The great mullein, also known as greater mullein or common mullein, also known as bouillon-blanc, is an extraordinary plant that deserves a special place in our gardens and medicine cabinets. Native to the Mediterranean basin, this majestic plant, with its tall stems and bright yellow flowers, is a true botanical gem. Whether for its sculptural, eye-catching appearance in landscaping or for its many medicinal virtues, mullein never ceases to fascinate.
Easy to grow and care for, it’s just as simple to use to strengthen the lungs and bronchi, its preferred areas of use. By adopting mullein, you’ll discover a precious ally not only for the respiratory spheres, but also for the immune, integumentary, nervous and digestive systems.
In this article, we’ll explore the many facets of greater mullein, from its traditional uses and medicinal properties to its cultivation requirements and precautions. Prepare to be amazed by this versatile plant, which has much to offer both the keen gardener and the knowledgeable herbalist.
Verbascum thapsus was introduced to North America in the 1600s as a medicinal herb and fish poison. It quickly naturalized and spread across the continent, particularly in disturbed areas such as roadsides, pastures, and recently burned or cleared lands. Today, common mullein is found across the United States and Canada, particularly in areas where soil disturbance has occurred.
Common mullein is classified as a noxious weed in several regions. A “noxious weed” is a plant that is harmful to agriculture or ecosystems, and its classification as such often requires landowners to manage or eradicate it. This classification highlights the potential long-term environmental and economic consequences of allowing Verbascum thapsus to spread unchecked, particularly in areas where it displaces valuable native species or contributes to pest infestations.
Verbascum thapsus thrives in disturbed soils, such as roadsides, open fields, and areas with poor soil conditions. Although not considered highly aggressive in all regions, it is still managed in places where it negatively affects biodiversity and displaces native species.
Mullein’s Names
It is native to the Mediterranean basin. The Romans called it candelaria and used its oil-soaked flowering stems to make candles.
Mollein is derived from mollis, meaning soft, but also emollient.
In France, the specific species of Verbascum thapsus, the most widely used and recognized medicinally, is called “bouillon-blanc”, while the term mullein applies to the Verbascum genus in general.
“Verbascum” may come from the Latin barbascum, meaning bearded, in connection with the hairy appearance of its leaves (and indeed of almost the entire plant, with the exception of a few parts of the flowers which are free of it).
In North America, the term common mullein is preferred to refer to V. thapsus, and to avoid confusion, the Latin name is often used. But since species hybridize quite easily, many herbalists are rather lax and accept several mullein species as medicinal and interchangeable. This makes the generic term mullein very useful.
In Quebec, mullein is also sometimes referred to as “devil’s tobacco”. Why this name? Perhaps because mullein is smoked by many First Nations peoples and, in small doses, is said to have pectoral properties. I’ve also read recommendations to gradually substitute more and more tobacco with mullein leaves to help combat addiction. Have any of you tried it? Share your experience in the comments!
Botanical Description
Scrofulariaceae family
A biennial, common mullein forms a large rosette over 30 cm long with very lanuginous leaves in its first year. In the 2nd year, a huge stem is added, reaching 1 to 2 m depending on growing conditions, with alternate, sessile leaves ending in one or sometimes several flower spikes adorned with yellow flowers. These flowers, short-lived but plentiful, are renewed to provide a prolonged blooming period. Under the soil, the whole plant is well anchored by a deep taproot that protects it from drought, but makes it difficult to transplant or grow in pots.
In the Garden
Let me quote Larry Hodgson on silky mullein (V. bombysiferum): “With leaves as big as oars but so beautifully covered in white down, silky mullein is so attractive the first year that you don’t think it needs to flower to be beautiful. But when you see it in bloom the following year, with its tall, cottony white spikes and bright yellow flowers, you’ll fall even more in love. It’s one of the most beautiful plants there is for temperate gardens… and what’s more, so easy to grow.”
What more can I say, except perhaps to refer you to his article: My Favorite Weed.
In addition to silky mullein (V. bombysiferum) and common mullein (V. thapsus), we also find Olympian mullein (V. olympicum) and Caucasian mullein (V. pyramidatum), spectacular in their 2nd year because of their numerous flower spikes and probably just as effective as common mullein.
Naturalized in America, mullein likes poor, dry, sandy, stony soil. It’s a plant that doesn’t mind heat, cold, sun or even drought. Its only requirements are well-drained soil and a minimum amount of sunlight (around 5 hours).
Give preference to uses where its height and the light from its flowers will be an aesthetic asset, and put your trust in it. It will do well with whatever you give it, and will add sculptural height to beds, wilder gardens and rock gardens.
Beware: mullein, which is now naturalized in Quebec, can be considered invasive, as it reseeds easily, although not in abundance. Once you’ve grown mullein, you’ll find a few new plants every year. Oh yes, and the seeds are extremely long-lived: at least 30 years, and some sources say up to 100 years. If you use mulch, mullein will have difficulty germinating on its own and will be easy to control.
