The Wonders of Mullein and How It Brings Light

For thousands of years mullein has been known as a plant for healing, and a bringer of pollinators. What more could a gardener want?

Discovering mullein

My own introduction started when I noticed a robust rosette of soft velvety leaves appearing in the middle of the lawn, and in various other spaces around the garden.

I would usually pluck them out as I could not imagine it would be anything I wanted if it just appeared out of nowhere.

Then one year it happened. Perhaps the energy of communication that plants give reached my ear. It was saying wait and see. Maybe this is what Stefano Mancuso , the plant neurobiologist is talking about:

“On the basis of decades of experiments, plants are starting to be regarded as beings capable of calculation and choice, learning and memory. A few years ago, Switzerland, amid much less rational polemics, became the first country in the world to affirm the rights of plants with a special declaration.”

― Stefano Mancuso, Brilliant Green: The Surprising History and Science of Plant Intelligence

At first, it seemed to be most like Lambs ear, (Stachy byzantia), a woolly leaved plant used in the first world war for bandages, but as it grew, it became apparent that it was something else.

As it stretched and flourished, becoming more stately, its countenance was so much more special than I had ever imagined.

For all that mullein provides, it should always have a distinguished place in the garden.

Recently, I found a lucky mullein with a water view of the bay, surrounded by Queen Anne’s lace, goldenrod and other neighbours. It is usually found near water, or former water beds.

Mullein Ancestry

Great mullein or common mullein is officially known as Verbascum thapsus,

aka, cowboy’s toilet paper, pig candle wick, ice leaf, velvet dock, Our Lady’s candle.

Family ties: Scrophulariaceous or the figwort, Snapdragon family.

Origin is traced back to Europe and Asia, it immigrated and now and thrives in North America.

It is a biennial plant with low growth in the first year. In the second year it grows to a tall spike with a top flower. The soft leaves are covered in fine hairs.

It returns nutrition to the soil.

Medicinal Benefits and Other Uses

This plant is the traditional knowledge keepers medicinal go to for so many reasons including: respiratory diseases, and eczema. It can be made into a tincture, salve or tea.

According to the Doctrine of signatures the texture of the leaves is soft therefore this means it is gentle and beneficial. The patterns in the leaves is like that of the lungs therefore it is beneficial for that area of the body.

Mullein has anti spasmodic and expectorant.

Many first nations in the Americas used dried the leaves which were smoked for respiratory ailments because of its expectorant properties.

Indigenous peoples would make a poultice and use for pain, swelling and bruises.

It is for a cough syrup and mixed with other herbs.

Flowers steeped in olive oil are used for earache.

Next time you run out of toilet paper, find the mullein.

Walking stick – an innovative Youtuber has provided the instructions on how to make the mullein plant into a walking stick.

Find a stalk at the end of its growing season. Pull out the whole plant including the roots. Clean off all the dead leaves. See the video and you will end up with quite the conversation piece.

Mullein Tea

Steep dried mullein leaves in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes to make a tea which is used to support lung health.

Strain the tea to remove the fine hairs which can be irritating to the throat. Like anything else the tea should be taken in moderation. And always check with your health provider if you are taking prescriptions.

The dried leaf infusion has also been used to treat gout. Soaking the feet in this infusion is said to bring relief to gout sufferers.

The flowers can be infused with olive oil made and used to relieve earache.

Candle or torch

If you hold a dry mullein stalk you will see why the seedpod top has historically been used to make candles or a night torch in traditional ceremonies by many indigenous cultures. They would use pine sap or animal fat on the stalk. and it would give 30 to 50 minutes of light. when lit.

It can also used to make a hand drill fire, or a bow drill fire. You just never know when these skills and knowledge will come in handy so check out the many versions online.

Candles

Once the plant has finished flowering and has completely dried.

You can cut the top of the dried stalk with enough stalk to hold, or place in the ground.

Prepare bees wax or tallow in a double boiler. Recommend one used exclusively for herbs and salves, thrift stores may be a frugal and sustainable source to find one.

Place stalks across a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Some people dip the stalks in the wax, but I find it easier to pour the wax along the the dried flower stalk top.

Let each coat dry before applying another. Two should be sufficient.

Turn the stalks as you coat with wax or tallow. At this point you can add dried lavender or rose petals.

It can also be used as a fire starter. This plant has harnessed the power of the sun which is fire. This is an example of how our plant allies are great providers.

Stuns fish

The ground seeds from this plant were once used by the indigenous people to catch fish. Once scattered in a pond it will stun the fish allowing a fisherman to harvest them.

Indigenous peoples understood environmentally sustainable practices, so it would only be done once per year to leave an ecologically viable amount of fish.

Before you run for your fishing nets know that most areas have laws which prevent the use of agents to stun fish for harvest, so this practice may not be allowed on a fishing trip.

Sustainable footprint

Because mullein is common along the roadside and in random spots, one must remember to harvest responsibly and sustainably. Take a little and leave the rest. Know if you want to use year one or year two harvest as each one has a little different quality.

Have you used mullein? Share your experience in the comments below.