Mullein (verbascum thapsus l.): its use in folk tradition
Published on July 6, 2015 - Home
Mullein, scientifically known as Verbascum thapsus L., belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, is commonly referred to as Great Mullein. It is also known by various names such as Shepherd’s Club, Candlewick Plant, Velvet Plant, and King’s Candle. While the described species, Verbascum thapsus, is the most prevalent, other species include V. phlomoides, V. thapsiforme, and V. sinuatum.
Once Mullein blooms, its striking spikes of yellow flowers stand tall on long stems, reaching up to 2 meters in height.
This biennial plant is large, with the first year marked by the emergence of large rosette leaves, densely hairy. In the second-year spring, the stems grow, generally single until the height of the inflorescence.
The flowers, large and yellow, cluster in numerous cymose inflorescences along a large floral axis. Flowering begins with the terminal flower of the lower small spike, followed by the terminal flowers of the upper spikes and simultaneously the lower lateral flowers. This creates an apparently disordered inflorescence. The calyx is divided into five narrow lobes, and the corolla is funnel-shaped, approximately two centimeters wide.
The fruits are about a centimeter long capsules, with tiny gray seeds.
The basal leaves are up to thirty centimeters long, twelve centimeters wide, elliptical, and narrow at the base. Cauline leaves run along the stem, reducing in size as they ascend. All leaves are stiff, flat, with an entire margin or tiny hidden teeth, concealed by dense leaf fuzz. The hairs are whitish-gray, a couple of millimeters or slightly more in length, and branched.
Flowers can be harvested when still in small inflorescences, although only the yellow corollas, covered with shorter whitish hairs like those on the leaves, are preferred. The corollas possess 5 stamens, with the upper 3 having a shorter, curved filament covered in yellow, long, and soft hairs, from which the three reniform anthers protrude. The lower 2 stamens have a straight filament, glabrous or slightly hairy.
Mullein thrives in dry, rocky, well-drained soil and full sun. It propagates by seed, and under favorable conditions, it self-seeds. Much of the mullein used in herbalism comes from plants cultivated in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Egypt.
The medicinal part comprises leaves and flowers containing mucilage, saponins, phytosterols, and traces of essential oil. Its primary use is as an expectorant due to the saponins, while mucilages soothe irritated mucous membranes. Flavonoids exert a mildly diuretic action, and the related glycosides seem to have anti-inflammatory activity.
Mullein tea is an ancient remedy for coughs or colds, valued for its mucolytic and expectorant properties. The beverage should be meticulously filtered through a dense mesh cloth to remove even the slightest residue of potentially irritating fuzz.
In Italian folk use, besides tea, the plant was applied externally to treat acne, resolve mastitis, and serve as a cosmetic to enhance hair shine and blond color. Additionally, the flowers were the foundation for preparing an ointment to heal chilblains, while fresh leaves were placed as healing agents on wounds.
Mullein boasts various nicknames; the plant’s spikes resemble sticks, hence in English, several common names refer to this characteristic (Shepherd’s Club). Another English name, Candlewick Plant, reflects its practical use. During the Middle Ages, the fuzz from leaves and stems was collected and dried to make lamp wicks. Another popular name is “Velvet Plant” for the softness of its leaves, resembling a bunny’s velvety ears, and “King’s Candle” (in Germany) as its tall dry stem was used as a torch in Roman times. In the past, leaves were used as emergency toilet paper (something to consider when venturing into the woods) or placed in shoes to relieve fatigue during walks.
A popular belief suggested that jaundice could be cured by urinating on the mullein plant. During urination, the patient had to repeat the phrase: “Great Mullein, I give you my flavor, and you give me your color.” In another version, the patient had to repeat for three consecutive mornings: “Velvet Plant, Velvet Plant, I find you dry and leave you dry, give me your color while I give you my flavor.”
ANJA LATINI
Registered Herbalist at RNEP No. GLT0018S
