What You Should Know About Mullein

 What to know about Mullein

Photo above: Common Mullein in the first year

Latin Name: Verbascum thapsus                                            

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Growing zone: 3-9 and prefers partial sun and dry soil. 

It is very hard to transplant because of its long taproot.

In the spring you can find saplings from the previous years plants near the brown stalks that were once the flowers. You can gather the seeds and plant them in the fall.

Identification: 

Leaves: are soft and fuzzy like a teddy bear or velvet. They grow low to the ground in the first year and only foliage. First year they stay pretty small so on average no more than about 6-10 inches in circumference. The leaves are oblong and have a rounded point at the tip. They are silvery green gray in color. The leaves form a rosette pattern like the swirl of a rose. They are usually found in rocky or sandy soil. They are also found in ditches.

Flowers: The second year they begin to flower. Flowers are yellow and have petals that are about 0.25 - 1 inch in length and they are club shaped, They bloom between June - September. The flowers produce a heavy honey like scent that pollinators love. It is said that the stalk can tell you the condition of the soil. If you have clean soil that hasn't been contaminated by any pesticides or herbicides then the stalk will grow straight. If the plant is in an area where toxins are in the soil there will be toxins within the plant. The stalk will grow crooked or uneven. This is when you shouldn't harvest any of this plant nor any plant nearby. 

Stalk: Can grow up to 8 feet tall and also fuzzy alternate growing pattern leaves. They slightly point upward as to cup rainwater and guide it down to the roots. The flowers grow straight from the top of the stalk. When seeds mature and drop the stalk turns brown and looks like brown rock candy.

Seeds: The flowers will bloom and once pollinated they will leave behind brown capsules. These capsules will look papery thin and a roundish oval shape. They contain between 100,000- 180,000 dark brown tiny seeds that are about the size of a pinhead up to the side of a poppy seed. 

Medicinal Uses:

Leaves and flowers are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic,antispasmodic, astringent,demulcent,diuretic,emollient, expectorant, anodyne, and vulnerary. Mullein flowers and leaves can be tinctured,infused in oil, inhaled via vapor, smoked, dried and capsuled, or used as a tea; though the hairs on leaves can cause irritation. 

Tinctures: Taken orally for respiratory complaints to reduce mucus but stimulate the expulsion of phlegm. Taken for inflammatory conditions and pain relief.

Inhalation: For those who have breathing conditions that require the calming of the respiratory tract. You can do this by putting the herb in hot water and draping a towel over the head to inhale the steam coming off. Or burning the herb and gently blowing the smoke in the air toward the person.

Oil: Leaves and flowers can be infused in oil for ear or skin conditions and this can be used as a liquid or part of a salve for faster healing.

Flowers primarily coat the inflamed membranes where the leaves are more drying.

Magikal Uses:

Element: Earth                                                                       

Planets: Saturn, Mars

Energies: Courage, health,protection, and love.
Mullein is good for people who lost their sense of self.  It is used in rituals to help the person develop into who they are meant to be.

How to use: Place in an amulet to protect from nightmares and visitations by entities while sleep. Keep in the car for protection and safe travels.

Inner light: To help a person develop inner strength and be able to stand firm. Mullein helps those who struggle with their conscience and to gain the ability to see things that they did right or wrong in a situation and how to learn from their past mistakes.

Gift to those who have gone through traumatic life experiences to help them process and heal. 

Create a water essence for healing, light, and growth.