Common Mullein or Great Mullein, also known as Verbascum Thapsus, is a type of weed commonly found in Europe, Asia and Native America. It is currently being brought to the Americas and Australia. It is usually found in “waste” places such as roadside, gravel, sand and chalk.
Great Mulleins are biennial, meaning that they live only for two years. For the first year, the plant produces a rosette, a circular collection of leaves. The leaves differ in sizes and shapes that could reach up to 50 cm long and 14 cm wide. During its second year, it grows 1-2 meters tall and produces a single stem. This single stem contains leaves that grow larger alternately as they reach the base. A thin layer of trichomes or hair that gives the plant a silvery appearance covers the whole plant. Near the tip of the stem, grows stalkless yellow flowers about an inch wide. These flowers each have five petals and bloom from June to September.
Vebascum Thapsus is popularly known for it’s primary use as an aid for the treatment of pulmonary and bowel conditions. The leaves, which are odorless yet bitter in taste, are prepared as tea. The mixture is commonly used to relieve conditions such as dry cough and bronchitis by acting as an expectorant. To prepare the concoction, the leaves are filtered properly to remove hairs that can cause irritation. The dried leaves could be smoked in a tobacco pipe to help treat sore throat. It’s roots could be used to treat sores and skin infections such as athlete’s foot as well as relieve toothaches, cramps and gout. Topical application of the flower’s oil can help treat skin conditions such as warts, boils and hemorrhoids. On the other hand, it’s astringent properties is said to help strengthen the bowels to help prevent diarrhea.
Aside from their medical uses, Common Mulleins are also used as to create hair dye, candlewicks and torches. The flowers that grow from the plant provide the yellow or green color for hair dye, which was used as early at the time of the Romans. When placed in boiling water, the flowers give the yellow hue while a green color is created when the flowers are mixed with sulphuric acid. A brown color is made when it is mixed with alkalis. When dried, the leaves are used to make candle wicks while the stems are placed in wax to make torches.
Studies have shown that the Great Mullein can be applied to treat swollen breasts or mastitis. The plant works by decreasing the inflammation and pain. Though this is a useful treatment for the enlarged, swollen breast, it is not directly related to controlling hormones associated with increased breast size. Therefore, gynecomastia, a hormonal related enlargement of the breast may not be affected. While there is emerging data the suggest Common Mullein flower tincture can help treat medical ailments related to increased estrogen levels, further study is still needed to find out it’s benefits to gynecomastia treatment.
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