Family: Scrophulariaceae

Parts used: flowers, leaf, root

Taste: Sweet, salty

Plant gifts: Mullein can be worked with to relax the lungs, soothe sore lungs, calm asthma, alleviate dry coughs

Plant preparations: tea (flowers) strong nourishing infusion (leaves), decoction (roots), tincture (all parts).

Mullein, a plant with tall, flowering spikes and soft, velvety leaves, has long been revered for its medicinal and magical propertie.

Mullein is native to central and southern Europé and western Asia but is mostly widespread. Mullein is a striking biennial that can reach 6-8 feet tall. In the first year mullein grows basal rosettes covered in wooly grey-green hairs. In the second year it shoots up a long hairy flowering stalk with small yellow flowers. Mullein is a beautiful addition to any garden and is attractive to many types of insects, butterflies and honeybees.

Mullein’s storied past is steeped in myth and folklore, providing a glimpse into the plant’s enduring significance. In ancient Greece, mullein was revered as a gift from the gods. Many herbs and plants have a long-standing association with divine protection and warding off evil. This myth highlights the plant’s role as a guardian against malevolent forces, a theme that recurs throughout history.

In medieval Europe, mullein’s protective qualities were well recognized. It was often hung in doorways or burned as an incense to keep homes safe from negative energies. The use of mullein as a candle wick  futher solidified its protective symbolism.

Roman soldiers used mullein wicks in their lamps, associating the plant with courage and bravery. These leaves and stems were dipped in tallow to create candles for outdoor ceremonies, emphasizing its role in bringing light to darkness. To invoke courage, mullein can be placed in one’s shoes or used in a bath. The herb’s energy is believed to infuse the wearer or bather with strength and fortitude, making it ideal for situations that require confidence and boldness.

Mullein was also integral to funeral rites in ancient Rome and medieval Europe. Its presence in these ceremonies symbolized light and guidance for the deceased in the afterlife. Monasteries grew mullein for its protective properties.

Thus, mullein’s history is a tapestry of protective, healing, and divinatory uses, woven through various cultures and eras.

Mullein leaf is nutrient dense. When prepared as a nourishing herbal infusion, you can drink it frequently, not only to support lung health, but also to benefit from its high levels of calcium and magnesium. Mullein’s roots dig deep into the earth, bringing minerals and metals into its leaves. While this can result in nutritive leaves, mullein also has the ability to uptake heavy metals, which could pose a health hazard for humans but also positive benefits for the soil.

Dry the flowers for use in teas and infuse fresh flowers can be infused or freshly dried flowers in a carrier oil for earache remedies (olive oil is nice).

The dense, wooly hairs on the mullein leaves can be a bit irritating. When drinking an infusion of the leaves, strain it through a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth to remove any hairs from the tea.

Historically the leaves have been known to make a great natural toilet paper, but be careful, som people can be sensitive to the little hairs that make the leaves fuzzy.

Enjoy the wonders of nature!