It is not native to the United States. Early European settlers brought the plant to the new world and introduced it to the native population which quickly took advantage of the many benefits.
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Other uses for this plant include as a remedy for complications to Lyme disease, urinary incontinence, recurring bladder infections, interstitial cystitis and to treat spinal and muscle injuries. It also has a mild narcotic effect on some people and has been used as a sleep aid and to relieve abdominal cramping.
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Stranger uses include as "wild" toilet paper or the placement or it inside of shoes to provide some comfort and warmth. However, small hairs can get stuck in your skin which is very uncomfortable. Native American tribes used it to make dyes and torches. It is highly flammable.
Mullein packs a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. It is high in iron and is a good source of Vitamins A, B-complex, C, and D, as well as calcium, potassium, magnesium, silicon, manganese, and sulphur.
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Here are some medicinal recipes:
Basic Mullein Tea
Ingredients:
1 - 2 teaspoons dried mullein flowers and leaves
1 cup boiling water
honey to taste
Directions:
Pour water over dried mullein flowers and leaves. Cover and steep for 10 - 15 minutes. Pour the liquid through a fine cloth or a coffee filter to strain out the plant's tiny hairs, which can irritate the throat. An alternative method is to place herbs in the center of a coffee filter and tie with plastic twist tie and then steep. You can drink up to 3 cups of mullein tea daily. Sweeten the tea with honey, if desired.
Note: You can use the basic tea without the honey as a steam to be breathed to improve lung function or in a nebulizer.
Cough Soothing Tea
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons dried mullein leaves
1 teaspoon dried Calendula flowers
3/4 teaspoon dried marsh-mallow (the plant)
1/2 teaspoon dried licorice root
1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon honey
Directions:
Cover herbs with one cup of boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Strain tea with a fine cloth or a coffee filter, then add the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1 tablespoon honey. Drink two to three cups daily for cough relief.
Ear Ache Drops
Ingredients:
1/4 cup mullein fresh flower
3 garlic cloves
olive oil
small jar with lid
Directions:
Chop the garlic into small pieces. Place fresh dry flowers in a blender or crush in a mortar and pestle. Place the garlic and mullein flowers in a small glass jar with a lid. Cover the mullein flowers with olive oil and allow to set in the sun for two weeks shaking daily, or heat over very low heat for 4 hours.
Strain the oil through cheesecloth and store your oil in a small dropper bottle in the refrigerator.
To use, warm the oil to body temperature and drop 2-3 drops in affected ear. If a perforated eardrum is suspected (oozing from the ear), do not use and seek medical attention. Can be used two or three times per day.
Note: Dried flowers can be used as well.
Asthma Blend Tea
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons dried mullein leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried plantain leaves
1 cup boiling water
Directions:
Pour water over herbs. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Pour the liquid through a fine cloth or a coffee filter to strain. You can drink up to 3 cups daily. Sweeten the tea with honey, if desired.
Mullein Cough Drops
Ingredients:
½ cup mullein leaves, packed
1 cup boiling water
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
Directions:
Cover leaves with boiling water and steep for one hour. Strain through a fine cloth or a coffee filter. Add brown sugar. Boil mixture until it reaches the soft candy stage and then pour onto a greased cookie sheet. With a knife, score out squares while the mixture is still soft. Cool completely and break into individual squares. Wrap each drop in waxed paper.
Notes: While the content of this blog has been tried/tested and the research diligently presented, I am not responsible for your use of it. Always try a little of the food first to test for allergies. Please do your own research. Discuss with your doctor before you use any herbal medications.