What is Mullein?
Mullein is the name given to plants from the Verbascum genus, which belongs to the figwort family. It’s an Old World plant, introduced to North America during its colonization. Nowadays it’s a common plant in the United States Mullein can grow to between four and six feet tall, with a central stalk covered in flowers that protrudes upward from the center. Its leaves and flowers are covered with fine hairs, which help the plant retain moisture. Mullein for Respiratory Ailments Probably the most common use of mullein in alternative medicine is for the alleviation of respiratory ailments. Whether given as an infusion (tea), or smoked, mullein is said to relieve symptoms of asthma, cough and other respiratory problems, probably due to its mild narcotic effect. Other Medicinal Uses of Mullein Mullein worked into a tincture (an alcoholic extract) also has the ability to disinfect cuts and scrapes. As a poultice, it can also relieve pain and swelling associated with sunburn and surface infect
