Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a stately fuzzy-leaved plant frequently found on roadsides and other sunny open places. This common weed is one of the world’s best lung allies. You can buy dried mullein, or harvest your own.

No other wild plant looks like it: its large (a foot or more) fuzzy (used for candlewicks) leaves and the upright (five feet or more is common) stalk of yellow flowers (a famous ear oil is made from them) make it easy to recognize.

To harvest, I cut the entire stalk of plants just beginning to flower and hang them, upside down, in a shady place to dry.

To brew mullein infusion, I fill a quart canning jar about half full of cut and crushed mullein leaf and stalk pieces. (If using commercial herb, I use one ounce by weight.) I fill the jar to the top with boiling water, cap tightly, and let it sit at room temperature for four hours, or overnight.

Mullein leaves are fuzzy, and mullein infusion can be too. To protect my throat, I always strain my mullein infusion through tightly-woven cloth (like a handkerchief) before drinking. The dose of mullein infusion is 1-4 cups a day.

Mullein infusion will last for 5-6 days refrigerated. It brews up to a dark brown liquid with a smoky flavor that I find quite appealing, especially with milk and honey.

To relieve acute lung problems, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, SARS, even coughs, 2-4 cups of mullein infusion a day, plus elecampane, echinacea, and/or poke root tinctures are consumed until health has returned. To strengthen the lungs, or to restore health to lung tissues after “assaults” such as tobacco smoke or radiation: 1-2 cups of mullein infusion daily for six weeks is suggested. To relieve allergies and asthma, 2-4 cups of mullein infusion every day for 6-8 weeks is amazingly effective.

– Susun Weed

I have known this plant also to be used instead of toilet paper when in a pinch, an old indian tradition! lol Tamare

Note: to purchase this herb contact the Witchy Shoppe by phone or email.