Mullein Leaves
verbascum thapsus
verbascum thapus
Scrophularace

Dried leaves and flowers, collected
midsummer before they turn brown.

Fresh Mullein leaves are used for the purpose
of making a homoeopathic tincture.

Medicinal Action and Use
Mullein has very markedly demulcent,
emollient and astringent properties,
which render it useful in pectoral complaints,
bleeding of the lungs and bowels.
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,
consumptives appearing to benefit greatly by its use,
being given in the form of an infusion, 1 ounce of dried,
or the corresponding quantity of fresh leaves being boiled
for 10 minutes in a pint of milk, and when strained,
given warm, thrice daily, with or without sugar.
The taste of the decoction is bland,
mucilaginous and cordial, and forms
a pleasant emollient and nutritious medicine for allaying
a cough, or removing the pain and irritation of haemorrhoids.
A plain infusion of 1 ounce to a pint of boiling water
can be employed, taken in wineglassful doses frequently.

Dried leaves are sometimes smoked in an ordinary
tobacco pipe to relieve the irritation of the respiratory
mucus membranes, and will completely control,
it is said, the hacking cough of consumption.
They can be employed with equal benefit
when made into cigarettes,
for asthma and spasmodic coughs in general.

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.

Fomentations and Poultices
Leaves have been found serviceable
in treating hemorrhoids.

Mullein is said to be of much value treating diarrhea.

Poultice made of the seeds and leaves,
boiled in hot wine, was considered
an excellent means to 'draw forth
speedily thorns or splinters gotten into the flesh.'

We hear of the woolly leaves
being worn in the stockings to promote
circulation and keep the feet warm.