Mullein - "The Golden Torch"
Name, Origin & History:
Mullein, Latin name - Verbascum thapsus, is a plant that you may recognize... in a yard, along a roadside, in a field, or any other disturbed areas (railroads, ditches). Originally native to Europe & Asia, this plant has taken residence all over the world, including North America. Some consider it an invasive species that must be controlled. I consider it a valuable medicine and teacher to us all.
I love learning about naming origins of plants. It gives me insight to its story, characteristics, uses & how to identify it. Verbascum comes from the Latin word, barba or barbasco - AKA, "the bearded one." If you have ever felt a mullein leaf, you will agree, it feels like a fuzzy, stubbly beard. There are little white hairs that grow on the leaves and the stalk of the plant. The French / Celtic word, moleine simply means "yellow." The Latin word, mollis translates to "soft." So, to begin, we know we are dealing with a bearded, soft, yellow plant of sorts. The plant's leaf arrangement is a rosette, around the base of the plant. As the plant matures, it grows a single, large, dense, often woody stalk from the middle of the plant, with alternating leafs around the stalk. Historically, these stalks were harvested, dipped in tallow, and used as fire torches. The leaves & flowers have historically been used for many medicines, as well as in ceremony of many First Peoples / Nations / Indigenous Cultures of North America.
*I honor the First Peoples as the original stewards of the lands, plants, animals & waters of what we now refer to as, "The United States of America."
Herbal Medicinal Action Definitions:
Astringent - tightening, toning & binding of tissues. Helps reduce irritation & inflammation of tissues.
Expectorant - promoting the secretion of sputum / mucus via air passages (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, sinuses). Loosening & expelling of mucus from respiratory tract.
Demulcent - an agent that is slippery, slimy, mucilaginous that coats itself over an inflamed or irritated area in the body - internally or externally. It helps to protect, soothe, palliate, and sometimes, heal.
Tonic - a plant that is typically taken regularly, in small-moderate doses, over a period of time, to "tonify", or strengthen, a specific body part or body system.
Toxicity & Contraindications of Mullein:
Pregnancy & Lactation - consult a trained professional (Naturopathic doctor, Midwife, Certified Herbalist) before beginning any herbs during such an important time.
Possible skin irritation due to fuzzy hairs
Parts of Mullein used in Medicine:
leaf
flower
Herbal Actions & Characteristics of Mullein:
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of mullein is LUNGS. Within the herbal community, at large, mullein, especially the leaf, is known as a supportive herb for the lungs and respiratory system. It can considered a lung "tonic", as well as herbal support for respiratory-related symptoms. It acts as an expectorant, especially helpful when there is a picture of an unproductive or irritable cough, or spasmodic / paroxysmal coughing spells lacking much progress. It can help soothe spasming & pain from a cough, as well as potentially loosening the mucus, allowing a cough to be more productive & functional.
Below, explains that the leaf & flower of mullein varies in their herbal actions and characteristics. If you sit with mullein, using all of your senses and studying its nature, this may begin to make more sense. The leaves are furry, dense, and create that "sticky" astringent feel in mouth. With a little nibble of the leaf, it may just make you cough! The flower, on the other hand, is smooth, moist, petal-like nature to it, leaving a more demulcent feel in the mouth...
Mullein Leaf - more astringent, toning of tissues
Mullein Flower - more demulcent, soothing to tissues, including the respiratory system, nervous system & integumentary system.
Flower Power
The yellow coloration to the mullein flowers also indicates the presences of flavonoids within them. (Flavus is the Latin word for yellow.) Flavonoids demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities at the biochemical level. Another common use for mullein flower is in an oil infusion for irritation and inflammation of the ear canal and ear drum.
*Doctor's Note - Never put anything in your ear unless you have had a trained medical professional confirm that there is no tearing / perforation of your ear drum. You do not want to introduce oils & other substances into your inner ear. Risks include but not excluded to infection, irritation, dizziness, nausea, vertigo and hearing loss.
More of That Yellow "Golden Torch" Energy...
Beyond herbal actions & botany above, yellow is the color that really stands out with mullein. According to Ted Andrews' book, Animal Speak, yellow represents communication, optimism and inspiration. I highlight inspiration as it is connected with the respiratory action "inspire", to inhale or breath in.
In the traditional Ayurvedic chakra systems, yellow is associated with the Solar Plexus chakra. The solar plexus chakra holds the golden energy of wisdom, optimism (again!), uplifting, illuminating and connecting to one's own personal power. I highlight illuminating as mullein has historically been used as a literal illuminating tool = a torch. Beyond literal meaning, I think of illuminating as an action "to bring light" to areas where there is darkness, confusion, & lack of clarity.
This brings me, last, but certainly not least, to the energetics of mullein. In particular, I would like to illuminate you all with the flower essence medicine of mullein. In my opinion, this is a much needed medicine for many of us in this year of 2020...
According to Diana Pepper of Tree Frog Farm, "Use (mullein flower essence) when you are going though a difficult time, falling into discouragement, grief, fear, worry or suffering." Further, "Mullein Flower Essence invites you to use the strength and constancy of the sun to access courage, joy and internal peace during challenging times. It encourages you to trust that even during the darkest night the sun will rise in the morning."
A mantra that she pairs with mullein's essence - "I AM courage and internal peace during challenging times."
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Just take a moment to inspire.... and exhale........ l AM courage and internal peace during challenging times.
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Mullein - "invasive" or "essential":
Here we are, in conclusion, of an article on a so-called "invasive species." In conventional society / culture, I so often observe plants to have notorious reputations of being identified as "pest", "weed", "invasive", and something that must be pulled out or sprayed. Yet, many of these plants hold incredible stories, medicines, nutrition and benefits to the ecosystems in which they thrive. Take mullein, for example. It takes up residence in places that have been disrupted, where restoration is needed. Places that are often too inhabitable for many other plants to grow. It will literally grow in rock and sand. In the meantime, it will prevent erosion, overgrazing, and attract pollinators. And, of course, as this article explains, there are all the wondrous things it does medicinally. Here is a plant that soothes physical symptoms connected to Covid19 infection (and many other viruses), as well as emotional symptoms connected to Covid19 pandemic (& everything else that has / is occurring in 2020)... I see mullein as an "essential worker in the natural world" despite it being "invasive" (AKA - an immigrant to this land). And maybe, that is where we begin... Recognizing the deep value of a plant, despite its origin, when you take a moment to lean in and be curious.
In Inspiration, Courage & Peace,
Dr. Sarah Sue