Benefits of Mullein Leaf | Starwest Botanicals

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What is Mullein Good For?

Mullein Leaf is packed with antioxidants and has a long history of providing a multitude of benefits to help support overall body health. Growing up to ten feet tall, this striking plant blooms a beautiful stock (also called a flower spike) of densely packed and brightly colored yellow flowers. The leaves themselves are soft, thick and green with a silver tint, affording them the nickname Grandmother's Flannel. Other common names include: Great Mullein, velvet plant, white mullein, bullock's lungwort shepherd's club, hare's beard, and cow's lungwort.

Mullein Leaf, also known as Verbascum Thapsus, is an herbaceous biennial in the Scrophulariaceae family. While it is native to Europe and Asia, mullein can grow in a wide array of regions, especially those offering full sun and sandy or gravelly well-drained soil. It crops up commonly in North America and can be easily found in neglected meadows, roadside ditches, and vacant lots. It’s likely that you’ve laid eyes on this plant many times, but never knew that so many potential benefits lay dormant in its fuzzy leaves. I am often amazed by the abundance of medicinal plants and herbs growing freely in the most unassuming places.

Like dandelion and many other traditional herbal allies, Mullein is considered to be a weed, demonstrating resilience in the way it thrives in poor compacted soils. Often, plants like these have a lot to teach us, illustrating a great sense of renewal against all odds. I like to believe that a subtle aspect of this fortifying resilient energy transfers over into the teas and tinctures that feature these common “weeds”. Just as mullein demonstrates the power to persevere, perhaps consuming it can inspire and elicit that in us. This power of perseverance, and even self-preservation, may also explain why folk herbalism associates mullein with protection and the ability to ward off evil.

With an extensive lineage in European and North American folk medicine, mullein has been used for more than 2,000 years. The dried leaves can be brewed into an herbal tea or used to make extracts and syrups. Before we explore how to brew, boil and benefit from mullein leaf, let’s take a look at the Ayurvedic perspective on this loving botanical.

Ayurvedic Perspective on Mullein

According to The Yoga of Herbs, Mullein exhibits sweet, bitter and astringent tastes. In Ayurveda, the taste of a particular herb or food is called rasa. Like most sweet and bitter herbs, mullein has a cooling energy, or virya. This means that a tea, tincture or tonic made from mullein leaf may help release or counter excess heat in the body. Mullein leaves have also been historically used as a poultice on the skin in part because of that same cooling, soothing effect. The sweet taste in particular, is said to bring a soothing and smoothing quality, while the astringent taste is known to dry excess moisture and mucus. The bitter taste helps relieve stagnation and promote flow in congested areas. Because mullein has an affinity for the lungs, it is most commonly used to support upper respiratory challenges associated with phlegm, coughing and/or exposure to poor air quality.

Another interesting classification within Ayurvedic herbalism is called vipaka. Vipaka refers to the post-digestive effect that a particular herb or food has on the elimination of urine and feces, as well as the nourishment of tissues (called dhatus in Ayurveda). Mullein has a pungent vipaka. If consumed over a long period of time, mullein leaf could lead to excessive dryness causing pitta aggravation or constipation. For this reason, mullein tea and tincture is best for seasonal and acute support, rather than daily consumption.

Mullein and The Ayurvedic Doshas

Ayurveda utilizes a system of the elements to identify three different constitutions, or doshas. The three doshas are called vata, pitta, and kapha. Each person has all three within them, but typically one is stronger, or more present, than the others. If you’d like to learn about your Ayurvedic constitution, take a mind body quiz. To understand more about how mullein relates to the three doshas, keep reading.

With its cooling and drying qualities, mullein decreases acute pitta dosha (the fire element within us) and kapha dosha (the earth and water elements within us). The astringent quality of mullein is especially supportive for those with excess kapha (earth and water elements). Excess kapha may show up as coldness, dampness or stagnation in the lungs, while excess pitta can bring a dry or irritated quality. Often respiratory imbalances feature some combination of the two, which is why mullein is a star herb for seasonal wellness centered around lungs.

