how to harvest mullein

The most sustainable way to forage for and harvest mullein is to find the fuzzy leaves in the spring time and harvest them before the flower stalk starts to shoot up when the weather gets very warm. While you can still harvest the leaves from the stalk once it matures, it's best to use tender, young leaves.

Does mullein come back every year?

Sometimes called verbascum, this group of plants is made up of many different varieties. Most types of mullein are perennials, coming back year-after-year, some plants are biennials and come back for a couple of years, and a few mulleins are annuals.

Is mullein edible?

Those leaves are where the primary value of mullein lies, as an edible plant, a medicinal, and as a bushcraft plant. Mullein is not an ideal edible, but it is safe to eat and nutritious. The biggest barrier to eating them is, of course, their texture. They'll make almost anyone gag when eaten raw.

What can I do with dried mullein?

To make mullein tea, pour a cup of boiling water over a small amount of dried mullein flowers or leaves. Allow the tea to steep for five to 10 minutes. Sweeten the tea with honey if you don't like the bitter flavor. Make a poultice by grinding dried flowers and/or leaves to a fine powder.

How do you care for a mullein plant?

Tips for Growing

It prefers full sun and dry soil. Mullein needs space. The plant grows from 6 to 10 feet tall unless you purchase one of the new cultivars that reach only 5 feet. To prevent mullein from spreading in the landscape, you need to remove the fuzzy rosettes that appear on the plant.

Is mullein poisonous?

Is mullein toxic? Yes, mullein contains toxic principles. The root, seeds and, to a lesser extent, the leaves of the plant, contain poisonous components. For this reason, neither roots nor seeds should be used for medicinal purposes.

Can you use mullein as toilet paper?

Great mullein is an excellent toilet paper alternative

One of the best toilet paper alternatives is great mullein (Verbascum thapsus). It has been used for this purpose for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The leaves are soft, large and have no toxic properties.

What are the side effects of mullein?

Side effects

Some species of mullein may cause contact dermatitis , a skin reaction that can cause itching, rash, and irritation. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions, be sure to do a patch skin test before using mullein on your skin.

How does mullein help your lungs?

Mullein has been used traditionally as a remedy for the respiratory tract, including bronchitis. It works as an expectorant, meaning it helps expel mucus. Expectorant herbs help loosen bronchial secretions and make elimination of mucus easier.

Can you smoke dried mullein leaves?

It's an expectorant, meaning that it helps in breaking up respiratory congestion and promotes productive coughing. Since Mullein has no flavor, it makes a great base for an herbal smoking blend. Mullein that is too dry won't smoke smoothly, so add a little moisture and rub the leaves together for the best result.

Is mullein a narcotic?

The whole Mullein plant possesses slightly sedative and narcotic properties. Mullein seeds are considered toxic. They have been historically used as a narcotic and also contain saponins.

How do you dehydrate mullein?

Open a window or turn on a fan to provide air flow around the leaves and speed up the drying process. Dry the leaves for three days. Turn over each leaf and dry them for an additional three days. Spread the mullein leaves out on a drying screen.

How long does it take to dry mullein leaves?

- Mullein leaves will take 5 to 8 hours to dry in a dehydrator. Place the leaves in a single layer on dehydrator trays and turn on the machine.

Can you freeze mullein leaves?

Whole/flat leaves can be frozen to preserve them as future poultice material. Fresh or dried leaves can be used in an alcohol extract.

Where can I get mullein?

Presently, mullein can be found at health food stores often prepared as soothing leaf tea or an ear oil made of the infused flowers.

Is mullein a perennial?

This plant, also known as wooly mullein, is an herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial with a deep tap root. In the first year plants are low-growing rosettes of felt-like leaves. ... In the second year plants produce a flower stalk 5-10 feet tall.

What is mullein root used for?

Mullein is used for cough, whooping cough, tuberculosis, bronchitis, hoarseness, pneumonia, earaches, colds, chills, flu, swine flu, fever, allergies, tonsillitis, and sore throat. Other uses include asthma, diarrhea, colic, gastrointestinal bleeding, migraines, joint pain, and gout.

How does mullein spread?

The seeds are dispersed mechanically near the parent plant during the autumn and winter. Seeds at or near the surface are more likely to germinate. Although common mullein can be very difficult to eradicate, there are a variety of management methods available, depending on the particular situation.

Can you take mullein everyday?

Dosing. No recent clinical evidence supports specific dosage of mullein; however, traditional uses of the herb suggest 3 to 4 g of flowers daily and 15 to 30 mL of fresh leaf or 2 to 3 g of dry leaf.

How often should I drink mullein tea?

Pour 1 cup of water over 1–2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaves or flowers. Steep it for 10-15 minutes before drinking. You can drink the tea three or four times a day.

Is mullein good for COPD?

Intravenous magnesium is known to be a powerful bronchodilator. The effect of oral magnesium supplementation in people with COPD has yet to be investigated. Mullein is traditionally used for its ability to promote the discharge of mucus and to soothe mucous membranes.