Mullein

Description

This herb has a special affinity (attraction) for the respiratory organs and is a valuable remedy for all pulmonary complaints. It is the only herb known to man that has remarkable narcotic properties without being poisonous and harmful. A tall, stout, biennial, 1-8 feet tall with an attractive spike of yellow, sessile, cylindrical flowers, which appear in the 2nd year. The 1st year produces a rosette of large, fuzzy, gray-green leaves which are large, broadly oval, very hairy (felt-like). Stems are winged by decurrent bases. Found throughout the U.S. in clearings, fields, pastures, waste places.

Origin(s): Albania, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Europe, Italy, United States.

Latin Name(s): Verbascum thapsus

Also known as: Great Mullein, Velvet Plant, White Mullein, Bullock’s Lungwort, Shepherd’s Club, Hare’s Beard, Cow’s Lungwort.

Plant Part(s) Used: Leaf.

Appearance: Green.

Aroma: Leafy, senna-like, pleasant.

Taste: Leafy.

GMO Status: Non-GMO.

Allergen: None.

Additives: Free of any additives or preservatives.

Applications / Preparations: Can be put into capsules or infused as an herbal extract. For cosmetic use can be infused in oils for use in soaps, salves, massage oils, ointments & liniments. For aromatic use can include in incense blends.

Storage: Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.

Shelf Life: It is very difficult to pin down an exact expiration date for most single herbs as they do not really expire, they lose potency or strength over time but will still have value. Unlike synthetic material or drugs, herbs can contain many constituents that contribute to their medicinal effects. Even if when we know what the active constituents are, there are often many of them in a single herb, each with different rates of degradation. Some herbs lose their effect more easily. Other herbs that possess more stable compounds such as alkaloids or steroids will last much longer.

A huge part of the degradation rate of herbs depends also on the storage conditions of the herb, & even on the quality of the herb before storage – how it was grown, harvested, dried & processed. If the product is left in hot places or open to sunlight then it will degrade much quicker than if it was stored in cool, dry place & sealed tightly.

A good rule of thumb is that herbs should be stored no longer than 2-3 years but many herbs will have great strength much longer than that. To determine if a an herb is still good you can check the appearance & aroma. Herbs that are no longer acceptable will have lost much of its vibrant color & will instead appear dull & faded. The bigger key though is to smell the raw materials to see if the potent aroma is still present.

Note: Small hairs on mullein leaf may cause mechanical irritation in the mouth and throat if not filtered out of extracts prior to consumption. Don’t use the fresh leaf as toilet paper. 😉