Mullein
Mullein (Verbascum) can reach a height of up to 3 m. Felt-like woolly leaves grow on its woolly stem.
The bright yellow flowers are arranged in long, upright inflorescences.
In the Middle Ages, people dipped the fruit stalk in pitch and used it as a well-burning torch.
Mullein is a 2-year old plant that produces only a large rosette of leaves with very hairy (woolly) leaves in the first year.
Mullein
Image source: 385570760 – stock.adobe.com
Family and collection time
Mullein belongs to the family of Scrophulariaceae.
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Parts of the plant used: Petals
Collection time in detail:
- Petals: July and August
Healing effect and application
Therapeutic properties:
Promotes expectoration in dry cough, antiviral.
Application in naturopathy:
For catharses of the airways and chronic bronchitis. The mucilage soothes irritation and promotes expectoration in dry coughs.
Ingredients: (selection)
- Mucilage
- Saponins
Tea recipe from DAB 6 (6th edition of the German Pharmacopoeia)
Ingredients
-
8 g marshmallow root
-
3 g licorice root
-
1 g violet root
-
4 g coltsfoot leaves
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2 g mullein flowers
-
2 g aniseed, crushed
2 tsp. pour over 250 ml boiling water, 10 min. let steep covered. If necessary, sweeten with honey and 2 to 3 cups daily. drink
References:
Beiser, Rudi: Our edible wild plants. Kosmos Nature Guide 2018
Bühring, Ursel: Praxis-Lehrbuch der modernen Heilpflanzenkunde; Grundlagen – Anwendung – Therapie. Sonntag Publishing House Stuttgart 2005
Pahlow, M. Pharmacist: Medicinal Plants. Bechtermünz Publishing House Augsburg 2001
Schneider, Christine: Finding wild herbs. Ulmer Publishing House Stuttgart 2017
Recipe by Dr. Markus Strauß www.dr-strauss.net
