Mullein Leaf: Benefits, Side Effects, and How to Take It

Mullein (Verbascum ) is a common weed used for centuries in herbal medicine. Herbalists often use mullein flowers and leaves to treat respiratory problems, digestive issues, and skin conditions, among other health concerns.

Mullein contains numerous active ingredients, including flavonoids and saponins with proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihypertensive properties, among others. But, there is very little evidence in support of using mullein to treat any medical condition.

This article explains the traditional uses of mullein in herbal medicine, how it is commonly administered, and what you need to know about side effects, precautions, and interactions when taking it.

Uses

The list of mullein's purported uses is long. However, much of the evidence supporting these uses is weak.

Many studies evaluating mullein have been performed in vitro (i.e., in a test tube) rather than in humans. Though we can learn many things from in vitro studies, we won't know the full effects of mullein until further human trials are complete.

Lung and Respiratory Health

Traditionally, mullein has been used to treat a handful of lung and respiratory conditions, particularly:

• Hoarseness
• Tonsillitis
• Cough and cold
• Asthma
• Bronchitis

For the purpose of relieving these conditions, mullein is typically consumed in liquid form as an infusion or syrup. It is used alone or in combination with other herbs, like mint, rosemary, hawthorn flower, or pine leaves.

Plant compounds in mullein are known to have antitussive (cough-reducing) and expectorant (mucus-thinning) properties. Mullein also contains ursolic acid, a substance that some researchers believe could be used to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection.

With that being said, most beneficial flavonoids in mullein have poor bioavailability, meaning that the human body cannot absorb them easily. More research is needed to determine what use, if any, mullein has in treating respiratory illness.

Ear Disorders

Mullein is used as a traditional treatment for earache due to its analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. Sometimes, mullein extracts are included in ear drop formulations to treat ear infection. Indeed, mullein is known to have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

In traditional practice, there are a few ways mullein is prepared for ear issues. An ointment may be made from the leaves then applied to the ear canal for pain relief. Or, mullein flowers may be infused in olive oil then used as ear drops to treat infection.

Again, there are no clinical studies evaluating the use of mullein as a treatment for ear pain and infection. More research is needed.

Burn and Wound Healing

Sometimes, mullein is applied directly to the skin to help treat burns or wounds. This is traditionally done by making an ointment from the leaves. A poultice made from mullein leaves and seeds may also be used to draw out splinters.

One of the only human trials for mullein available investigated the herb's use for episiotomy wounds. In the study, new mothers applied a mullein cream preparation on their episiotomy wounds twice a day for 10 days. The mullein cream enhanced the healing of episiotomy wounds.

Pain and Inflammation

One of the most common conditions that mullein is traditionally used to treat is osteoarthritis. The condition is characterized by destruction of cartilage and inflammation.

Mullein contains a variety of plant chemicals with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggests that one of these plant chemicals, an antioxidant called kaempferol, could help reverse cartilage destruction. It may also reduce the severity of pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition to easing arthritis-related inflammation, mullein has been used to treat:

• Gut inflammation
• Liver inflammation
• Swelling due to broken bones
• Inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis

Inflammation due to skin conditions or broken bones may be treated with a mullein leaf ointment, while gut, liver, or arthritic inflammation may be treated by consuming droplets of a mullein water or oil infusion.

Diarrhea

For people with diarrhea, mullein leaves and flowers are typically infused in water then consumed. Diarrhea is usually related to some sort of infection. Diarrhea also causes inflammation in the body. Both concerns can supposedly be remedied with preparations of mullein, but like most other purported benefits, this has not been proven with human studies.

Health Properties

Overall, there is very little scientific evidence to suggest that mullein is an effective treatment for any health concern. It is clear, though, that mullein has many healing qualities that could potentially be used in medicine.

Mullein contains flavonoids, saponins, and other actives that are individually proven to be:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-cancer
• Anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure)
• Antiseptic and antimicrobial
• Astringent (constricts pores, limits sebum production)
• Diuretic (promotes urine production)
• Pain-relieving
• Emollient (moisturizing)
• Expectorant (clears mucus from airways)
  
• Spasmolytic (relieves muscle spasms)
  
• Wound-healing

How to Take Mullein

The mullein plant is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. If you have access to the plant, you can make an ointment using a pestle and mortar with olive oil, or you can infuse the weed in water or olive oil.

If you don't have access to the plant in nature, you can find mullein supplements in almost every form. Some of the more popular ways to consume mullein include the following:

Tea

Mullein tea can be found online and in stores. The tea is often a concoction of several parts of the plant, such as the roots, leaves, and flowers. It is generally marketed as a tea for relieving symptoms of respiratory illnesses like cold, asthma, COPD, and bronchitis.

Oil

Mullein oils are made by infusing parts of the mullein plant in oils of varying kinds. Olive oil seems to be the most commonly used carrier oil. Products that contain only mullein, and products that blend mullein with garlic, St. John's Wort, or other herbal extracts are available.

Mullein oils are marketed for many purposes. They can be used in cooking or added to drinks, applied as ear drops, or used topically on the skin. When choosing a mullein oil, take care to read the product's label carefully and use as intended.

Extracts

Mullein extracts come in the form of tinctures. The products are usually meant to be consumed orally. Depending on the product's directions, you may use it to drop mullein extract directly into your mouth, or you can add a few drops to your drink. Mullein extracts are commonly marketed as "lung cleanses" that provide respiratory and immune support.

Cream

Mullein creams and salves are produced for topical application to soften, soothe, and protect the skin. It is uncommon to find pure mullein creams—most are concocted with other organic and/or inorganic ingredients. If your skin is inflamed and irritated, consider doing a patch test to ensure none of the ingredients worsen your skin condition. To do a patch test, simply apply the mullein cream to small area of your skin then wait and see how it affects you.

Supplements

Mullein supplements have become more common online and in stores. They usually come in capsule form, and tend to be marketed as providing respiratory, bronchial, and immune support.

Side Effects

There are no common or severe side effects associated with the use of mullein.

According to one review of various herbs, mullein has no reported side effects. In another study, participants who used mullein for episiotomy wounds did not experience side effects after using it for 10 days.

Although there are no known adverse effects associated with the use of mullein, it's important to educate yourself about supplement safety before using any herb.

It is difficult for the FDA to effectively evaluate all supplements on the market. Therefore, many products out there are unregulated and haven't been tested for safety. This means the actual content of some products may not match their product labels.

It's also important to keep in mind that some supplements may not be safe for children, people who are pregnant or nursing, or people with certain medical conditions.

Similar Supplements

You may wonder if there are supplements on the market that are similar to mullein.

Many supplements claim to offer similar benefits. For instance, like mullein, vitamin C is thought to improve wound healing. This is because vitamin C contains antioxidants and other substances that are important to all phases of wound healing.

Zinc, an important mineral, may also help heal wounds, especially leg ulcers.

Other supplements that may work in similar ways include:

• Curcumin
• Peppermint oil
• Honey
• Magnesium
  

Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before starting new supplements or taking multiple supplements. They can advise you on potential interactions with medications or other supplements.

Summary

For some people, herbal supplements like mullein may relieve various symptoms. Although mullein appears to be fairly safe, it has not been proven effective in treating any health condition.

Proceed with caution and speak with your healthcare provider before starting mullein. When buying herbal products, look for brands whose products undergo testing by third parties such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or the National Science Foundation (NSF).