Home Medicine: Mullein for Earaches and Coughs
Common mullein, Verbascum thapsus, is a tall biennial that tolerates a wide range of growing conditions and is found throughout most of North America. As an herb, mullein is most commonly used to treat earaches and coughs, but has other uses as well.
The Mullein Plant and its Benefits
Mullein prefers to grow in the sun and is often found along roadsides or open fields. In its first year of growth mullein will form a wooly rosette growing low to the ground.
In its second year, it sends up a tall spike which then flowers. Once the flowers go to seed the plant withers and dies, the seeds are dispersed, and the cycle begins again.
Please keep in mind that I am not a health care professional, I’m just sharing some of the ways I use everyday herbs as home remedies for my family.
Mullein’s velvety alternate leaves have anti-spasmodic, expectorant, sedative and astringent properties which can be helpful in treating allergies, coughs, bronchial congestion and chest colds.
The leaves may also be used as a poultice for boils, swollen glands, bruises and insect bites.
The pretty yellow flower with its 5 united sepals, 5 united petals, and 5 stamen can relieve pain and both prevent and fight infection. It is often used to fight mild to moderate ear infections. Keep in mind that it is not to be used to treat swimmer’s ear or any condition where water is in the ear. In these situations, any oil can make matters worse.
Mullein Oil for Earaches
Begin by harvesting about 1/4 cup of mullein flowers, just as they are opening. Allow the flowers to dry for about 24 hours at room temperature, or dry them in a dehydrator at low heat for an hour or two. Drying the herb helps to prevent mold from forming.
Place the dried flowers in a small mason jar and cover them completely with olive oil. Cover the jar and allow the flowers to infuse in the olive oil for about 2 weeks.
For more information on infusing oils, and for ways to speed up the process, Five Ways to Make an Herb Infused Oil.
Once infused, strain the flowers from the oil and bottle the mullein oil. Be sure to label the bottle with the contents and the date you made it.
To use: warm the oil over very low heat until just warm. Do not allow it to get hot. You may want to consider testing the oil in your own ear before placing any in a child’s ear to be sure the temperature is correct.
You do not want the oil to be either cold or hot. Be sure to treat both ears since the infection can pass from ear to ear. Use 2 – 3 drops per ear, 2 – 3 times per day. As I mentioned above, mullein oil is not suitable for any condition where water is in the ear.
Mullein Leaves for Cough
When harvesting, be sure to choose healthy leaves from first year plants. Dry the mullein leaves thoroughly. In a dehydrator this will take several hours at 125°F. They will dry more quickly if torn or cut into smaller pieces.
When dry, crumble them, and store in a zip-lock bag, or glass jar. Be sure to label and date the container.
To use: Place 1 Tablespoon of dried mullein in a tea strainer. Place in a cup and pour boiling water over the tea. Allow to steep for at least 10 minutes.
Be sure the strainer you are using strains the tea completely since the small, hairy particles from the mullein leaf can irritate and actually cause coughing. You may want to consider making a tea bag from a coffee filter which does a great job of straining the tea. Sweeten with honey if desired. Not recommended for young children.
Drink as often as needed until the cough subsides. If you are unable to find mullein leaf growing in your area, you can purchase it here.
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Robin says
Mullein grows all over here. I haven’t yet used it but that will change this year as I start harvesting. Thank you for the information!
Susan Vinskofski says
You’re welcome, Robin. Thanks for stopping by!
Gail Mills says
Susan,
I started composting this spring. I had a lot of gnats for a while, but they have disappeared. I also have no odor with the compost, but I have discovered that my bin is full of maggots. This link says not to worry, but I’d like to know what you think. I’m concerned when I go to plant bushes this fall and try to use my compost I’ll have maggots eating my roots. . . as well as grossing me out.
http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Yucky-but-useful-Maggots-make-compost-3275776.php
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Friend!!! I’m so glad you’ve been able to get a composting pile going. That’s a really interesting article; I would agree that the maggots are not something to fret about. But, because of the ick factor, I would be inclined to add more browns – leaves, hay, or even shredded newspaper – and give your pile good turn. I think that may solve the problem.
Lynne says
Try mixing in some lime. I would concentrate where bugs are bad a give a good mixing, chopping up the rotting vegetation with your shovel ( the ones that go into a point work well. I like to put a sharp edge on it – like a knife-). Lime mixed into the bug nest, bug nest destroyed. May have to do this every few days. A layer of lime over your work when done. You can mix it up with wood ash, but lime is key. Will also break down your compost faster. I don’t like maggots and icky bugs either. You should be shooting for worms.
DeAnn says
I made a poultice wrap out of dried mullein leaves and water, wrapped in cotton, for my husband’s bad hip. Went from “I’ll try anything, I can’t even %$^&ing walk” to “it’s better” with a smile – 15 minutes. I will never be without it again.
Susan Vinskofski says
This is fantastic! I wonder if it will work for a lower back issue I’m having.
Kathy says
What do you mean by “alternate” leaves? Only use leaves from a plant not blooming or are the leaves okay to use regardless of whether this is a first year or second year (blooming) plant?
I have these in my veggie garden. I dug out some of them because I know they have lots of seeds and will come back with a vengeance, but it is such a cool plant.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Kathy, that’s a good question – on some plants the leaves are found across from each other on the stem – that is called opposite. When the leaves are not opposite each other, they are considered alternate. These are terms that help in identifying plants.
Most herbalist suggest harvesting the leaves from only first year plants – others say second year. I know, confusing, right? Either way, harvest them young and before the plant blooms.
Nina says
We just moved to a lot that has tons of Mullein plants. How can I know what a first year mullein plant is? They are everywhere.
Susan Vinskofski says
First year plants do not have the tall flower spokes. 🙂