Mullein, a plant that grows in dry, barren places, has been used for centuries because of its outstanding medicinal qualities. Its healing properties are found in its roots, leaves, and flowers, and it has been effective in treating a variety of health conditions, especially respiratory disorders.
Native Americans used the leaves of the mullein plant to ease respiratory discomfort. Mullein tea is also an effective way of treating respiratory and other types of conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. It is also effective in treating sore throats and coughs.
Mullein's anti-bacterial properties make it effective in treating infections. It has even been used to treat tuberculosis as it inhibits mycobacterium, the bacteria which causes the disease.
Last year, in an article listed in PubMed titled "What's in a Name? Can Mullein Weed Beat TB where Modern Drugs are Failing" authors Eibhlin McCarthy and Jim M. O'Mahony of the Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland reported:
"Extracts of the mullein leaf have also been shown in laboratory studies to possess antitumor, antiviral, antifungal, and - most interestingly for the purpose of this paper - antibacterial properties."
The authors also observed that mullein had been shown in trials to significantly improve ear pain. It rivals a popular pharmaceutical in controlling Klebsiella pneumoniae, and it is reported that many of mullein's historical uses have proven to be true.
Mullein also has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. A mullein poultice soothes skin irritations, such as rashes, boils, and even chilblains. A poultice can also be used for bruises and to relieve arthritic and rheumatic conditions. The herb's anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make mullein compresses an ideal treatment for hemorrhoids and cold sores.
Mullein relieves digestive disorders, such as diarrhea and stomach pains. Its anti-spasmodic properties relieve stomach cramps. Mullein oil derived from the plant's flowers can be used to treat swollen glands and earaches.
In addition, mullein:
*has a calming effect and can be used as a sleep aid.
*relieves migraine pain.
*supports proper functioning of the thyroid gland.
Mullein has no serious recorded side effects. However, taking it in excess can result in stomach upset, and it is also prudent to lightly scrub the thin hairs off the plant leaves as they can result in irritation in some people.
Even though it is found in dry, barren areas, mullein will also thrive in moist soil. It is easy to grow and thrives in gardens.
Mullein tea is simple to make. Just steep the leaves in hot water. For a sweeter taste, the flowers can be added. You can drink the tea, hot or cold. Any excess tea can be stored in the refrigerator for future use.
Making the oil is also easy:
*Harvest the flowers while they are fresh.
*Completely fill a jar with the flowers.
*Mash the flowers with a fork, but not to the point that they would pass through a strainer.
*Add olive oil to the jar, completely submerging the flowers. Stir, making sure that there are no bubbles.
*Cover the jar and leave on a sunny windowsill for five days.
*After the fifth day, remove the oil by straining the mixture.
*Pour the oil into another glass jar, cover, and put in a cool place until needed. Mullein oil has a long shelf life of up to two years.
Having mullein at your fingertips can be the answer to alleviating chronic respiratory and other conditions - and you may find that constant visits to the doctor's office are a thing of the past.
Note: Because of their toxicity, the seeds of the mullein plant should never be used in preparing tea or oil.
