Scrophulariaceae
Verbascum thapsus
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Flower
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Petal
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Useful
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Herb |
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Common Mullein on:
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| Other Names for this Plant |
Adam's Flannel, Beggar's Blanket, Candlewick Plant, Flannel Mullein, Hag's Taper, Velvet Dock, Woolly Mullein
Found all over Europe and in temperate Asia, as far as the Himalayas. In North America it is exceedingly abundant.
The leaves (first season) at the base of the stem form a rosette of numerous, large, 6 to 15 inches long and up to 5 inches broad, but become smaller as they ascend the stem, on which they are arranged on alternate sides. They are whitish with a soft, dense mass of hairs on both sides, which make them feel very furry and thick.
The root is a long taproot with a fibrous outer cover and fleshy inside. The flower-spike (second season) has been known to attain a height of 7 or 8 feet, covered with densely crowded, sulfur-yellow, flowers about an inch across with five rounded petals. Blooming during July and August.
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What's This?
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Tounge Order (Mints) |
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Main, Real, Two First-Leaves (Dicots) |
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Real, Two First-Leaves (Dicots) |
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Half Capsule Seed Division |
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Magnolia Division |
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Seed Plants |
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Multiple Spore Sub-Kingdom |
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Multicellular Land Plants |
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Cells with a Nucleus |
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Medicinal Uses: An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of a wide range of chest complaints and also to treat diarrhea and bleeding of the lungs and bowels. Great Mullein oil is a very medicinal and valuable destroyer of disease germs. An infusion of the flowers in olive oil is used as earache drops, or as a local application in the treatment of piles and other mucous membrane inflammations. This infusion is a strong antibacterial. The oil being used to treat gum and mouth ulcers is very effective. A decoction of the roots is used to alleviate toothache and also relieve cramps and convulsions. It is also used in the treatment of migraine headaches accompanied with oppression of the ear.
The whole plant has slightly sedative and narcotic properties. The seeds are mostly used as a narcotic and also contain saponins. The dried leaves are sometimes smoked to relieve the irritation of the respiratory mucus membranes, and the hacking cough of consumption. They can be employed with equal benefit when made into cigarettes, for asthma and spasmodic coughs in general. Externally, a medicinal poultice of the leaves is applied to sunburn, ulcers, tumors and piles. A decoction of the seeds is used to soothe chillblains and chapped skin.
Other Notes: An old superstition existed that witches used lamps and candles provided with wicks of Mullein in their incantations, and another of the plant's many names, 'Hag's Taper', refers to this. Both in Europe and Asia the power of driving away evil spirits was ascribed to the Mullein. Being a sure safeguard against evil spirits and magic, and from the ancient classics, it was this plant which Ulysses took to protect himself against the wiles of Circe.
The flowers provide dyes of bright yellow or green, and have been used for hair dye
Warning: The whole plant possess slightly sedative and narcotic properties. The seeds are considered toxic. They have been historically used as a narcotic and also contain saponins
Common Mullein
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Common Mullein
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Common Mullein
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Common Mullein
1st year rosette
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Common Mullein
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Common Mullein
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Common Mullein
2nd year plants
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| Comment:
Common Mullein, Verbascum thapsus |
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