. People use the oil for earaches torelieve pain, eczema and many other skin problems.
Some people have allergic reactions to Mullein: ear pain or skin irritations/infections. So you might want to consult a doctor or try very little of it before using it regularly.
***Warning not good if you're pregnant or nursing.***
WebMDhas a good writeup on how Mullein works: "Herbal medicinespecialists, naturopaths, and other types of health practitioners mayrecommend mullein for: Asthma Cough Common cold Bronchitis COPD.Mullein is an expectorant, which means it helps the body expel excessmucus, usually by helping make your coughs more productive, to bringup mucus that may be settling in the chest or in the throat. It isalso a demulcent. Studies show that demulcents create a soothinganti-inflammatory coating over mucous membranes. "
here:(1)
Other Traditional Uses of Mullein in Folk Medicine in addition to the above mentioned:
Congestion
Constipation
Pain relief
Inflammation
Migraine
Sleep aid
Gout
Mullein has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral aswell as antibacterial properties in addition to all the abovementioned. While there are a few lab studies showing Mullein'seffectiveness, there isn't enough scientific evidence to prove allit's benefits. Healthline has a good write up on Mullein if you wantto read more about it.https://www.healthline.com/health/mullein-leaf#benefitsIhope this Mullein write up helps you all stay healthy. Please comeback and comment on how you used Mullein and it helped you.
Cheers!
(1) https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-mullein-tea#:~:text=Mullein%20is%20an%20expectorant%2C%20which,inflammatory%20coating%20over%20mucous%20membranesLookslike Peacehealth has a writeup on it also: https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-2133009
By Chief Editor Angelo-Lk-Whatcom-Rider-Writer, Published 1-29-24 Originally published in another publication Sept, 2023
About The writer: I've lived in Bellingham since February, 2011, and love the beautiful trees & greenery producing all that oxygen, and of course, the lake, bay, hills and mountains too. I've also been in the lovely Anacortes area for part of that time, going back and forth, since moving here.
Educational/Professional Background: Economics & Political Science Degrees at UCF. Attended Graduate School of Economics at FSU, and have worked for the FL Labor Dept as well as consulted for the FL Labor Dept on behalf of the US Labor Dept. I've been happily working in my own businesses since 1993.