Tinctura verbasci Mullein tincture 30ml (Verbascum thapsus)

The great mullein, common mullein (Scrophulariaceae) is a hairy biennial plant that can grow to 2 m tall or more. Its small, yellow flowers are densely grouped on a tall stem, which grows from a large rosette of leaves. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, but prefers well-lit, disturbed soils, where it can appear soon after the ground receives light, from long-lived seeds that persist in the soil seed bank. Species of mullein native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia, and introduced in the Americas and Australia.

Although commonly used in traditional medicine, no approved drugs are made from this plant. It has been used to make dyes and torches.

The most outstanding medicinal characteristic of mullein is its effect on all diseases of the respiratory system. Great mullein has a calming effect, promotes expectoration, reduces irritation. It fights against various causes of inflammation and pain. The leaves and flowers of mullein contain saponins, natural substances that relieve coughs and help expel mucus from the lungs.

Medicinal properties of great mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and its preparations, specially mother tincture (Tinctura verbasci, lungworth tincture) are well known for numerous  beneficial properties for human organism and its raspiratory organ ~ lungs. 

Great mullein can effectivelly help with;

• colds
• flu
• angina
• pneumonia and bronchitis
• catarrh in the lungs
• chest pain, and even asthma

Verbascum thapsus is a good medicine against allergies because it coats the respiratory organs with its mucus, thereby physically protecting them from the absorption of allergens and thus reducing the risk of an allergic reaction. In severe cases of lung disease, mullein leaves can be ignited and inhaled. It should be noted that it does not contain harmful ingredients such as tobacco.

Phytochemicals in V. thapsus flowers and leaves include saponins, polysaccharides, mucilage, flavonoids, tannins, iridoid and lignin glycosides, and essential oils. The plant's leaves, in addition to the seeds, have been reported to contain rotenone, although quantities are unknown.

 

Natural help against fungus and bacteria

 

Preparations from mullein have been used for centuries in the fight against various infections caused by fungi and bacteria. This is why great mullein is very interesting to scientists.

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to its phenolic compounds.

Research has shown that mullein extract works against a number of harmful organisms, many of which are resistant to conventional drugs:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Bacillus subtilis
• Micrococcus luteus
• Enterococcus faecalis
• Escherichia coli
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Klebsiella pneumonia
• Vibrio cholera
• Enterobacter coccus
• Aspergillus fumigatus

 

The conclusion is that mullein has great antibacterial potential. Macerate of mullein is a traditional preparation against ailments caused by microbes and inflammation. It is especially valued as a medicine for inflammation and ear pain, and it also helps dissolve excess cerumen and herpes, wounds, eczema, stings, and frostbite. It is also used for eye inflammation, bone and muscle pain, and hemorrhoids.

 

Traditional medicine and uses of great mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

 

Although long used in herbal medicine, no drugs are manufactured from its components. Dioscorides first recommended the plant 2000 years ago, considering it useful as a folk medicine for pulmonary diseases. Leaves were smoked to attempt to treat lung ailments, a tradition that in America was rapidly transmitted to Native American peoples. The Zuni people, however, use the plant in poultices of powdered root applied to sores, rashes, and skin infections. An infusion of the root is also used to treat athlete's foot. All preparations meant to be drunk have to be finely filtered to eliminate the irritating hairs. 

Oil from the flowers was used against catarrhs, colics, earaches, frostbite, eczema, and other external conditions. Topical application of various V. thapsus-based preparations was recommended for the treatment of warts, boils, carbuncles, hemorrhoids, and chilblains, amongst others. Glycyrrhizin compounds with bactericide effects in vitro were isolated from flowers. The German Commission E describes uses of the plant for respiratory infections. It was also part of the National Formulary in the United States and United Kingdom.

Roman soldiers are said to have dipped the plant stalks in grease for use as torches. Other cultures use the leaves as wicks. Native Americans and American colonists lined their shoes with leaves from the plant to keep out the cold.

Mullein may be cultivated as an ornamental plant. As for many plants, (Pliny the Elder described it in his Naturalis Historia), great mullein was linked to witches, although the relationship remained generally ambiguous, and the plant was also widely held to ward off curses and evil spirits. The seeds contain several compounds (saponins, glycosides, coumarin, rotenone) that are toxic to fish, and have been widely used as piscicide for fishing.