Medicinal Benefits of Mullein Tea: A Natural Remedy for Respiratory Health
When flu season approaches, I begin stocking our cabinet with an arsenal of herbal medicines to treat the fevers, colds and respiratory infections that might plague our household over the next few months. One herb I’ve found particularly useful for respiratory infections is mullein. If you’ve never used it before, then you’ll want to grab some from the health food store next time you’re there. This simple herb can be made into a tea that can be drunk throughout the day to combat colds, flu, coughs and lung infections. Read on to learn more about the medicinal benefits of this amazing herb and how to make mullein tea to treat respiratory illnesses.
What is Mullein?
Mullein (muh-luhn) is native to Asia, Europe, and northern Africa, but was introduced in the US in the 1700s. It often grows on degraded land as it adapts well to various conditions. A biennial that self-seeds easily, mullein can grow to over six feet tall.
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is considered an invasive weed in Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America. This is due to its seeds, which remain viable for up to 100 years, and which it produces in great numbers. Once it becomes established in an area, it can be hard to get rid of.
Mullein has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb to treat earaches, wounds and burns, digestive issues, joint pain, muscle cramps, and a variety of respiratory ailments.
Medicinal Properties
Mullein has various medicinal properties, including analgesic, diuretic, anti-irritant, antispasmodic, wound-healing, emollient, astringent, and expectorant. 1
One of its most effective uses is as a medicinal tea for coughs and other respiratory illnesses. Here are a few of its healing actions:
Demulcent
High in mucilage, mullein forms a gel-like consistency when mixed with water. This coats the throat and airways, soothing inflamed tissues and protecting them from further irritation.
Expectorant
Mullein is an expectorant, loosening phlegm and making it easier to expel through coughing. This helps to clear the airways making breathing easier.
Anti-Viral & Anti-Bacterial
If you have a cold or flu, mullein may help speed up the healing process due to its antiviral properties.
Mullein has also been shown to be antibacterial, and particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, which causes several infections including pneumonia.2
My Story: How Mullein Tea Cured My Cough
My personal experience with mullein is that it is an excellent remedy for respiratory infections.
Last year I caught a bug and was struggling with a persistent cough that was not going away. I was trying all kinds of home remedies but my lungs would not clear up.
A friend of mine knew I had been sick for a while and brought me a big bag of dried mullein leaves. I was not very optimistic about this unfamiliar herb, but I decided to give it a try and make mullein tea.
What happened next really took me by surprise. Within 30 minutes of drinking the tea the congestion in my chest cleared up considerably; I could actually feel it dissipating. After drinking a second cup a couple of hours later, my cough was gone. I had never experienced anything like it, and I was amazed as I contemplated the potency of this simple herb.
Limitations and Safety of Mullein
Keep in mind that mullein, like any herb, is more effective against some germs than others. Also, every individual responds differently to herbs, so mullein may be more effective for some than others.
It’s reassuring that there are no reports of adverse reactions to mullein.3 Combined with its potential benefits and centuries of traditional use, it’s definitely worth trying.
Tools Needed
- Tea strainer or disposable tea bags
- Tea kettle or pot
Ingredients
- Dried mullein leaves
- Boiling water – at least 10 ounces
- Lemon slice – optional
- Honey – optional
How to Make Mullein Tea for Respiratory Illnesses
Place 1 tablespoon of dried mullein leaves in a tea strainer/disposable tea bag.
Steep tea in at least 10 ounces of boiling water for 10-15 minutes.
Add a slice of lemon and a little honey to sweeten.
Drink it warm to enjoy the maximum soothing benefits.
Notes
- Drink 2 – 3 cups of mullein tea a day to help soothe irritation, clear mucous, and relieve cough and congestion.
- Mullein tea is generally safe but should be avoided if you have allergies to plants in the Scrophulariaceae family.
- Consult a physician before using this tea if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication.
- Mullein can be combined with catnip for even greater flu-fighting benefits. Read more about the medicinal properties of catnip here.
How to Make Mullein Tea for Respiratory Illnesses
Equipment
- Tea kettle/pot
- Tea steeper/disposable tea bag
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp mullein leaves dried
- 10 oz boiling water
- honey/stevia, to taste optional
- slice of lemon optional
Instructions
- Boil water in a tea kettle or pot.
- While the water is heating, add dried mullein leaves to a tea steeper/disposable tea bag and place in a mug.
- Pour boiling water over the tea bag and allow to steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Add a slice of lemon and a little honey/stevia if desired.
Notes
- Drink 1 – 3 cups daily, continuing for up to 2 weeks until symptoms improve.
- Strain thoroughly to avoid ingesting mulleins fine hairs which can irritate.
- Consult a healthcare provider before using if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications.
- Kloss, J. (2009). Back to Eden (2nd ed., pp. 158-159). Lotus Press. ↩︎
- McCarthy E, O’Mahony JM. What’s in a Name? Can Mullein Weed Beat TB Where Modern Drugs Are Failing? Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:239237. doi: 10.1155/2011/239237. Epub 2010 Sep 19. PMID: 20953419; PMCID: PMC2952292. ↩︎
- (n.d.). Mullein. Drugs.com. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.drugs.com/npc/mullein.html ↩︎
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