Mullein: Earache. Gout, Lung & Bowels

[Guest guest]

Mullein

Botanical: Verbascum thapsus (LINN.)

Family: N.O. Scrophulariaceae

 

Medicinal Action and Uses

---Synonyms---

White Mullein. Torches. Mullein Dock. Our Lady's Flannel. Velvet

Dock. Blanket Herb. Velvet Plant. Woollen. Rag Paper. Candlewick

Plant. Wild Ice Leaf. Clown's Lungwort. Bullock's Lungwort. Aaron's

Rod. Jupiter's Staff. Jacob's Staff. Peter's Staff. Shepherd's

Staff. Shepherd's Clubs. Beggar's Stalk. Golden Rod. Adam's Flannel.

Beggar's Blanket. Clot. Cuddy's Lungs. Duffle. Feltwort. Fluffweed.

Hare's Beard. Old Man's Flannel. Hag's Taper.

 

---Parts Used---Leaves, flowers, root.

Coles, in 1657, in Adam in Eden, says that:

'Husbandmen of Kent do give it their cattle against the cough of the

lungs, and I, therefore, mention it because cattle are also in some

sort to be provided for in their diseases.

 

The Latin name Verbascum is considered to be a corruption of

barbascum, from the Latin barba (a beard), in allusion to the shaggy

foliage, and was bestowed on the genus by Linnaeus. The Cowslip and

the Primrose are classed together by our old herbalists as Petty

Mulleins, and are usually credited with much the same properties.

 

Gerard recommends both the flowers and leaves of the primrose,

boiled in wine, as a remedy for all diseases of the lungs and the

juice of the root itself, snuffed up the nose, for megrim.

 

All the various species of Mullein found in Britain possess similar

medicinal properties, but V. thapsus, the species of most common

occurrence, is the one most employed.

 

For medicinal purposes it is generally collected from wild

specimens, but is worthy of cultivation, not merely from its beauty

as an ornamental plant, but also for its medicinal value, which is

undoubted.

 

In most parts of Ireland, besides growing wild, it is carefully

cultivated in gardens, because of a steady demand for the plant by

sufferers from pulmonary consumption.

 

---Parts Used---The leaves and flowers are the parts used

medicinally.

Fresh Mullein leaves are used for the purpose of making a

homoeopathic tincture.

 

---Constituents---The leaves are nearly odourless and of a

mucilaginous and bitterish taste. They contain gum as their

principal constituent, together with 1 to 2 per cent of resin,

divisible into two parts, one soluble in ether, the other not; a

readily soluble amaroid; a little tannin and a trace of volatile

oil.

 

 

---Medicinal Action and Uses---The Mullein has very markedly

demulcent, emollient and astringent properties, which render it

useful in pectoral complaints and bleeding of the lungs and bowels.

The whole plant seems to possess slightly sedative and narcotic

properties.

 

It is considered of much value in phthisis and other wasting

diseases, palliating the cough and staying expectoration.

A plain infusion of 1 OZ. to a pint of boiling water can be

employed, taken in wineglassful doses frequently.

 

Fomentations and poultices of the leaves have been found serviceable

in haemorrhoidal complaints.

Mullein is said to be of much value in diarrhoea, from its

combination of demulcent with astringent properties, by this

combination strengthening the bowels at the same time.

 

A conserve of the flowers has also been employed on the Continent

against ringworm, and a distilled water of the flowers was long

reputed a cure for burns and erysipelas.

 

An oil produced by macerating Mullein flowers in olive oil in a

corked bottle, during prolonged exposure to the sun, or by keeping

near the fire for several days, is used as a local application in

country districts in Germany for piles and other mucus membrane

inflammation, and also for frost bites and bruises.

 

EARACHE

 

Mullein oil is recommended for earache and discharge from the ear,

and for any eczema of the external ear and its canal.

 

Dr. Fernie (Herbal Simples) states that some of the most brilliant

results have been obtained in suppurative inflammation of the inner

ear by a single application of Mullein oil, and that in acute or

chronic cases, two or three drops of this oil should be made to fall

in the ear twice or thrice in the day.

 

Mullein oil is a valuable destroyer of disease germs.

 

The fresh flowers, steeped for 21 days in olive oil, are said to

make an admirable bactericide. Gerarde tells us that 'Figs do not

putrifie at all that are wrapped in the leaves of Mullein.'

 

An alcoholic tincture is prepared by homoeopathic chemists, from the

fresh herb with spirits of wine, which has proved beneficial for

migraine or sick headache of long standing, with oppression of the

ear. From 8 to 10 drops of the tincture are given as a dose, with

cold water, repeated frequently.

 

 

---Preparation and Dosage---Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm.

Formerly the flowers of several species of Mullein were officinal,

but Mullein no longer has a place in the British Pharmacopoeia,

though Verbascum Flowers were introduced into the 4th Edition of the

United States National Formulary, as one of the ingredients in

pectoral remedies, and the leaves, in fluid extract of Mullein

leaves, made with diluted alcohol were directed to be used as a

demulcent, the dose being 1 fluid drachm.

 

In more ancient times, much higher virtues were attributed to this

plant. Culpepper gives us a list of most extraordinary cures

performed by its agency, and Gerard remarks that:

 

'there be some who think that this herbe being but carryed about

one, doth help the falling sickness, especially the leaves of the

plant which have not yet borne flowers, and gathered when the sun is

in Virgo and the moon in Aries, which thing notwithstanding is vaine

and superstitious.'

 

A decoction of its roots was held to be an alleviation for

toothache, and also good for cramps and convulsions, and an early

morning draught of the distilled water of the flowers to be good for

gout.

 

Mullein juice and powder made from the dried roots rubbed on rough

warts was said to quickly remove them, though it was not recommended

as equally efficacious for smooth warts.

 

A poultice made of the seeds and leaves, boiled in hot wine, was

also considered an excellent means to 'draw forth speedily thorns or

splinters gotten into the flesh.' We also hear of the woolly leaves

being worn in the stockings to promote circulation and keep the feet

warm.

 

The flowers impart a yellow colour to boiling water and a rather

permanent green colour with dilute sulphuric acid, the latter colour

becoming brown upon the addition of alkalis.

 

An infusion of the flowers was used by the Roman ladies to dye their

hair a golden colour. Lyte tells us, 'the golden floures of Mulleyn

stiped in lye, causeth the heare to war yellow, being washed

therewithall,' and according to another old authority, Alexander

Trallianus, the ashes of the plant made into a soap will restore

hair which has become grey to its original colour.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes