Mullein, a plant that grows in dry, barren areas, was used for centuries due to the exceptional medicinal qualities that it contains. Most often seen in North America, its healthy properties are located in its leaves, roots, and blossoms, and it’s been successful in helping with a number of health issues, particularly respiratory illnesses (its most popular use).
You can purchase loose leaf mullein leaves to create your own personal tea, or you can use them to create your own personal pastes to utilize topically around the skin. Even better, develop your own personal plants in your home garden! The leaves, stalks, and flowers are edible, however, the seeds are considered poisonous and have an all-natural pesticide. Thus, remember to avoid consuming them.
You can also get mullein in supplement form, should you prefer to go that route.
Top 4 Mullein Benefits
Helps With Respiratory Issues
The College of Maryland Clinic states that 3g of mullein taken per day aids the body in clearing mucus from your respiratory tract and can be utilized to deal with respiratory diseases including cough and lung congestion. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association urges the use of mullein leaves, as well as mullein blossoms, for helping to ease the pains in those suffering from emphysema, whooping cough, and asthma. The leaves can also be utilized to stop a cold in its tracks, and they ease respiration issues.
Pain Alleviation
External application of the leaves might also soften and safeguard the skin. They are often utilized to deal with bruises and burns. Confer with your physician before utilizing this herb topically for any sort of pain, although no important negative effects have been reported.
Mullein is Antiviral
The herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus cause a number of illnesses in the body which range from genital herpes and shingles to specific carcinomas. Influenza viruses, though, are usually in charge of most people know as the flu. Mullein can help with all of these due to its antiviral properties. You should speak to your primary health care provider to know if mullein might be used to hasten your recovery from illnesses like the herpes and flu viruses. Though it should be noted that the total effect of these antiviral processes from the mullein plant is not yet known.
An Alternative Tuberculosis Treatment
In the past, it was considered that mullein could cause a complete healing of tuberculosis if employed in the initial phases of the illness. Nowadays, it’s known that mullein has antibacterial and expectorant qualities, each of which are essential in curing TB. It’s been examined against other microorganisms with tremendous success, and other crops of the exact same species as mullein are specially examined against mycobacteria with positive outcomes. It should be mentioned that mullein itself hasn’t been examined widely against mycobacteria, which is what causes tuberculosis. More studies are necessary, but mullein is showing a lot of promise when it comes to fighting tuberculosis naturally.
Potential Mullein Side Effects
Skin Effects
While mullein leaf is typically a safe herbal nutritional supplement to make use of, the College of Michigan Wellness System does state that skin discomfort could result from mullein use. Some reviews say that mullein leaf products may cause skin irritation, skin rash, or another undesirable skin issue when found in the appearance of a cream or liquid infusion solution meant for external use. Additional research to link these negative effects to mullein continues.
Respiration Issues
While uncommon, mullein leaf nutritional supplements can cause trouble breathing in a few select users. It has been suggested that mullein leaf side effects may cause tightness of the throat, tightness in one’s chest, problems with proper inhaling, and chest pain.