Great Mullein

This large genus of some 360 species of annuals, biennials, perennials, and subshrubs is distributed throughout Europe, N Africa, and W and C Asia. Verbascum thapsus is a stately plant, with wooly foliage and tall spires of yellow flowers. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, including dry, stony soils, and is equally at home in borders, banks, walls, or gravel areas. Verbascums have been used medicinally for respiratory complaints since Classical times, but none is well researched. Verbascum densiflorum (large-flowered mullien) contains iridoid glycosides, similar to those found in Plantago major (See, Common Plantain), that stimulate the secretion of uric acid from the kidneys. Several species, including V. densiflorum, V. nigrum (dark mullien), and the rare V. phlomoides (orange mullein) are used in similar ways to V. thapsis.

Robust biennial with obovate-oblong, gray-green, wooly leaves, to 50cm (20in) long, forming a basal rosette in the first year. Yellow, 5-petaled flowers to 3cm (1¼in) across, are borne in summer in a dense terminal spike.


Common Name:
Great Mullein
Other Names:
Aaron's Rod
Botanical Name:
Verbascum thapsus
Genus:
Verbascum
Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Native Location:
W Europe; naturalized in N America
Cultivation:
Well-drained to poor dry soil in sun. Verbascum thapsus self-sows freely in suitable conditions. Foliage is highly susceptible to caterpillars of the mullein moth. Subject to statuatory control as a weed in some countries, notably in parts of Australia.
Propagation:
By seed sown in late spring or early summer; by root cuttings in late winter. May also be grown as an annual by sowing in early spring at 13-18°C (55-64°F).
Harvest:
Leaves and flowers are collected in summer and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, and tinctures. Flowers may also be used fresh or frozen for use in infusions, medicated oil, and syrup.
Height:
2m (6ft)
Width:
1m (3ft)
Hardiness:
Z5-9
Parts Used:
Leaves, flowers
Properties:
A bitter, cooling, mucilaginous herb that soothes and lubricates tissues, promotes healing, and has diuretic, analgesic, expectorant, and antiseptic effect.
Tarot:
Four of Swords
Medicinal Uses:
Internall for coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, laryngitis, tonsilitis, tracheitis, asthma, influenza, respiratory mucus, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections, nervous tension and insomnia. Externally for earache (flowers in olive oil), sores wounds, boils, rheumatic pain, hemorrhoids, and chilblains. Combines well with Marrubium vulgare (See, Horehound), Lobelia inflata, (See, Indian Tobacco), Tussilago farfara (See, Coltsfoot) for bronchitis, and with Thymus vulgaris (See, Common Thyme) for coughs.
Economic Uses:
Leaves are smoked alone, or with Eriodictyon californicum (See, Yerba Santa) and Tussilago farfara (See, Coltsfoot), as a substitute for tobacco.
Bibliography:
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995,2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg. 401