Multiplication
You can sow outdoors in autumn (and let winter do the stratifying) or sow indoors, but it’s best to allow 2 to 3 weeks for stratification. And again: I’ve had excellent germination rates without stratification, using this year’s seeds.
Harvest
Leaves are best harvested in the first year, or early in the second, before the flowering stem develops.
As for the flowers, they are only available in their 2nd year, from July to the end of August. New ephemeral flowers bloom every day, and only the corolla and reproductive system are picked. We leave the green, hairy sepals on the spike and return every 2 days to pick the new flowers. As well as being highly prized medicinally, picking the flowers reduces the number of seeds produced, and therefore the plant’s potential invasiveness. But this requires patience and diligence! It’s not for nothing that dried flowers are more expensive than leaves.
The roots are rarely harvested. They are difficult to extract from the soil, as they are deep and have to be harvested in the first autumn (so harvesting the root means depriving yourself of the flowers). What’s more, the roots are often disappointing, as they can be nibbled by larvae. There is little documentation on the use of roots, but they are said to have similar properties to leaves and can be used in decoctions or tinctures.
Transformation
The dried leaves are used in herbal teas. Drying mullein leaves is a little tricky, as the leaves tend to blacken. To avoid this, handle the leaves gently and avoid exposing them to temperatures above 35°C (95?).
Tip: remove the midrib from the leaves to speed up drying.
Flowers can be:
- Freshly macerated in oil (preferred use, especially if you intend to use them for earaches). Caution: when macerating fresh plants in oil, cover the container with a cloth (not a lid) to allow the plant’s water to evaporate. Leave to macerate for 1 to 3 weeks, stirring regularly before filtering. For a more concentrated maceration, repeat the operation with new flowers, up to 3 times. These macerations are for external use only;
- Dried, then used as an infusion;
- Macerated in mild alcohol (40%) or cider vinegar (8%).
Other Uses
In days gone by, flower stems were dipped in oil or grease to make torches.
Larry Hodgson includes it in his plants to replace toilet paper. Some people call it “cowboy toilet paper”. Personally, I leave this use to the cowboys, as the bristles, though silky, are still quite irritating to stimulate blood circulation. It is (was?) used to replace blush.
Medicinal Uses
Opinions differ. Europeans prefer flowers, while North Americans prefer leaves. Preferences may therefore vary according to the source consulted.
In general, the leaf is cited for the respiratory system and for the skin and other mucous membranes.
As for flowers, they are favored in the ENT sphere, the nervous system (calming), the immune system and the lymph.
Many of the active compounds are present in both leaf and flower. To a certain extent, they are therefore interchangeable. My recommendation: grow it! You’ll have both leaves and flowers in abundance, and can use the 2 mixed together, in herbal tea.
Internal Uses
Respiratory system
Mullein is a specialist in the respiratory system. Mullein opens the lungs, reduces coughing, liquefies mucus and helps restore the respiratory mucosa. It can be used alone or in combination for old coughs, dry[1] and irritable coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, hay fever and emphysema.
An anti-catarrhal plant[1]v, it liquefies mucus and clears bronchi and sinuses. Because its expectorant action is linked to its mucolytic action, it is known as a relaxing expectorant.
It’s a good plant to take in the evening, when you want to clear your lungs without coughing all night.
Musculoskeletal System
This application of mullein is recent and poorly documented. It was discovered and popularized by Mr. Wood[2]. Based on my own testing and use, I consider it very promising, although it would be desirable for its properties to be more thoroughly tested. But since it tastes good and is non-toxic, why not try it yourself!
Mullein improves lubrication of connective tissues such as cartilage, and loosens synovial fluid in joint cavities. Mullein also reduces nerve pain and the sensation of pinched or irritated nerves.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the punchy action of pharmaceutical proposals. You won’t get any “buzz” and the pain will diminish gradually with constant use, but after just 2 teas a day for 2 days, you should feel the first improvements if mullein is the right plant for you.
Internal Mucous Membranes
The European Medicines Agency recommends mullein, among other things, for sore or irritated throats[1],, coughs and colds. Take care to filter mullein hairs thoroughly, for example with a coffee filter, as they may further irritate the throat.
Mullein is used for diarrhea and colitis, calming spasms and restoring balance.
Mullein is also often used for hemorrhoids, but only as an external oily maceration.
External Uses
Mullein flower maceration reduces inflammation and congestion in eardrums, lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues[3]. Particularly effective in young children when pain and inflammation are due to mucus build-up, it is avoided in the case of Swimmer’s ear, where it may not be strong enough to counter infection.
It is also useful on the skin in cases of dermatitis and pruritus (itching) caused by poison ivy or nettle. Here, we prefer oily flower maceration. It can be used to replace or in combination with plantain (the latter probably being even more effective).
La molène est cicatrisante, mais ici aussi, on peut penser à d’autres plantes peut-être plus puissantes, comme la calendule ou la consoude.
