Mullein

Verbascum thapsus. Family: Scrophularia

Originating from Europe and Western Asia, Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has been introduced to America and Australia, where it has successfully naturalised across the globe. In Australia, this hardy biennial thrives in open, drier areas and adapts well to a variety of soil types, making it a robust and resilient botanical specimen.

During its first year, Mullein forms a basal rosette of large, soft, velvety leaves. In the second year, it sends up a tall upright flowering stalk crowned with yellow flowers.

Historically, Mullein held both practical and symbolic significance. In medieval Europe, the long stalks, dipped in suet, were used as torches during religious processions. In ancient Rome, the plant was known as “Jupiter’s Staff,” reflecting its importance within the spiritual beliefs of the time.

Qualities and Correspondences

Mullein possesses yin tonic qualities with subtle sweetness, astringency, blandness, and a cool, moist nature accompanied by a secondary drying effect. Its overall character is restoring, softening, lubricating, and relaxing, making it especially beneficial for the lungs, stomach, intestines, bladder, connective tissue, and nervous system.

Planetary Correspondences

• Saturn & Sun

Elemental Correspondences

• Air & Fire

Meridians

• Lungs | Stomach | Bladder

Mullein is considered suitable for individuals of all constitutions and biotypes.

Active Constituents

Mullein contains a wide range of active constituents, including:

• Mucilage and gum | Saponins | Volatile oils | Glycosides, including aucubin
• Bitter principles| Flavonoids such as hesperidin and rutin

It also contains nutritional constituents including vitamins A, B complex, and D, along with minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and sulphur.

Herbal Actions

Mullein is traditionally regarded as:

• Expectorant | Demulcent | Emollient | Diuretic | Vulnerary | Anti-inflammatory | Analgesic | Antimicrobial

Aqueous extracts of the flowers have also demonstrated activity against the influenza virus.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

Mullein has a long history of medicinal use, with the leaves, flowers, and roots all utilised therapeutically, excluding the toxic seeds.

The soft mucilaginous leaves, prepared as teas or poultices, provide soothing relief to the skin and mucous membranes. Fresh leaves, however, may irritate sensitive skin and should be used cautiously.

Traditionally, the leaves were brewed into teas or poultices for respiratory conditions and were also smoked ceremonially and medicinally by various Native American peoples for lung ailments.

The flowers, containing mucilage, acid saponins, and small amounts of volatile oil, are particularly valued when infused into oil for earaches and nerve-related pain. Mullein flower oil has long been regarded as a classic remedy for ear discomfort, especially where there is pain, dryness, congestion, or obstruction.

Salves and creams prepared from the flowers and leaves have also been used for inflammatory and infectious skin conditions.

Respiratory System

Mullein is renowned as an all-purpose lung remedy and has traditionally been used for:

• Chronic and dry coughs | Asthma | Catarrhal conditions | Congestion | Allergies | Mucosal dryness
• Acute respiratory illnesses | Lung tuberculosis | Irritable, tickly coughs | Tightness in the chest, throat, or sinuses

The infusion of Mullein leaf releases a salty mucilage that acts as an emollient, drawing moisture into dry, hardened tissues. This helps lubricate mucous membranes, loosen stagnant mucus, ease coughing, relax the larynx, open the lungs and sinuses, and support freer breathing.

Matthew Wood describes Mullein as having an “upward movement,” rising from the lungs toward the head, much like the plant itself rises sharply upward from the earth.

Mullein is especially useful where tissues are dry, irritated, constricted, or where fluids appear trapped within the mucosa.

Nervous System and Pain

Mullein has a strong affinity for the nervous system and has been used since antiquity for neuralgia and pain relief.

Matthew Wood writes:

“Mullein is particularly well indicated when there is nerve pain in the zygomatic arch related to ear pains and problems.”

It is especially indicated where there is:

• Ear pain with obstruction | Temporal-mandibular joint discomfort | Nerve irritation | Neuralgia
• Inflamed or irritated nerves | Cramping and spasms | Nervous tension associated with respiratory constriction

Mullein flower oil is traditionally used to soothe nerves, lubricate passages, and help clear accumulated congestion.

Louise Tenney described Mullein as:

“A natural wonder herb with narcotic properties, without being habit forming or poisonous.”

She further noted its calming influence on inflamed nerves and its usefulness for coughs, cramps, spasms, and sleep support.

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Support

The large downy leaves of Mullein resemble those of Comfrey and have traditionally been used externally as a wound herb.

Historically, the leaves were applied to:

• Burns | Injuries | Broken bones | Stubbed fingers and toes | Joint pain |Inflamed tissues

Matthew Wood notes that Mullein may help lubricate connective tissue and improve the health of cartilage by encouraging the movement of synovial fluid into joints and surrounding tissues.

It has been traditionally indicated for:

• Complex fractures | Spinal dryness and inflexibility | Joint stiffness
• Pinched or irritated nerve tracts | Muscular and ligament dryness

Urinary and Lymphatic Support

Mullein root is recognised as a bladder tonic, particularly for urinary incontinence. It is said to strengthen and improve the tone of the trigone muscle — the triangular area at the base of the bladder — thereby enhancing bladder function.

Mullein also influences the veins and lymphatic system, assisting the movement and absorption of fluids. Traditionally, it has been used in conditions involving stagnant or accumulated fluids, including:

• Swollen glands | Chronic abscesses | Pleuritic effusions | Cellular dropsy |Fluid congestion

Traditional Folk Uses

Traditional herbal uses of Mullein have also included:

• Earaches | Sinusitis | Tonsillitis | Sore throats | Mumps | Swollen joints |Tumours | Warts

The crushed fresh flowers were sometimes applied externally to warts.

Flower Essence of Mullein

Mullein flower essence is a vibrational remedy prepared from the blossoms of Verbascum thapsus. In energetic and emotional healing traditions, it is associated with inner truth, clarity, courage, integrity, and spiritual illumination.

Imbalances Associated with Mullein

• Deception | Fear of truth and vulnerability | Moral weakness | Living in darkness
• Blindness or “dark night of the soul” | Injustice | Loss of vitality
• Mental congestion and overthinking

Positive Qualities Encouraged

• Protection | Illumination | Courage | Integrity | Vitality | Spiritual guidance
• Love and truthfulness |Mental clarity

“Mullein is for people who think too much and congest the mind. It gives such a person a feeling like the mind is opened up to breezes on a fresh spring day.”

Reflections on Mullein

Star of light, lifting one from darkness toward the source — Mullein reminds us to honour who we are, to become channels of light, joy, and hope, and to remain truthful in all circumstances.

References:

• The Energetics of Western Herbs Vol. 1 — Peter Holmes
• Materia Medica of Western Herbs for the Southern Hemisphere — C. Fisher & G. Painter
• “Medicinal Uses of Mullein Root” — Christa Sinadinos, Medical Herbalism (2009), Vol. 16, No. 2
• The Book of Herbal Wisdom — Matthew Wood
• The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants — Matthew Wood

Extra Reading:

Jim McDonald Herbalist Herbcraft – Mullein

A Candle of Conscience: The Clarifying Light of Mullein Flower Essence by Patricia Kaminski

The Book of Herbal Wisdom, Using Plants as Medicines by Matthew Wood

The information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Consult your medical care provider before using herbal medicine, particularly if you have a known medical condition, are on any medication, and if you are pregnant or nursing.