Characteristics

Common Mullein: Verbascum Thapsus

Weed Description: A biennial that may reach as much as 7 feet in height with large woolly leaves and a long spike with many showy yellow flowers. Common mullein was brought to America by the Puritans, who used the plant as a medicinal herb. Teas and ointments made from the leaves of this weed continued to be used for many years as a cure for lung diseases, rheumatism, burns, rashes, and earaches. Common mullein is primarily a weed of pastures, hay fields, roadsides, right-of-ways, and abandoned areas. It is found throughout the United States except for the upper great plains.

Seedlings: Cotyledons are spatula-shaped. First true leaves have many soft hairs and are oval in outline with only slightly wavy margins. Subsequent leaves are also densely hairy and have more wavy margins.

Leaves: Leaves initially develop as a basal rosette during the first year of growth and then occur alternately along the flowering stem during the second year of growth. All leaves are covered in hairs, to the point that leaves are most often described as being 'woolly'. Rosette leaves are oblong in outline, ranging from 6 to18 inches in length. Leaves become progressively smaller up the flowering stem.

Stems: Erect, unbranched, occurring during the second year of growth. Stems may reach as much as 6 feet in height and are also densely hairy.

Roots: A taproot and a fibrous root system.

Flowers: Many flowers occur in a dense spike at the end of the flowering stem. These spikes may reach as much as 20 inches in length. Flowers are yellow in color, approximately 1 inch in diameter, and consist of five petals.

Fruit: An oval capsule, approximately 6 mm in diameter.

Identifying Characteristics: The rosette growth habit, large 'woolly' leaves and stems, and flowering stems with many yellow flowers are all characteristics that help in the identification of common mullein. Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria) is closely related to common mullein, however this weed is generally smaller and has leaves without hairs and toothed leaf margins unlike common mullein. Additionally, the flowers of common mullein are yellow and do not occur on peduncles (flower stalks), whereas those of moth mullein or yellow and purple or white and purple in color and do occur on peduncles.

Genetics

Mullein is an herbal medicine that is used for chills, coughs, and to loosen phlegm during a cold. It has also been used to treat arthritis and skin cuts.

Other names for Mullein include: Verbascum thapsus, Aarron's Rod, Bunny's Ears, Candlewick, Flannel Leaf, Jocob's Staff, Flores Thapsi Barbati, Verbascum, Wollblumen, Koenigskerzenblumen, Windblumen, Fleurs de Boullon Blanc, and Fleurs de Molene.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using Tell your doctor if you are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicineare breastfeedinghave any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage

Talk with your caregiver about how much Mullein you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Mullein. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine

Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Warnings

Before taking Mullein, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Side Effects

Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest Chest pain Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects

You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

Tiredness

The plant has a long history of use as a medicine, and is an effective treatment for asthma and respiratory disorders.[3] Extracts made from the plant's flowers are a very effective treatment for ear infections. Although this plant is a recent arrival to North America, Native Americans used the ground seeds of this plant as a paralytic fish poison due to their high levels of rotenone. One species, Verbascum thapsus (Great mullein), is used as a herbal remedy for sore throat,cough, and lung diseases.

In gardening and landscaping, the mulleins are valued for their tall narrow stature and for flowering over a long period of time, even in dry soils. Since the year 2000, a number of new hybrid cultivars have come out that have increased flower size, shorter heights, and a tendency to be longer-lived plants. A number have new colors for this genus. Many mulleins are raised from seed, including both the short-lived perennial and biennial types.

Mullein is the active ingredient in many alternative smoking blends.

It is considered a first-rate drill for use in the hand drill method of friction fire lighting

Uses/ Culinary Uses

Mullein tea is made primarily from the dried leaves and flowers of the plant. To make mullein tea, pour a cup of boiling water to the mullein herbs and let it stand for about 5 minutes.

The components of the mullein herbs like mucilage, flavonoids, Iridoids, sterols, and sugars will be transferred to the mullein tea and the following benefits are thus realized from drinking mullein tea:

Mullein Tea helps in treatment of respiratory problems like bronchitis, asthma,

whooping cough, pneumonia and congestion.

Mullein Tea is excellent for treating bladder or urinary tract irritations, including

hematuria (bloody urine).

Mullein Tea can help treat diarrhea.

Mullein Tea can be used to combat insomnia and calm frayed nerves.

Mullein Tea is effective for cleansing the blood.

Mullein Tea is useful in expelling intestinal parasites like worms.

Mullein Tea can also be used to treat various forms of allergies.

Mullein Tea can be useful in providing relief from painful hemorrhoids by

swabbing the anus

Study

Mullein (Verbascum [Latin]), also called velvet dock, flannel leaf or plant, feltwort, Aarons rod, shepherds staff, and lungwort, is easily identified in the wild by its big, soft leaves. Many of the names used to identify this plant refer to its velvety texture; however, the name lungwort reflects mulleins traditional use as a treatment for relieving cough and congestion of those with minor respiratory ailments. Mullein is recommended by herbalists for treatment of cough, sore throat, and colds.

When combined with water, the fiber in mullein produces a slippery substance called mucilage, which coats and soothes the throat and intestine (mullein is traditionally used to treat diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset as well). Some laboratory studies have shown that mullein inhibits the growth of tuberculosis bacteria, which may be where it got its reputation as a treatment for this disease.

