A recent posting regarding herbs asthma got responses mentioning mullein = making tea, inhaling it, etc. Is there a good way to administer this to a 7 year child? If I get mullein capsules (is there such a thing?) say, from Nature's Way, and the child takes these, would that help? Or a tincture? Or is it inhaling the vapors that is the best help?

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), October 01, 2001

Answers

We gather the leaves, and dry them about this time of year. For severe congestion we smoke it, or inhale the smoke from it. Usually just take a leaf or two in a small pan and set them on fire. They smoke mostly rather than burn. Set the pan on the table and bend over the pan then inhale the smoke. Sometimes I put a towel over my head to contain the smoke. Two or three deep breaths usually starts to clear things up.

We have used capsules too, we dry the leaf, then grind it in the blender; then load it into capsules.

Also we have made a tea with it, just boil some of the leaves until it looks like a tea and drink the stuff. I use honey in it because it has a sort of unplesant taste.

When someone asks "what are you smoking?" you can say, just some "herb". Bear in mind that it has been more than 50 years since I was a 7 year old.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), October 01, 2001.

Smoke might be a little harsh for a young asthmatic. I would suggest the steam inhaler route, unless the steam would also adversely affect the child. The tea is always a good choice, and the previous poster was right about the taste, so add a little mint or lemon. Also, the leaves are very fuzzy and some folks, like my DH, can't abide the floating "hairs" that inevitable end up in the tea (he says they give him a tummy ache) so it might be wise to filter the tea through a cloth napkin or metal coffee filter . A paper coffee filter may take out too many of the essential oils, but you could try it.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), October 03, 2001.

Is all Mullein the same? I saw on another thread someone mention that the leaves were about the size of a hand, but I had it growing all over the land we had in Tennessee and the leaves were much larger. I thought it was just a weed and used to dig it up! Thanks.

-- Annie (mistletoe@kconline.com), October 03, 2001.

Christina -- While I haven't tried the mullein for my 7yo's severe asthma, I have found that following a strict dairy-free diet has helped considerably. Also -- ginger tea when he's congested (a surefire precursor to an asthma attack!) helps.

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), October 08, 2001.

The above answers are good except for a child, smoke would not probably be as good. Mullein leaves can get as large as over a foot in length. On the smaller plants, they are smaller, but I had a Grandaddy of a mullein once that had leaves at least 2 feet in length and the plant was at least 8 feet tall. My suggestion would be to use it in a tea with other herbs like chamomile or lemon balm. Or, if your not opposed to it, an excellent remedy for chest tightness is coffee. You can infuse the mullein in some hot coffee, strain it and give that, or just give the coffee. Unless it's a life threatening situation. Coffee does not work as fast as the bronchodilators do, but it is excellent for this. I use it myself and it takes maybe about 10 minutes to see relief. I am a Respiratory Therapist and have been in the field for over 20 years. If more people would use these herbal remedies and save the bronchodilators for emergency situations, we would probably see a lot less children and adults in the emergency rooms.

-- Diana (rock_hunter83@hotmail.com), December 30, 2001.

the flowers are your best bet. dry, if you can dry them without losing the yellow color. you can put them straight into an edible oil or a drinkable alcohol to make a tincture. be sure to look out for pollinators so they can be left to assure more mullien plants instead of drowned in your tincture. mullien contains a natural insecticide and should be used with care. research it on the net.

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), December 31, 2001.