Learn About Mullein: Research on Traditional Herb Uses

What Is Mullein and Where Does It Come From?

Mullein is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine practices for hundreds of years. The plant belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family and grows wild in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. The most common species studied in research is Verbascum thapsus, also called great mullein or common mullein. The plant is easy to recognize because of its distinctive tall flower stalk that can reach heights of 3 to 6 feet, covered in small yellow flowers that bloom in summer months.

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The plant thrives in dry, rocky soil and areas with poor growing conditions where other plants struggle to survive. Historically, mullein grew so commonly along roadsides and in fields that people called it "torch plant" because they would sometimes dry the stalks, dip them in fat or oil, and use them as torches for light. This widespread availability made it a popular remedy in folk medicine traditions across Europe and eventually in North America.

Different parts of the mullein plant have been used in traditional practices. The leaves are the most commonly used part, though some traditions also used the flowers and roots. The leaves are typically harvested in the first year of the plant's growth, before it flowers. Traditional practitioners dried the leaves to make teas, infusions, or other preparations. In some cases, the fresh leaves were made into poultices or salves that could be applied to the skin.

Modern botanical research has identified several compounds in mullein that may explain why traditional cultures valued it so highly. The plant contains flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and saponins—chemical compounds that researchers are studying to understand how they work in the body. The dried leaves contain mucilage, a gel-like substance that some researchers believe contributes to soothing properties associated with the plant in traditional use.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding the basic characteristics of mullein—where it grows, what it looks like, and which parts are traditionally used—provides context for why different cultures incorporated it into their health practices. This foundation helps readers evaluate historical use claims and understand what researchers are actually studying.

Traditional Uses of Mullein in Historical Medicine Systems

Throughout history, mullein appeared in the written records of several medical traditions. In European herbalism, mullein leaves were traditionally prepared as a tea or infusion and used to address respiratory concerns. Medieval herbals documented the plant as a remedy for coughs and throat irritation. British herbalists in the 1800s recorded using mullein flower infusions, and the plant eventually appeared in official pharmacopeias in several European countries. The Eclectic movement in American medicine, which developed in the 1800s and incorporated botanical remedies, included mullein in their published materia medica—their reference books on medicinal substances.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine, plants from the Scrophulariaceae family appear in various formulas, though mullein specifically has not been a primary ingredient in classical Chinese herbal texts. However, some modern practitioners have incorporated mullein into broader herbal protocols. In Ayurvedic medicine from India, while mullein is not mentioned in ancient texts, some contemporary Ayurvedic practitioners have adopted it into their practices after learning about its use in Western herbalism.

German herbalists documented mullein use extensively. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, German naturopathic practitioners recommended mullein leaf tea for what they called "catarrhal conditions"—a broad term for conditions involving mucus membrane irritation. This documentation provides researchers today with specific historical records of how mullein was actually used and what conditions practitioners thought it addressed.

The folk medicine traditions of rural Europe passed down knowledge about mullein preparation methods through generations. Practitioners made infused oils by steeping flowers in oil, which some traditions claimed were useful for ear concerns. These preparations appeared consistently across different regions, suggesting that multiple cultures independently developed similar uses. The repetition of certain preparation methods across different European countries indicates that traditional practitioners observed consistent patterns they felt warranted continued use.

Practical Takeaway: Examining historical records shows that mullein appeared in multiple medicine traditions with similar applications. This historical consistency provides researchers with specific hypotheses to test scientifically, rather than simply guessing at what might work.

What Modern Research Has Found About Mullein

Modern scientific research on mullein is still developing, with most studies occurring within the last two decades. Research has focused primarily on the plant's chemical composition and potential mechanisms of action rather than large-scale human studies. A 2015 review published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology examined mullein research and noted that while traditional use claims exist for multiple conditions, the scientific evidence base remains limited compared to the plant's historical use. The review identified that most existing research focused on laboratory studies of mullein extracts or small animal studies rather than human trials.

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Studies examining mullein's chemical composition have identified several potentially active compounds. Research has detected the presence of flavonoids like hesperidin and diosmin, which have antioxidant properties in laboratory settings. Scientists have also found iridoid glycosides in mullein leaves, compounds that appear in many traditional herbal remedies. Laboratory studies have shown that mullein extracts can demonstrate antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria in test tube experiments, though this does not automatically mean the same effect occurs in a living organism.

A 2009 study published in Phytotherapy Research examined a combination herbal formula containing mullein along with other plants for children with cough. The study involved 92 children with night cough and found that the herbal combination appeared comparable to a standard cough suppressant medication. However, this study tested a combination product, not mullein alone, making it difficult to determine what role mullein specifically played in any observed results.

Research on inflammation has shown some relevant findings. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that mullein extracts can reduce inflammatory markers in cell cultures and animal models. A 2017 study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences showed that compounds from the Verbascum genus demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory settings. However, researchers emphasize that laboratory results do not automatically translate to effects in human bodies, where digestion, absorption, metabolism, and individual variation all play roles.

The mucilage content in mullein leaves has received attention from researchers interested in traditional soothing and coating properties. Mucilage is a gel-like substance that forms when plant material contacts water. Some research suggests that mucilage-containing plants may have physical soothing properties, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Most of this research is still in early stages, with scientists working to understand how traditional preparation methods might affect the availability of these compounds.

Practical Takeaway: Current research supports further investigation into mullein but has not yet produced conclusive evidence for specific human health outcomes. Understanding the difference between laboratory findings and human clinical results helps readers evaluate research claims realistically.

How Mullein Was Traditionally Prepared and Used

Traditional preparation methods for mullein varied depending on the region and the intended use. The most common preparation was a leaf tea or infusion made by steeping dried mullein leaves in hot water. Typical proportions mentioned in historical herbals ranged from one teaspoon to one tablespoon of dried leaves per cup of water, steeped for 5 to 10 minutes. Some traditions used longer steeping times, believing this extracted more of the plant's beneficial properties. The resulting tea typically had a mild, slightly sweet taste with a subtle earthiness.

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Mullein flower infusions represented another traditional preparation method. These required gathering the small yellow flowers separately from the leaves, as the flowers had different characteristics. Flower infusions were sometimes preferred for specific uses because the flowers contained different ratios of active compounds compared to the leaves. Historical documents indicate that some herbalists made infused oils by placing fresh mullein flowers in a carrier oil—typically olive oil—and allowing them to steep in sunlight for several weeks. This oil preparation was traditionally applied topically rather than taken internally.

Poultices and salves represented the external application methods used historically. A poultice involved mashing fresh or rehydrated mullein leaves with water or other liquids to create a paste, which was then applied directly to the skin or wrapped in cloth. Salves were made by infusing mullein into fat or oil and allowing it to cool and solidify. These preparations were stored in containers and applied as needed. Some historical references mention making compresses by steeping mullein leaves in hot water and using the damp cloth on various areas of the body.

Standardized tinctures, which are alcohol-based extracts, represented another