Mullein: useful properties and applications

The common mullein is a useful biennial plant. The height of its erect stem can reach one and a half meters. Large pubescent mullein leaves have an oblong shape. Pale yellow flowers are collected in a solid spike-shaped inflorescence. An elegant tubular-funnel-shaped corolla has a falling appearance. Five stamens adhering to it give the plant a unique image. Common mullein often blooms at the end of summer – in July and August. This grass can be found in central Russia on forest edges and glades, in ravines and clearings, as well as along river banks.

Useful properties of mullein

Mullein is rich in carotene, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, sugars, tannins and essential oil. It is known that this herb is an excellent expectorant with anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and analgesic effects. Along with this, the mullein boasts unique wound healing capabilities.

Application of mullein

An infusion of mullein flowers is often used for severe coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, as well as pneumonia and hemoptysis. It perfectly removes thick sputum from the bronchi and lungs due to the mucus included in its composition. Traditional medicine recommends using this herb for severe colds, asthma, and shortness of breath. In addition, this wonderful plant copes well with diseases of the spleen and liver, inflammation of the stomach and intestines. To achieve a noticeable effect in treatment, mullein is almost always used in combination with other herbs.

Mullein from hemorrhoids

Mullein ordinary can be called one of the best remedies for the treatment of hemorrhoids. This medicinal plant contributes to the normalization of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, and most importantly, it is able to quickly stop bleeding, removing the inflammatory process from hemorrhoids. A decoction of mullein roots is used for sitz baths. You can also make poultices on the anus from pre-crushed leaves and flowers of this medicinal herb.

Cow’s milk tincture

Mullein tincture is made from 100 grams of freshly picked flowers and 250 grams of alcohol. It is necessary to insist the remedy for at least 20 days and only then strain. This medicine is indispensable as a rub for rheumatic, nervous and arthritic pains.

mullein leaves

Mullein leaves should be stored along with the collection of flowers on sunny days. Well-dried leaves keep a gray-green color for a long time. They taste slightly bitter and have no smell. For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to boil the leaves in milk to relieve the pain of burns or hemorrhoids.

Mullein flowers

Healing mullein flowers are used as a soothing cough and shortness of breath, and they are also included in the well-known chest collection. Collected flowers must be well dried in the fresh air, gently mixing. If the drying technology is not violated, they will not lose their yellow hue and will have a pleasant honey aroma.

Common Mullein

So that the common mullein does not lose its healing qualities and light golden color in the process of collecting and drying, it is necessary to collect it during the dry time of the day. In good raw materials there should be no cups of flowers. Drying can be done indoors, but then it should be well ventilated. Immediately after harvesting, it is recommended to place the flowers in a hermetically sealed container or use them as a necessary component in various collections. In folk medicine, mainly leaves and flowers are used, which are harvested at the end of summer.

Mullein scepeteriform

It’s no secret how widely mullein scepter is used to treat hemorrhoids. In addition, it is this species that is part of various medicinal tinctures. This plant has such medicinal properties as expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory. It is the scepter-shaped mullein that cures pulmonary diseases, even in a neglected form.

Mullein “royal scepter”

This plant is really very similar in shape to the majestic royal scepter. Such a grass can be of impressive size, growing up to 2 m. This species blooms almost all summer. Blooming flowers are collected, dried and unique tinctures are made that cure many of the internal organs of a person. And most importantly, the mullein “royal scepter” perfectly relieves pain of a different nature.

Mullein “bear’s ear”

Mullein “bear’s ear” differs from other species of a similar plant in the small size of the corolla and two lower stamens. This herb, indispensable for traditional medicine, grows on sandy slopes and forest clearings. Flowering continues from July to August.

Mullein purple

Mullein purple is an elegant perennial with delicate purple flowers. An upright stem can be both multi-leaved and leafless. The flowers are collected in sparse simple brushes. The fruit is presented in the form of an ovoid box, most of which is naked. This grass blooms in June and early July. Infusion of purple mullein perfectly stimulates cardiac activity and motor activity of the human intestines.

Mullein hybrid

Mullein hybrid is an unpretentious biennial plant with erect stems and petiolate basal leaves collected in a rosette. Inflorescences of yellow color are presented in the form of a panicle or spike. This herb is drought and frost tolerant and also loves light. Mullein hybrid gives abundant self-seeding, often clogging the adjacent plots of land.

Mullein paniculata

Panicled mullein is a special variety of mullein, which is distinguished by the height of an upright stem up to 130 cm and the presence of serrated leaves. The flowers of the plant are collected in a kind of brush, and the fruit is in a box. Mullein paniculata is found both in the Urals and in the Volga region, mainly on hillsides and dry meadows. This herb blooms from June to August. It has been found that infusions from it can lower blood pressure.

Black mullein

The black mullein is characterized by a spindle-shaped root and an erect stem, not exceeding 1 m in height. This plant has regular leaves, and mullein flowers are collected in unusual bunches. This grass blooms all summer, from June to the end of August. As a rule, only black mullein flowers, which have a sweet smell even when dried, are used in medicine for the treatment of the upper respiratory tract.

Mullein densely flowered

A two-year-old densely flowered mullein in the second year of life has a flowering stem, the average height of which is about 70–80 cm. This plant is covered with felt pubescence, and the basal leaves amaze with their oblong shape. Dense apical racemes form inflorescences. The fruit is an elliptical box, the size of which does not exceed 1 cm. This plant blooms all summer, and the seeds ripen in early autumn.

mullein olympic

Olympic mullein is a large perennial plant that reaches 2 m in height. This grass has large elongated leaves of a grayish tint. The flowers do not exceed 3 cm in diameter and are collected in a simple paniculate inflorescence. Olympic mullein blooms in July.

Contraindications to the use of mullein

There are no serious contraindications to the use of mullein in medicine. But it is worth considering the individual intolerance of each individual person.