Studies have shown that mullein has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that, when combined with soothing mucilage, may help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. Topical compresses made from mullein infusions have also been used to treat inflamed cold sores and herpes; in one study, mullein seemed to help eliminate the herpes virus.

Mullein is widely available in the wild, and is easily identified by its spike of yellow flowers and huge, sometimes over a foot long, leaves. The leaves, flowers, and roots of this plant are edible and easy to dry, and may be used to make your own herbal medicines. However, mullein seeds are poisonous, so do not use them in any herbal

preparation, whether intended for oral or topical use.

Steep approximately 2 teaspoons of dried mullein plant in a cup of hot water for an infusion to treat cough, congestion, or diarrhea. Drink three cups of hot mullein tea a day until symptoms disappear, or store the tea in the refrigerator to make a soothing infusion for treatment of hemorrhoids and cold sores. You can also find commercial extracts containing mullein in most health food stores.

There have been no toxic effects associated with mullein, but some people might get an upset stomach when taking this herb.

Used

Like marshmallow, mullein contains a high proportion of mucilage (large sugar molecules); mucilage is generally thought to have a soothing effect. Mullein also contains saponins that may help loosen mucus. Oral mullein is said to be most effective when combined with other herbs of similar qualities, such as yerba santa, marshmallow, cherry bark, and elecampane, but there is no evidence to support this belief. Mullein is often combined with other herbs in oil preparations to soothe the pain of ear infections (otitis media, or middle ear infection, but not swimmers ear, an external ear infection), and one study provides preliminary support for this use. Like many herbs, in test tube studies mullein has been found to kill viruses. In addition, an interesting but highly preliminary study suggests that mullein might help certain medications used for influenza work better. These findings, however, are far too preliminary to hint that internal use of

mullein will fight viral infections. Finally, contemporary herbalists sometimes recommend hot mullein tea for asthma, colds, coughs, and sore throats. You can also breathe the steam from a boiling pot of mullein tea. However, there is no scientific evidence that mullein is effective for any of these purposes.

Scientific Evidence

A randomized, controlled trial of more than 100 children and young adults with eardrum pain caused by middle ear infection compared the effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing mullein, garlic, St. Johns wort and calendula against a standard anesthetic ear drop product (ametocaine and phenazone). The results indicated that the two treatments were equally effective. However, due to the strong placebo response in pain conditions, this study needed a placebo group to provide truly dependable evidence. Note: While herbal ear products may reduce pain, it is very unlikely that they have any actual effect on the infection because the eardrum is in the way.

Dosage

To make mullein tea, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves and flowers to 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Make sure to strain the tea before drinking it because fuzzy bits of the herb can stick in your throat and cause an irritating tickle. NOTE: Mullein seeds contain the potentially toxic substance rotenone (see Safety Issues). For this reason, it is advisable to make sure there are no seeds in the mullein flowers that you use; or, alternatively, you can use only mullein leaf. For ear infection pain, mullein oil

products are brought to room temperature and dripped into the ear canal. NOTE: It is advisable to make sure the eardrum isnt punctured before using mullein oil ear products.

Safety Issues

Mullein leaves and flowers are on the FDAs GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list, and there have been no credible reports of serious adverse effects. However, mullein seeds (as opposed to leaves) contain the insecticide and fish poison rotenone. While rotenone is relatively safe in humans, it does present some toxic risks. If mullein leaf products are contaminated with mullein seeds, long-term use might be harmful. For this reason, as well as a complete lack of formal safety investigation of mullein, young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease should not use mullein for a prolonged period of time except on the advice of a physician.

Nutrients

Mullein has many purported benefits and uses as well as a long history of use that attests to these claims. Unfortunately, very little scientific research has been done on the effectiveness of mullein. However, many scientists and herbalists agree that the benefits of mullein are real based on the properties of the herb. For instance, The Complete German Commision E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicine approves the flower of the plant as a herbal drug. In another text, Nutritional Herbology, statistical data is compiled on 93 herbs and shows that mullein is the third highest-ranking herb based on nutrient richness. The herb was found to have relatively high amounts of:

Calcium Chromium Cobalt Magnesium Niacin Phosphorus Silicon Sodium Vitamin A Vitamin C

These nutrients make the herb a likely healer for respiratory illnesses.

Health Benefits

Through its long history of traditional use or scientific study, mullein is found to harbor many benefits that aid in respiratory function. Here a some of the most well known benefits of mullein:

Clears congestion Soothes mucus membranes of respiratory tract Eases coughs and sore throats Relieves asthma Relieves bronchitis Relieves dry or unproductive coughs

One of the main characteristics of mullein is its versatility. The herb has several properties that make it a viable option for the treatment of other non-respiratory ailments. Here are some of the other ways mullein is used:

Antispasmodic properties mean mullein should relieve stomach cramps and help control diarrhea Covers and protects scraped tissues Softens and soothes irritated skin Relieves hemorrhoid pain Prevents secretion of fluids

Additionally, the flowers of the plant can be made into mullein flower oil, which is specifically used to heal earaches and swollen glands.

GORDON COLLEGE COLLEGE OF BUSINES and ACCOUNTANCY

Bachelor of Science Hotel & Restaurant Management

In Partial fulfillment of the Course Requirement in Culinary Lecture

Mullein

Presented by: Kerstein Ann Papa Ramos AHRM 2C

Submitted to: Mrs. Jasmine Cristobal Instructor