What Is Mullein Tea?
Mullein is a flowering plant that has long been used in herbal medicine. Scientifically named Verbascum thapsus, it originally grew in Europe and Western Asia but has now spread to other places as well, including the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. It thrives in a wide range of environments, including meadows, chaparral, deciduous forests, and evergreen forests. Due to its ability to grow in rocky soil, it may even be found as a weed in gravel pits or next to the side of the road.
It’s a biennial plant, which means it lives for two growing seasons. During its first season, it forms a gathering of fuzzy leaves, and in the second, it sends up a tall stalk with small yellow flowers.
Herbal medicinal practitioners use the flowers, leaves, and roots of mullein for a few different purposes, but more study is needed to prove their efficacy and safety from a scientific perspective.
Benefits of Mullein Tea
Mullein can be used as a supplement, but it’s commonly taken as a tea, brewed with hot water to extract some of its nutrients and benefits. Here are some of its benefits:
May help with breathing issues
Herbal medicine specialists, naturopaths, and other types of health practitioners may recommend mullein for:
- Asthma
- Cough
- Common cold
- Bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Mullein is an expectorant, which means it helps the body expel excess mucus. It usually works by helping make your coughs more productive, allowing you to clear mucus from your chest or throat. It is also a demulcent. Studies show that demulcents create a soothing anti-inflammatory coating over mucous membranes. Demulcents contain a higher amount of mucilage than other plants. All plants produce at least a little of this sticky substance, which offers relief to the mucous membranes.
Both these qualities make it useful for soothing irritation of the lungs, throat, and bronchial passages. Mullein, like other herbal medicines used for cough, also may ease cough in other ways. For example, it may work directly on your brain’s cough center, which is located in the medulla oblongata, a part of your brain stem. The cough center connects to nerves elsewhere, including receptors in your respiratory passages. Herbal medicines like mullein may target these receptors.
Whatever the potential benefits, there has been very little study on these effects in a medical setting. So, more research is needed to find out the best application of mullein to ease respiratory distress.
May help fight viral infections
Test-tube studies have shown that mullein may have some strong antiviral effects. One study showed it was particularly useful against the influenza virus. Others have suggested it might be useful in fighting a strain of the herpes virus. Because these were both test-tube studies, more research is needed to be sure of its effectiveness in people.
May help fight bacterial infections
Because mullein has some antibacterial properties, early research shows that mullein may be useful in treating middle ear infections in children. Instead of tea, the treatment consists of ear drops with mullein, St. John's Wort, and garlic in oil or glycerin. However, more research is needed to find the best way to treat ear infections with mullein. There have been no scientific studies on this particular treatment thus far.
Mullein in different forms, such as extracts, oils, and tea, might help protect against other types of bacterial infections, including:
Bacillus cereus. This is a type of bacteria found in soil and in many food products, such as meat, vegetables, dairy, and more. Raw or cooked foods that are not stored or cooked properly may contain this bacteria, and eating them may cause diarrhea or vomiting. Research suggests mullein may reduce the growth of B. cereus but does not treat food poisoning caused by it.
Staphylococcus aureus. Some research shows that mullein may offer protection from S. aureus, a type of staph infection that most commonly causes skin infections.
Escherichia coli. This bacteria can cause food poisoning. Researchers suggest mullein may halt the growth of E. coli.
Klebsiella pneumoniae. Commonly found in human poop, this bacteria can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, infections in wounds or the site of incisions made for surgery, and meningitis. Some experiments suggest that mullein may inhibit this bacterium.
May reduce inflammation
Inflammation normally occurs when you get sick or injured. That’s because it’s part of your body’s immune response and helps you heal. That’s a good thing. But if inflammation remains ongoing (chronic), it can cause harm. It’s been linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. You can protect your health by lowering inflammation with diet and lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, getting good sleep, and quitting smoking.
Mullein may help curb inflammation. That’s because it contains certain plant chemicals (phytochemicals) called flavonoids, such as luteolin, quercetin, and apigenin, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemicals are chemicals found in plants that protect them from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. You may gain some of those benefits by eating plants with these protective chemicals. However, your body does not do a great job of absorbing quercetin and other phytochemicals when you eat and digest herbs such as mullein, so it’s unclear how much healing power they’ll provide you.
Mullein Tea Nutrition
Nutrients per serving
Mullein is usually brewed as a tea. Most tea has just 2 calories per cup and 1 gram of carbohydrates. However, adding milk, lemon, or sugar will change the nutrient profile. For example, one teaspoon of sugar has 16 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates.
Portion sizes
Tea is generally a low-calorie beverage, but adding dairy or sweeteners can make it a high-calorie and high-carbohydrate drink. If you are trying to watch your calorie or carbohydrate intake, be aware of how much you are adding to your drink. Some may consider using a low-calorie or no-calorie sweetener or a plant-based milk option to keep added calories and carbs on the lower side.
Mullein Tea Side Effects
Currently, there aren't many known side effects or drug interactions for this herb. Rarely, some people may get a skin rash after handling mullein plants. While it's generally considered safe, more study is needed to confirm if it is safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. When making mullein tea, be sure to strain it carefully. You can use a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth to do this. Tiny hairs on the plant can irritate your throat if they’re not strained out.
How to Make Mullein Tea
To make mullein tea, you can use commercially prepared mullein tea bags or dried loose leaves. Pour one cup of water over one to two teaspoons of dried mullein leaves or flowers. Steep it for 10-15 minutes, then strain it through a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth before drinking. Straining will remove tiny hairs on the leaves so that they do not irritate your throat. You can drink the tea three or four times a day.
What does mullein tea taste like?
It can vary. Some describe it as slightly bitter and earthy, while others say it’s mildly sweet and similar to peppermint.
Takeaways
Mullein tea has many potential benefits. It may ease your cough, help fight infection, and reduce inflammation. However, little research has been done to confirm its effectiveness. It’s unlikely to cause any harm, as it's generally considered safe, but as with any herbs and supplements, you should consider talking to your doctor before you take it.
Mullein Tea FAQs
Can you make mullein tea with fresh leaves?
Yes. You can make mullein tea with either fresh or dried leaves.
Is mullein tea good for smokers?
The tea may help you cough up mucus that collects in your lungs if you’re a long-term smoker. However, you should quit smoking to improve your health and lower your risk of lung cancer and other health issues caused by smoking.
What is mullein tea good for?
It may ease a cough as well as some of the symptoms of lung conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. It may also reduce inflammation and protect against infection.
Does mullein clean your lungs?
Mullein can loosen phlegm in your lungs, making it easier to cough up.
Who should not use mullein?
Mullein is generally considered safe, though there’s not enough research to say if it should be used during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before you take it.
