You may see this month’s herb of the month out in the wild (or even in urban environments) fairly frequently: Mullein!
This plant (Verbascum thapsus) is native to northern Africa and many regions in Europe and Asia, but has been naturalized all over the world. It grows as a weed in disturbed soils, but it’s been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments. Mullein is still popular to this day in modern western herbalism due to its high content of antioxidants and beneficial compounds and its ability to support the body’s inflammation response. It’s most commonly used for supporting regular immune function and treating upper respiratory conditions.
A member of the Scrophulariaceae (figwort) family, mullein is a biennial. In its first year, it grows a basal rosette of soft, velvety silvery/light green leaves; only in its second year does it send up a central stalk that produces clusters of small yellow flowers that only bloom for a day. The stalk can grow to be quite tall (up to eight feet).
Historically, mullein has been used for all kinds of purposes, from “nature’s toilet paper” to warding off evil spirits, attracting love, and instilling courage. It can be used to make a soothing herbal tea, syrups, lozenges, salves, poultices, herbal ear oil, and smoke smudges for respiratory support.
The tea has a cooling effect when there’s a feeling of hot, dry tightness in the throat or chest, and is soothing to the mucosa. Mullein is considered an expectorant, and herb or substance that helps clear the respiratory system by thinning out mucus. Mullein leaves are similarly soothing to the skin when applied topically as a poultice or salve. A common ingredient in herbal ear oil formulations along with garlic, mullein is believed to promote drainage, which may help manage minor ear pain.
You can find mullein leaves in our bulk herbs department. To prepare as a tea, pour 8 oz. boiling water over 2 tsp. of herb. Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes, strain, and serve immediately.