The Medicinal Properties of Common Mullein
| Properties | Definition | Rating |
| Pectorale | Nourishes and vitalizes the lungs | 3 [4], [5], [6] |
| Bechique | Calms coughs | 3[4], [7], [8] |
| Relaxing expectorant | Releases mucus secretions and soothes bronchial spasms | 3[9], [10], [11] |
| Anticatarrhal and mucolytic | Reduces mucus formation and liquefies it | 2[6], [10], [11] |
| Anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | 2[9], [12] |
| Emollient | Softens, fights inflamed or irritated tissues | 2[5], [6], [9] |
| Vulnerable and healing | Heals wounds | 2[6], [9] |
What Are Mullein’s Active Compounds?
Iridoid heterosides (harpagine, 6?-xylosylaucuboside, capol and aucubine): soluble in water, vinegar and alcohols up to 40%, but these compounds are unstable and destroyed on drying. Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiarthritic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, diuretic, antifungal and bronchodilator action.
Triterpene saponin (verbascoside): soluble in water, oil, vinegar and alcohol: immunostimulant, antibacterial action against Klebsiella pneumonia and some Staphylococcus[12], certain viruses such as herpes (type 115), plus expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic action.
Mucilage and flavonoids: soluble mainly in water and vinegar, soften mucous membranes, liquefy mucus and help expectorate gently. Externally, mucilage is a healing agent.
3,5-dihydroxy-6,7- dimethoxy flavone: probably soluble in alcohol (40%) or vinegar (8%). This compound is anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic[1].
Flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, rutin, kaempferol, etc.): more soluble in alcohol (preferably 60%). Smooth muscle relaxants, antihistamines, anxiolytics, anti-inflammatories.
Synergy With Other Plants
- For coughs, expectorant, mucolytic: marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), elecampane (Inula heleneium), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) and lobelia (Lobelia inflata) and coltsfoot* (Tussilago farfara);*Attention: contient des alcaloïdes pyrrolizidiniques toxiques.
- Respiratory allergies (hay fever) and asthma: sage (Salvia officinalis), plantain (Plantago major) and nettle (Urtica dioica);
- Immune system: echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), white willow (Salix alba), American black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis);
- To relieve lymphatic congestion: swollen lobelia (Lobelia inflata), pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), red clover (Trifolium pratense);
- For musculoskeletal use: gives particularly good results when mixed with meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).
Precautions
With the exception of the seeds, which are poisonous and should not be eaten, mullein is non-toxic.
Please note that the European Medicines Agency[1] does not recommend it for children under 12. On the other hand, it offers no explanation (for this non-toxic plant with a long history of use in children). In short, I pass on this latest warning without understanding it.
To date, no problems have been reported, but safety for pregnant or breast-feeding women has not been formally established.[13].
Warning
In the case of serious disorders or chronic illnesses, consult a doctor. Self-diagnosis and self-medication are dangerous. Unless explicitly indicated, the uses described are for plants and do not apply to essential oils. Before consuming a plant: make sure you identify it correctly and always read the “Precautions” leaflet.
Dosages are given for information only and are suitable for adults, unless otherwise specified.
Despite all the care taken in writing this article, an error may have crept in. We cannot be held responsible for any consequences or misinterpretation, as no article can replace medical advice.
Sources
[1] European Medicines Agency: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/verbasci-flos
[2] Wood M. (2008). The Earthwise Herbal volume 1 A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. Berkeley: North Atlantic Book. 828 p.
[3] Christopher J. R. (2010). Herb syllabus Master herbalist guide. États-Unis: Christopher Publications. 753 p.
[4] Debuigne, G., Couplan F., Folliard, T. (2019). Le Petit Larousse des Plantes qui guérissent – 500 plantes et leurs remèdes. 2. Italie: Larousse. 1029 p.
[5] Schneider, A. (2011). La nouvelle pharmacie verte – se soigner par les plantes. : Montréal: Les Éditions de l’Homme. 206 p.
[6] Fournier, P.-V. (2010). Dictionnaire des plantes médicinales et vénéneuses de France. 2. France: Omnibus. 1047 p.
[7] Minker, C (2015). 200 plantes qui guérissent. 2e. Espagne: Larousse
[8] Valnet, J. (2019). La phytothérapie, se soigner par les plantes. Paris: Vigot
[9] Hoffmann, D. (1986). The Holistic Herbal. 2. Dorset: Element Books Ltd. 280 p.
[10] Blumenthal, M., Goldberg A.,Brinckmann J. (2000). Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton: Integrative Medicine Communications
[11] Gladstar, R. (2012). Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal herbs a beginner’s guide: Storey publishing. 225 p.
[12] Lorrain, E. (2019). Grand Manuel de phytothérapie. Malakoff: Dunod. 1290 p.
[13] Upton, R., Bear, S., Winston, D., Gagnon, D., Romm, A.j., Low Dog, T., Hardy, M., Craker, L. (2013). Botanical Safety Handbook. 2. London: CRC Press. 1035 p.
Wow, I never knew the mullein plant could do so much! It’s great for gardens and even helps with breathing and health. I love how easy it is to grow, plus it looks cool with its tall yellow flowers! Cheers!
Thanks a lot, Lowell ? I really love sharing such information, and receiving positive feedback is a great motivation to keep writing!