Mullein for Respiratory Tract Health

Mullein is quite common, growing in many parts of the world.  It is usually one of the first plants to move into an area of ground that has been disturbed.  Mullein helps to heal the land and bring it back to its natural state.

It is a biennial and in its first year, produces a rosette of large fuzzy leaves.  In the second year, Mullein shoots up tall thick shoots with small yellow flowers that bloom throughout the season.

The flowers are most commonly used to make an oil for ear pain and infections, as it is antibacterial.  Make sure to treat both ears, up to a few days after the infection has cleared, as they are both connected.  It can also be used as a balm to ease the tension in back muscles.

The leaf is used medicinally as a tea or tincture for the respiratory system, especially for deep-seated spastic coughs or dry irritating coughs including bronchitis and asthma.  It has a soothing, demulcent action.  Myself and my family found this tincture particularly helpful when we all contracted covid.  It helped calm our coughing, especially at night when the coughing spasms seemed to be at their worst.

Mullein has one of the highest safety ratings but the leaves have tiny hairs that can be irritating, so when using as a tea strain it well through a coffee filter.