MULLEIN

First year mullein plant growing beside the potatoes.

Medicine plant for cold and cough
Heal the skin at rapid pace
Healing plant in the garden
Protection for person and space

This year we had a mullein plant volunteer in the garden.  Since we were in the process of redoing the garden, I just left it where it was.  It was a beautiful addition and its broad spread kept the weeds out of a section that wasn't being used.  What a beautiful gift that unintended plant became.  When it was time to start preparing the garden for the end of the season, I harvested the plant for medicine.  So, now is a good time to write about mullein.

Mullein is a biennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia.  It has become naturalized in the United States, where most people consider it to be a weed.  It is often considered to be invasive.  It is a reasonably easy plant to recognize for wild sourcing, but check your favorite guide for a positive ID.  It is a fuzzy leafed, grey-green plant that grows in a low rosette the first year.  The second year, it shoots up a flower stalk that is about three feet tall with yellow flowers.  Every part of this plant has medicinal value.  Some parts of the plant have utilitarian value.
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Freshly harvested mullein root. Time to wash it.

Mullein is best known as a medicine plant.  It is often used as a tea for coughs and colds.  It can also be used for skin irritations and infections, but it can cause contact dermatitis.  The flowers and roots also have medicinal value.  As with all herbal remedies, consult a good herbal, like 20,000 Secrets of Tea, an herbalist, or medical practitioner.

There are some interesting practical uses for mullein as well.  It has been used to line shoes for comfort and warmth.  The stalk dipped in tallow makes a torch.  The dried leaves can be used as tinder.   It makes a wonderful garden mulch and conditioner, adding vital nutrients for the next year's growth.  It can also be used for cleaning and as a toilet paper.  However, I'm not sure that I would choose to use it on sensitive skin.

Like most powerful herbs, mullein has a number of energetic uses.  It is believed to encourage divine and spiritual connection.  It is used to repel evil and bad intent.  Warriors use it to enhance courage.  If you like divination and dream work, mullein might help.  It is said to enhance and encourage intuition.  Mullein is used for ritual offerings and purification of people and spaces.  It is said to attract both fairies and butterflies, and halt bad luck.
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Mullein root tincture mid brew.

Right now, I have a rosette of leaves drying.  Later, they will be stored for tea.  I chopped the roots and am currently soaking them in vodka.  It is turning out to be an interesting experiment.  In another month or so, the tincture will be ready, just in time for flu season.