Mullein is commonly known as a respiratory remedy, stimulating fluid production and reducing inflammation which makes her a great expectorant.

Botanical Name:  Verbascum thapsus

Family:  Scrophulariaceae

Parts Used:  Aerial parts (leaves and flowers)

Flowering Period:  June – September

Constituents:  Saponins, mucilage (leaves), volatile oil (flowers), flavonoids (papaverine), glycosides (aucubin, verbascoside)

Medicinal Actions:  Internally – expectorant, demulcent, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic (mildly), diuretic (mild), anti-inflammatory.  Externally – vulnerary, emollient

Uses:  Bronchitis, coughs, colds (helps with catarrh), flu, hoarseness, asthma, insomnia (flowers), gastrointestinal ulcers, inflammation in the urinary system.  Externally – inflamed skin, joint pain, earache, inflamed mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, haemorrhoids (flowers infused in oil)

Therapeutic Dosage:  Infusion 4-8g (2-3 teaspoons) three times a day.  Tincture 1:5, 25% alcohol) 4-8ml three times a day.

Contraindications:  None known

You might also be interested in the folklore of Mullein.  An article explaining why she was given some of her common names such as White Man’s Footsteps.