Those who have vata constitution, will benefit from short-term mullein use, if suffering from seasonal pitta-kapha type respiratory challenges. Long-term use may result in dryness and constipation, so be mindful of when your body has gotten what it needs from this plant. For best results, vata people should pair mullein with licorice and ginger root. Learn more about how to make your own mullein tea blends, here.

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Potential Benefits of Mullein

When it comes to seasonal respiratory wellness, mullein tea is favored for its potential benefits to the lungs, throat and chest. Herbalists often feature organic or wildcrafted mullein leaf in blends designed to offer respiratory support, especially for those who have been exposed to poor air quality.

Upper Respiratory Support: Mullein leaf may help soothe and tone the smooth muscle of the lungs, trachea and diaphragm while lowering functional activity of overactive organs to promote a gentle sense of calm and recovery in aggravated areas.

Seasonal Wellness: Mullein may help calm irritated membranes caused by seasonal wellness challenges like congestion. It may also support the reduction of excess phlegm and mucus without creating excessive dryness.

Lung Health: Mullein is believed to bring a bolstering and protective energy, which may help strengthen and fortify the lungs, especially for those who are on a journey to quit smoking cigarettes.

How to Use Mullein

Mullein leaf is common in several different traditional herbal formulations.

Mullein Tea: Mullein leaf that has been dried, cut and sifted can easily be used to make an antioxidant-rich herbal tea. To get started, simply pour 8 ounces of boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of Mullein leaf cut sift organic. Cover and steep for 10-20 minutes, strain and serve. Drink 2-3 times/day for up to one week to support seasonal respiratory wellness.

Discover how to make mullein tea blends here.

Mullein Tincture: A mullein tincture comes from infusing mullein leaf in 60-90% alcohol for an extended period of time (one month or more). This can be done with fresh mullein leaves, dried mullein leaves (cut/sifted) or mullein leaf powder. Fill a clean glass jar about ¾ full with herb, then cover with a neutral alcohol, making sure that the plant matter is entirely submerged. Place a lid securely on the jar and label it with its contents and the date. Store in a cool dry, shaking periodically. After a month or more, strain the tincture, transfer to a dropper bottle. Add 1-2 droppers to hot water with honey to support bronchial wellness.

Mullein Extract: Similar to a mullein tincture, a mullein extract is a potent herbal infusion that is rapidly absorbed by the body. The difference is that an extract is typically infused into a lower percentage of alcohol. At Starwest, our Organic Mullein Extract embodies an herb strength of 1:1, using 8 pounds of dried Organic Mullein Leaf used to make one gallon of extract with 30% alcohol.

All of our herbs and botanicals are tested for a variety of specifications in our Quality Control Laboratory, including identity and purity, along with a number of other additional tests. We are committed to stringent quality control inspection procedures, and our experienced technicians hand-select only superior quality herbs and botanicals for extraction. All steps ensure a premium quality and exceptionally potent herbal dietary supplement.

Taking herbal remedies and supplements in liquid form is an easy and convenient way to get the nutrients one’s body needs. Liquid Herbal Extract Dietary Supplements taken regularly in addition to a healthy diet, promote optimum health and well-being.

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Where to Buy Organic Mullein Leaf

Order your Organic Cut and Sifted Mullein Leaf directly from Starwest Botanicals, where we’re committed unwaveringly to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and supporting our communities from seed to shelf. You’ll also find Wildcrafted MulleinMullein Leaf Powder, and Organic Mullein Leaf Extract for all your herbal apothecary needs!

At Starwest, we offer an extensive, diverse, and carefully curated selection of premium-quality botanicals, organic herbs, delicious spices, tantalizing teas, and 100% pure essential oils. If you are passionate about highest quality ingredients and all the standards — from USDA Organic, to Non-GMO, Fairtrade, and more — you are in the right place.

Nature is filled with possibilities for wellness, discovery, and adventure — let’s explore together

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Bio

Molly McConnell is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner who is committed to cultivating collective wellness. Guided by curiosity, embodied listening, and the rhythms of nature, Molly’s approach to Ayurveda is intentional and intersectional. As the cofounder ofCultivate Balance, she supports purpose-oriented people to come home to their bodies and restore resilience through nourishment, ritual, and routine. For a more immersive experience,Connect with Molly 1:1 or check outThe Reset for Resilience.

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