Scrophulariaceae
Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, North Africa, Asia
Also known as: Common Mullein, Great Mullein, Cowboy Toilet Paper, Velvet Plant
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafFlower
Therapeutic Uses
Dry irritating cough, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, chest congestion, ear infections (flower oil — otitis media), respiratory catarrh, lymphatic congestion.
Herbal Actions
Expectorant, demulcent, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, vulnerary
Active Constituents
Iridoids (aucubin, catalpol), saponins, mucilage, flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, rutin), phenylethanoid glycosides, tannins
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture💧 Infused Oil
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, steep 15 min and STRAIN through cloth (remove leaf hairs), 3–5x daily |
| Tincture | 3–5 ml (1:5, 25% ethanol), 3–5x daily |
| Notes | Critical: always strain tea through fine cloth or coffee filter — leaf hairs cause throat irritation. Flower oil for ear infections: warm oil, drop 3–5 drops in ear canal, plug with cotton. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Seeds and roots not for internal use. Always filter tea — leaf hairs are irritating. No significant contraindications for leaf preparations.
Side Effects: Leaf hairs cause mechanical throat irritation if not filtered. Contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.